[bro1999]

I signed up for the panel a year or 2 ago, and I've been getting surveys here and there since then. Most of the surveys are rather bland (what do you think about the name of this described feature?) stuff like that, but the one I got yesterday was very interesting.

It was titled "EV Power Train Tradeoffs". I believe that only Bolt EV owners received this survey, as the Bolt was specifically mentioned in a lot of the questions.

The first half of the survey tossed me questions such as how important I considered towing capability for an EV, questions about what maximum % range loss I would find acceptable during winter months, what % of battery degradation I found acceptable over a 3 year period, what minimum range a vehicle needed for me to consider buying a new EV today (150/200/250/300/400). I think there was also a question about whether I would buy a luxury version of a Bolt.

2nd half of the survey gave me a couple dozen questions that included specifications fictional BEVs, to include range (150-400 miles), 0-60 time (4-10 seconds), battery degradation over 36 months (5-15%), fast charging speed (90 miles/30 min - 200 miles/15 minutes , annual operating costs ($500-1500), 1 pedal or 2 pedal driving, and the price compared to an equivalent gas car.

Here is one of the fictional cars I was presented (I'll take this one today!):

upload image

I gave range, fast charging, and battery longevity priority when responding to the questions.

Seems GM's plan for 20 new EVs in the next 5 years statement was not just a dog and pony show and they are serious about it, unlike some other companies in...oh, Silicon Valley that promise the world and deliver nothing but disappointment.

 

[CYAOPEC]

Yea, I received mine last night. Some of the questions seemed bizarre like the 3/7 minute charge times. What technology available in the next five years will allow that? For the next Bolt/EV all I want is maybe a 5-7k price cut, increase range by 20-25% and increase the DCFC charging from 50kWh to 100+ kWh. I don't want science fiction. If everyone who takes the survey says they want 300-400 miles at the price of an ICE vehicle with 3 minute recharge times then GM might conclude that no one wants a BEV with lower specs.

 

[DonC]

Interesting. Personally I'd rather have comfort and convenience and more safety than performance but we know performance sells.

If everyone who takes the survey says they want 300-400 miles at the price of an ICE vehicle with 3 minute recharge times then GM might conclude that no one wants a BEV with lower specs.

I think we want this at HALF the price of an ICE vehicle. And don't forget the 3.5 second 0-60 time, seating for seven, and lots of storage space.

 

[dannycamps]

I hope you guys answered the 'acceptable % of battery degradation over three years' question with 0%.

 

[canehdian]

I hope you guys answered the 'acceptable % of battery degradation over three years' question with 0%.

Given it supposedly charges extra quickly, I would deem 5% in 3 years as acceptable with the caveat that it is only due to fast charging putting stress on the battery and that it is significantly less when charged "slowly" on L2 only.
0% is unrealistic unless the battery is only used like a volt, in which case you'd need an enormous battery to get that far with only 2/3 being used at a time.

 

[Mostovnik]

Yeah, did mine this morning. I think aside from range, battery deterioration and lost range when cold are top concerns for the automakers. I would hope one day EVs will have close to the same range after 5 years of ownership as when new.

 

[CYAOPEC]

Given it supposedly charges extra quickly, I would deem 5% in 3 years as acceptable with the caveat that it is only due to fast charging putting stress on the battery and that it is significantly less when charged "slowly" on L2 only.
0% is unrealistic unless the battery is only used like a volt, in which case you'd need an enormous battery to get that far with only 2/3 being used at a time.

Nah, I keep my Bolt's state of charge between 30-70% six days a week. So I kind of "simulate" my Volt's battery SOC. I charge from 4 to 7 am every morning, which gives me 20 kWh for my commute. I would no more keep my Bolt's SOC at 100% then I would add 5.53 cents of gas every day to keep my ICE vehicle 'topped' up. Whether or not that will give my Bolt's battery the same longevity as my Volt is yet to be seen. But it can't hurt and I certainly don't need 200+ miles of range 'at the ready' every day.

 

[canehdian]

Nah, I keep my Bolt's state of charge between 30-70% six days a week. So I kind of "simulate" my Volt's battery SOC. I charge from 4 to 7 am every morning, which gives me 20 kWh for my commute. I would no more keep my Bolt's SOC at 100% then I would add 5.53 cents of gas every day to keep my ICE vehicle 'topped' up. Whether or not that will give my Bolt's battery the same longevity as my Volt is yet to be seen. But it can't hurt and I certainly don't need 200+ miles of range 'at the ready' every day.

That's fine, but per the specs of the quoted vehicle, their battery degradation number will match all the other criteria.
Obviously you could mimic a volt and greatly extend that within that window, but you're getting less range.
You would not be receiving the quoted 300 miles (more like 120), and you would not be charging in 3-15 mins all the time.
GM quotes the degradation number as a worst case because they don't want to be sued/paying for replacements when it's worse.
In order to get 300 miles using only 40% of your battery you'd need an enormous pack to say only 0-1% degradation in 3 years.

So I'm saying yes, if used like you use your bolt, then 0-1% is reasonable.
If used everyday as listed in the specs above (long range/deep discharge, fast recharge), then yes, 5% is reasonable.

 

[sosmerc]

Great to see that GM may really be getting serious about what people want in a BEV. They offer a great range of ICE vehicles currently, so why not offer a great range of BEV's to replace them? .......

 

[kdbvolt]

To anyone who received the survey: Any questions on size of vehicle? Vs. price? that is where I am at now, so I will be considering the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in vs. the CT6 Plug-in with cost really pushing me toward the Pacifica.

 

[sosmerc]

To anyone who received the survey: Any questions on size of vehicle? Vs. price? that is where I am at now, so I will be considering the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in vs. the CT6 Plug-in with cost really pushing me toward the Pacifica.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Pacifica could offer 75-100 mile EV range AND offer AWD? Currently, it just doesn't offer enough EV range to be compelling.

 

[edk-austin]

Ok, so I got an invite to join the GM Owners Advisory Panel (GMOAP) too recently. And joined. But seems to me that any GMOAP discussions are confidential. Discussing them here would be means of dismissal. Maybe I'm too paranoid from corporate America (the day job).

 

[Steverino]

I understand that one survey was about level 5 totally autonomous vehicles. As in, no steering wheel.