[prowler1]

that's OK, I'm going to leave mine empty (if I can).

 

[Joe30]

prowler :
that’s OK, I’m going to leave mine empty (if I can).

I Second that opinion!

 

[Constantin2]

Yes I will live mine empty to ! You sdoul better size up the battery at least a 100 miles like the GM EV 1 had back in 1995 !
SOLAR POWER + ELECTRIC CARS = FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN OIL !

 

[250volts]

Somethings are best left to speculation. It keeps the excitement quotient high

 

[Rashiid Amul]

I like the original 600 miles better.

But it is still better than Tesla.

 

[genfixer]

OT Toyota's got more problems. Prius has brake problems too.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toyota-hit-by-over-100-Prius-apf-61349719.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=&ccode=

 

[RRRB]

For those of us who loved the concept, the diminished range of the real Volt is a big let down. On this "feature" the Volt moved from a WOW car to one that is just a bit below average. Really disappointing.

 

[Brad4]

I would have loved the 600 mile range. Because the point of getting this car is to avoid the gas station as much as possible. Now when I visit the inlaws I will have to stop and fuel up on the way unless I take our Ford Escape Hybrid then I can fuel up after we get there.

 

[nasaman]

I continue to believe GM would be wise to enlarge & partition the tank with a spare section ....remember the spare tank the original VW Beetle used instead of a fuel gauge to save the cost of a fuel gauge?

The added steel needed would be negligible in cost and a simple dash-controlled solenoid valve could increase the tankage from say 8 to 14 gallons if the driver planned an extended trip.

Added cost of parts/material? I'd estimate <$50* Added value? Priceless to answer Ford's >700mi range for the Focus Hybrid and for extended travel with minimal stops to refuel!

* I'd gladly pay $100 more to have the spare tank capacity as an option!

 

[twist]

I'm sticking with 7.8 gallons as my guess for tank size.

The Volt CS mode testing started sometime in the middle of 2009. GM had determined the tank size they wished to use. Testing began. The figure of "over 300 miles total" was already released to the public. We know that the battery will commonly provide 40 miles. And less when stressed by climate control systems such as the standard cabin heater.

Let's call "over 300 miles range" = "330 miles". With the battery providing at least 30, leaving 300 to fuel.

The Volt must have been achieving just about 300 miles on 7.8 gallons of fuel. The reason being that an aggressive air dam was added to the aero. This ensured the 300+ fuel range number. GM had the option of going with a larger tank. By cutting into trunk space or rear seat head room. Or by simply adding the areo adjustment.

As 250 volts post # 4 states. Some things are best left to speculation. It's fun to play with the numbers.

=D~

 

[Jim I]

My guess would be 8 gallons.

45 MPG X 7 gallons = 315 miles + 1 gallon, becuase you would not want it to run completely empty to get the range....

So what would be the reasons to keep the tank small?

1. Engineering - Stale gas might be more of a problem than anyone is letting on.
2. Sizing - If the tank is bigger, the fold down seats may not work well.
3. Weight - Every added gallon weighs about 6.25 lbs + the additional weight of the tank. Why make the electric drive system haul extra weight around and reduce AER range?
4. Safety - Do you really want 15-20 gallons of liquid fuel sitting next to a giant battery pack that under some weird failure event, could possibly produce a lightning size spark?
5. Practicality - This car is really designed to be a daily commuter vehicle with extended range, not a car to make regular long distance trips across the country. So why put in a 20 gallon gasoline tank?

I really doesn't matter to me. With my driving requirements, and with an 8 gallon tank, I will only be buying 7 gallons of gas every four or five WEEKS! That works!!!!!

NPNS

 

[Koz]

Unless GM has a better use for the space, I don't understand why they don't make the tank as large as possible and let the range fall where it may. From the images it sure looks like the tank coud be up to 12 gallons without a problem. Personally, I'ld rather have trunk space than tank volume but the images don't show it to be a either/or scenario.

Perhaps since the gas will be used so infrequently by many owners, it is a special tank and extra volume is expensive. If so and the volume is otherwise unused then maybe a larger tank could be an upsell option. There are some pretty strong opinions about the value of longer range here and that could translate into extra margin for GM.

 

[BillR]

I also believe that GM has commited to making the Volt with a completely sealed fuel system, thus eliminating evaporative emissions.

I'm not sure how they will accomplish this, but I'm sure it adds complexity and cost to the Volt (with a secondary advantage that the fuel won't go stale as fast).

Every gallon of fuel tank reduction may be significant, as the tank may have to include some provision for fuel expansion and contraction with ambient temperatures.

Since I believe the Volt will get ~60 mpg in CS mode, I expect a 6 gallon gas tank, which gives 300 miles of range in CS mode, with 1 gallon in reserve.

 

[DaveG]

prowler : that’s OK, I’m going to leave mine empty (if I can).
The gas engine needs to run periodically or it will stop working. The Volt does this automatically.

If you want a pure BEV, the Volt may not be what you want.

But if you want a car that replaces 90% of your gas use, has no range issues, works in cold weather, and runs on E85, then the Volt is spot on...

 

[Tom_Crowley]

Ok
I'm getting to old to sit in a car for more then 4 hours
not sure about the rest of ya.
40 mile on the battery then 300 mile on gas
I can handle that.
Remember that GM stated when the Volt was announce that most people commute 40 miles or less to work, so I think the Volt was more of the car you would drive Monday - Friday and any long trips would be in the other car or broken down into short runs

 

[bluebomber06]

I don't see all the fuss over the fact that the Volt will "only" have a 300 mile range with the fuel tank, instead of 700 miles. Most people's driving habits are going to work and back, for which the electric range will be plenty. When you take the car on a long road trip, a 300 mile range with fuel will be more than enough - I don't know about you, who amongst us can drive 700 miles without stopping to stretch and use the washroom?! ;-)

 

[Koz]

nasaman : I continue to believe GM would be wise to enlarge & partition the tank with a spare section ….remember the spare tank the original http://gm-volt.com/2010/02/03/the-c...-be-sized-to-deliver-300-miles-of-gas-range/# used instead of a http://gm-volt.com/2010/02/03/the-c...-be-sized-to-deliver-300-miles-of-gas-range/# to save the cost of a fuel gauge?The added steel needed would be negligible in cost and a simple dash-controlled solenoid valve could increase the tankage from say 8 to 14 gallons if the driver planned an extended trip. Added cost of parts/material? I’d estimate <$50* Added value? Priceless to answer Ford’s >700mi range for the Focus Hybrid and for extended travel with minimal stops to refuel!* I’d gladly pay $100 more to have the spare tank capacity as an option!   (Quote)

$100 cost add to MSRP given your scenario seems low to me. Would you be willing to pay $400 if the larger tank volume were an option?

 

[kdawg]

nasaman : * I’d gladly pay $100 more to have the spare tank capacity as an option!
Just fill a portable tank and put it in the trunk?