Hybrid News

The Opel FLEXtreme Concept

The E Flex Drive that powers the Chevy Volt will make its way into Europe, as an Opel, in 2011 according to multiple reports. While the final design of the concept has not been hammered out, it will not look like the Volt. Nonetheless, it could share some Volt design cues that were driven by the aerodynamics.

In the past, GM has displayed the Opel FLEXtreme as one design idea for the Opel E Flex vehicle. However, this design might be as plausible in the wind tunnels as was the original Chevy Volt concept.

In the interim, GM is going to be working with European leaders to develop plug-in stations for the modern urbanites in Europe without garage access.

Original post by Dahcredyns

The Volt made a recent publicity stop at NASCAR

For many Americans, the Chevy Volt has become the savior of the US auto industry. A made in America foreign oil dependency freedom fighter. And, one day, it might just be that, but not any time soon.

In the interim, however, can it change the perception of GM and its ability to build quality automobiles?

Finish: Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?

Original post by Dahcredyns

A Dodge plug-in concept at NAIAS 2007

Has Chrysler killed Chevy Volt hype?

Since the Volt debut in 2007, GM has reiterated over and over how they were accomplishing something almost inconceivable. Concept to reality in little more than 3 years. And, not just your standard concept. A range extended electric vehicle.

Yet, all the while, Chrysler has been quietly keeping pace. Of course, that statement isn’t fully true. Chrysler’s plug-in vehicles probably won’t be launched as unique plug-in only models, such as the Volt. So, Chrysler’s results are not as impressive.

Nevertheless, Chrysler’s quick pace demonstrates that plug-ins aren’t that hard to build. The real issue for both Chrysler and GM is, as it has always been, can these vehicles be powered with reliable, cost effective batteries that can be economically produced in great numbers? Unfortunately, that still won’t be known even in late 2010 when these vehicles launch.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, At Witz End

People are most critical of the things they least understand. - Paul W. Spoor, Bits & Pieces, September 2008.

Why is it so important to some to cast GM as a villain? To believe that the only reason we don’t have affordable, practical pure-electric vehicles today is that GM doesn’t want us to?

Why is it so difficult to believe that General Motors is not the same sadly mismanaged company it was in the 1970s and ’80s? That it’s a completely different enterprise run by completely different leaders with completely different values and priorities?

Why so difficult to accept that if GM - or anyone else - could make a buck building and selling the EVs of your dreams, they would be thrilled to do so? And will the minute they can?

As GM (and others) have learned from past, very expensive failed attempts, volume road-worthy EVs require a huge financial investment, and risk. But whoever gets there first with practical, affordable ones will make a killing. Why would any automaker not want to?

And why accuse me of lying or spinning, as some will, for explaining and defending - based on my knowledge and experience - GM, Ford, Chrysler, anyone else who deserves it?

I worked for GM two different times, the first (1965-’73) when it led the global industry and was as proud and arrogant as the day was long. The second (1987-’02) when it teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, learned humility and appointed different kinds of leaders to fix it. In between, as a widely published auto writer, I was as harsh a critic as anyone. I hammered GM’s leadership and its products relentlessly, because both were shamefully bad.
But that began to change when Bob Stempel replaced Roger Smith as CEO in 1989 and gained momentum in 1992 when new CEO Jack Smith (no relation to Roger) effectively started to right the still-sinking ship. It’s been rough and rocky sailing since, but - contrary to what many believe - GM leadership under current CEO Rick Wagoner has been outstanding.

Like other U.S. makers, they still can’t make a living in North America due to high costs, our business-unfriendly government and other conditions beyond their control. But there have been no bad new GM products this decade, and most are world-class competitive, or better. As an employee, I had no great love for GM. As a journalist (again), I’m professionally neutral and objective. But as a former insider, I gained perspective on GM and the industry as a whole that no one who hasn’t been there could understand. Also enormous appreciation for the smart, talented, dedicated, hard-working individuals who toil there 10-14 hours every day.

That said, I’ve responded to some of your questions about my previous columns after the jump.

Continue reading At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Q&A

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Original post by Gary Witzenburg

Filed under: Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Honda, Toyota

Bloggers love environmentally friendly cars. Or so it seems, according to research performed by J.D. Power and Associates. The most commonly referenced brands in blog posts over the last six months are Toyota, Honda and General Motors. This shouldn’t come as shocking news, considering that the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Chevy Volt are all hot topics right now and are all expected to be thoroughly redesigned or first introduced within the next few years. Naturally, then, these are the brands that are getting the most publicity and are likely the ones that you are most interested in hearing about.

Not all of the blog posts were positive, though, and JDP therefore kept separate numbers for each manufacturer counting how many good things were written about their sustainability and efforts to reduce global warming. The surprising winner of that group was Nissan, though that brand only got two percent of all mentions overall. We blog, they watch, we blog. Fun!

[Source: The Car Connection]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Only about battery capacity, not actual EV range, nor real world fuel economy?

The Senate has passed a new tax bill that will provide tax credits for plug-in hybrid vehicles ranging from $2,500 - $7,500, depending on the vehicle’s battery capacity. To be eligible for the credit, such plug-in vehicles must store at least 6 kWh’s of electricity.

So, battery capacity, not actual EV range nor real world fuel economy, is how Congress judges plug-in quality? Does that really make sense?

Finish: $7,500 plug-in hybrid tax credit passes Senate - Too favorable to Volt?

Original post by Dahcredyns

The Dodge Zeo - One of three plug-in concepts Chrysler showed in Detroit

Next week, according to reports, Chrysler will provide dealers with “insight into business strategies” for the future that includes Chrysler’s next generation plug-in hybrid vehicles. No further details are available.

While interesting, it seems hard to believe that Chrysler could be anywhere close to where GM is today with such electric vehicles, which means many more years for Chrysler to even catch up to GM.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Lutz originally wanted the Volt to be a pure electric vehicle

On Tuesday I was part of a group interview with Bob Lutz whom told reporters that originally he wanted the Chevy Volt to be a pure electric vehicle. However, John Lauckner, GM vice president of global program management, convinced Lutz that a range extended vehicle would be far better as it would overcome “range anxiety”, which Lauckner believed would limit the success of the Volt.

Lutz also reiterated that he greatly dislikes the design of the Toyota Prius calling it “reverse chic” - so ugly that it has become cool.

More interesting, however, Lutz expressed his surprise that so many still doubt lithium’s reliability. Lutz stated that tests are indicating that the Volt’s battery pack could be far more reliable than originally expected, mitigating potential warranty costs to GM.

Finally, the mali-mule - the original Volt test vehicles - are soon to be replaced. By the end of the year GM hopes to have about 50 Cruze-mules that will be outfitted with far more E Flex electric drive components.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Volt fuel economy with the AC on?

How is the EPA going to assess the fuel economy of the Chevy Volt? That’s a good question, as the EPA doesn’t have a methodology yet for plug-in hybrid vehicles. When they do, will it be accurate?

According to GM, the Chevy Volt will achieve 40 miles of electric power before using gasoline to generate new electricity to power the Volt. But, what happens if you drive fast? Accelerate fast? What if you are a heavy AC user?

Finish: Chevy Volt fuel economy in question

Original post by Dahcredyns

Never a dual mode Malibu, or other car?

I’m not a fan of big SUVs, but my test drives of the Chevy Tahoe hybrid have left me quite impressed. While I don’t advocate big SUVs, the technology powering GM’s dual mode hybrid vehicles is quite remarkable. I just wish it was in pickup trucks and cars, rather than large SUVs that most consumers really don’t need.

Fortunately, GM will put this hybrid technology in trucks soon, a very smart hybrid application. Unfortunately, this technology will probably not ever find its way into GM’s cars or sedans. Yesterday’s AutomotiveNews claimed that, currently, GM has no plans to make such hybrid vehicles. And, even if they did, it would take at least two years to roll out.

The future of hybrid cars, as far as GM is concerned, is either E Flex, such as in the Chevy Volt, or a lithium-powered BAS, or mild hybrid system.

Original post by Dahcredyns

All about design and technology

Tomorrow, GM will celebrate its 100 year Anniversary by focusing on the future. The future, according to CEO Rick Wagoner, is about just two things: design and advanced powertrains.

“We have to do everything good, and there are two things we have to do better than anything else,” Wagoner recently was quoted in the Detroit Free Press. “We have to do a great job with design - design in and of itself and design of great brands - and the second thing is advanced propulsion technology and the alternative fuels, because of the way the world’s going.”

Thus, GM will be holding a number of broadcasts from its GM next website, http://day.gmnext.com, for anyone interested, including a chat session that gives participants a chance to ask Bob Lutz some questions.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily, At Witz End

NOTE: If you missed them, you can read parts one and two.

High tech development, market launch and retreat

Because its 1,175-pound pack of 27 advanced lead-acid (PbA) batteries - 26 propulsion, one for accessories - held a mere half-gallon of gasoline-equivalent energy, the production EV1 would have to be an incredibly efficient teardrop-shaped two-seater to achieve even barely acceptable range. Stretching it to accommodate four passengers would have reduced its already very modest range some 25 percent due to added weight and aero drag.

“The fundamental variables are mass, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, accessory loads and driveline efficiency,” says Bob Purcell, who was our Advanced Technology Vehicles (ATV) Div. Executive Director. “So the exercise was to ensure that we would meet all customer requirements using the least possible energy in each of those areas.”

Continue reading after the jump.

Continue reading At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Part III

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Original post by Gary Witzenburg

Battery replacements in the warranty

Thus far, whenever GM discusses the ongoing lithium ion battery tests for the Chevy Volt, it’s all sunshine. Yet, GM is also assuming that many Volts will need to have their lithium battery packs replaced while under warranty. But, no worries, lithium costs will quickly come down, at least that’s GM’s position, but is GM assuming too much, or demonstrating bold leadership?

Finish: 2 battery packs for every Volt

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, GM, HCCI, Lightweight

Click above for more early images of the production Chevy Volt

It’s no secret that we appreciate what General Motors has been able to do with just two-liters. The direct injected and turbocharged mill powering the rear-wheel drive Solstice GXP and Sky Redline along with the front-wheel drive HHR SS and Cobalt SS models is an excellent one. What’s more, its 260 horsepower represents 130-horsepower per liter, the highest ever from a GM production engine and on par with the best from the world. Expect to see more of this kind of technology from new GM engines along with more six-speed transmissions. Also expect an ever-higher percentage of aluminum to appear in all engines from all manufacturers.

GM also has plans for diesels and hybrids. The upcoming 4.5-liter diesel for full-size trucks and SUVs manages to weigh about seventy-five pounds less than other diesels of similar size. On the hybrid front, Automotive News says that GM will offer one new hybrid per quarter for the next four years — that’s sixteen new hybrids. That number would not include the Volt, a car which GM considers fully electric with a range-extender, and is something we’ve heard for a while now.

GM is also hard at work on HCCI engines, which we have covered extensively and offer the promise of diesel-like economy with the ability to use gasoline. Fuel cells are still on the table, though we’d imagine that today’s tough financial times could slow down the development of GM’s hydrogen plans. We’ll take the trade-off of an HCCI engine over a hydrogen fuel cell as it would likely have a much larger impact and be ready for primetime much sooner.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Volt and Cruze will share engines

There has been a lot of buzz about GM’s commitment to the Chevy Cruze, a small vehicle that could achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

I know. I know.

Highway fuel economy is far over-rated. The real question is, can this car get 30 mpg in the city?

Still, I don’t want to hammer or to focus on the Cruze. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s more than a step. The direct-injected, turbo-boosted engine that will power the Cruze, will be the same engine that powers the Chevy Volt. Likewise, it might also power the Vue - the same Vue that will soon come in a dual mode hybrid version and a plug-in hybrid version.

Finish: GM’s future - A convergence of synergies

Original post by Dahcredyns