Ron Schenone

Chevrolet Volt – Shocking Solution

Posted by on Sep 25, 2007 | 4 Comments

Over at GM they have a concept vehicle called the Chevrolet Volt that GM claims will put them in the lead for gasoline alternative vehicles. If you believe the hype, GM states that in 5 short years they will be the leader in producing such this super efficient vehicles which will run on a variety of different fuels. On their site they state:

The New Electric Vehicle

Introducing a new kind of electric vehicle — Concept Chevy Volt. It’s unlike any previous EV (electric vehicle), thanks to its innovative rechargeable electric drive system and range-extending power source. It can be configured to run on electricity, gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. So you have at least a couple of options for the most efficient drive — all made possible by GM’s innovative E-Flex Propulsion System.

Concept Chevy Volt is just another way Chevy is working to bring you drivable and practical vehicles that help decrease our dependence on petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This major advancement in existing technology will make it possible for those short, up to 40-mile or less commutes to be gasoline-free.

There are a few statements that caught my eye. One was “advancement in existing technology”. To me this seems like a stop gap measure. Existing technology still requires the use of oil based products to some extent, to produce the alternative energies.

The other statement “So you have at least a couple of options for the most efficient drive”. Yet gasoline is still listed as an option.

What isn’t clear is if this concert car is going to be a hybrid, or run on the fuel source of your choosing.

What do you think? Is GM on the right track with this concept car?

Comments welcome.
GM site here.

[tags]gm, concept, chevrolet, volt, hybrid, [/tags]

  • http://www.geekbooks.com Daniel Gray

    Did you watch the interview that Chris did with GM’s Bob Lutz?
    http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/09/13/bob-lutz-interview/

    … and the blogger roundtable:
    http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/09/13/bob-lutz-gm-blogger-roundtable/

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Daniel,
    Thanks for the info and the link. That answers a few questions I had. Seems like the electric car may in fact be a reality. :-)
    Ron

  • Scott King

    Every couple of years the auto industry dangles the “alternative” fuel or electric car rubber bone in front of our salivating, petroleum addicted mouths; only to vaporize like Microsoft’s promise of a “secure,reliable operating system”. It all boils down to obscene profits. As long as there is a reasonable amount of gasoline available, good luck finding a mass produced electric or true hybrid vehicle. Meanwhile the rich get richer, while the environment suffers for our greed.

  • John McKelvey

    Dear Ron,

    The Chevy Volt is a series hybrid, The small flex-fuel engine is not connected to the wheels in any way. The car is propelled only by an electric motor(s).

    The 1.1 liter three cylinder Volt engine is used only to generate electricity to recharge the battery pack. If the batteries get low, then the motor kicks on to recharge the battery.
    The Volt is propelled down the highway by the electric motor and is never driven by the gas/ethanol engine. The internal combustion engine is not hooked to the drive-train in any way.

    This is unlike the Toyota Prius which is a paralell hybrid. In the Prius the gas and electric motors are of nearly the same power and both are hooked into a common transmission. In the Prius either the electric or gas engine can turn the wheels.

    The Chevy volt however is always run by the electric motor and never by the gas engine which is just used to generate electricity.