Recent Comments:
Automoblox unveils new model! The A9-S convertible {Autoblog}
Oct 10th 2008 5:46PM I've got a few Automoblox cars and I have to say they are pretty cool indeed. I've got a full-size X9-X, a mini T9, and a mini C9. AT $38-$40 each the full size models are a bit pricey, but the minis are only about $10 each, which seems "about right". They've got a mini X9-X now that I'm pretty stoked about, along with the new mini A9-S (I like the orange one better than the white one though).
Honda unveils V4 motorcycle concept {Autoblog}
Oct 8th 2008 5:24PM It looks nice and all, and I realize it's just a concept... but uh, how exactly does that thing steer? Or roll for that matter?
Ford MyKey lets parents control their kids' driving habits {Engadget}
Oct 6th 2008 3:47PM @Alex: not that it changes anything, but there are Turnpikes in Oklahoma at least, where the speed limit is 75mph.
Settle down: Volt batteries can recharge while driving {Autoblog}
Sep 26th 2008 2:51PM Being able to do something and actually doing it are two different things. Info direct from GM earlier this week stated that the ICE would only provide power to run the vehicle and maintain the battery charge at some depleted amount -- that it would not additionally recharge the batteries on the go. Of course it could be *able* to provide power to recharge the batteries, but whether or not it actually *would* do that it was what brought into question.
Looking at a cost per energy unit basis, electricity off the grid is cheaper and cleaner than burning gasoline in your average car engine, so I really don't see the "moronic" part of that. Especially considering that if you drive less than 40 miles a day, you're using NO gasoline to power your car.
Chevy Volt's powertrain and recharging clarified {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 1:57PM Well, new info just out from GM is contradicting all this info that was previously put out... by Chevy...
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=132246
So now it looks like the ICE could indeed charge the batteries to the point of not needing the ICE to be running.
FTA: "According to [GM's VP for Global Program Management] Lauckner, the battery will receive power from the gas engine when load conditions are light (as in, not under acceleration). When the battery comes back up to a certain level of charge (that figure is still the subject of development at GM), the gas engine can cycle off and the Volt can run for an unspecified period on the stored battery power."
Which of course directly contradicts the earlier info from Chevy stating that, "once the 40 miles or so of electric-only range was used up, the gas engine would run until the car could be plugged back into the grid for a full recharge."
When is a Ram not a Dodge? When it's a Pink Jeep {Autoblog}
Sep 26th 2008 1:47PM Jeeps had it first, so really, Hummers have a Jeep grille, haha. Hummers have a 7-slot grille because it was originally designed by the military side of the then-parent company of Jeep. That's why GM won and was able to continue the use of the grille when Chrysler sued them over it when the H2 first came out.
Chevy Volt's powertrain and recharging clarified {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 1:37PM Paul, my reading comprehension and engineering skills are just fine, thanks, though admittedly I studied mechanical and computer engineering, not electrical. Regardless of our educational backgrounds, the fact still remains that the gas engine in the VOLT does NOT recharge the batteries. Plain and simple. It does NOT kick on and off unless you turn the car off and turn it back on.
Chevy Volt's powertrain and recharging clarified {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 1:36PM Paul, my reading comprehension and engineering skills are just fine, thanks, though admittedly I studied mechanical and computer engineering, not electrical. Regardless of our educational backgrounds, the fact still remains that the gas engine in the VOLT does NOT recharge the batteries. Plain and simple. It does NOT kick on and off unless you turn the car off and turn it back on.
Chevy Volt's powertrain and recharging clarified {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 1:24PM @ Jon, it's not there to *charge* the batteries back up in order to power the motor. RTAs linked to. Tim Stevens is using his words incorrectly.
"once a driver uses up his 40 or so miles of electric power, the 1.4-liter gas engine generates electricity to power the electric drive motor, but does not recharge the batteries." - Edmunds.
also from GM's press releases:
"a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery."
And by "sustaining" GM says that it means only that no additional power is drained from the batteries.
Chevy Volt's powertrain and recharging clarified {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 1:17PM Even burning coal, the pollutant to energy ratio is better than burning gasoline in a regular car. It's cheaper for you as well.
Most vehicles will be charging overnight, when the draw on the grid is less anyway. Right now there's not enough vehicles of this type to make any noticeable impact in power consumption. As vehicles of this type increase greatly, then we will likely see some required upgrades in infrastructure and power generation.
Takes about 8 hrs to fully charge using 110V. Half that using 220.
