Autoblog

Are Chevy dealers gaming the system to keep Volt's $7,500 consumer rebate?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 May 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Getting beyond the drama of the Chevrolet Volt and its high-profile development process was supposed to mean that General Motors could focusing on enjoying the car's green halo. But that has not exactly been the case. On the other side of numerous awards and glowing reviews there have been the sales numbers and stories of dealer gouging. Speaking of dealers, a new story by Mark Modica on the National Legal and Policy Center site suggests that Chevy dealers are selling Volts to one another and claiming the car's $7,500 federal tax rebate for themselves, then selling the cars to private buyers as used sans rebate.

According to Modica, a Chicago dealer selling a Volt with 10 miles on the odometer flat-out admitted that it would be seeking the credit for itself: "When I asked if I was eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, I was told that I probably wasn't, since the dealership was applying for the subsidy." Even stranger, a Kia dealer in California was selling a Volt that had just 30 miles on it, and Modica was told that "the Volts offered at that dealership were rental cars with higher mileage on them."

We'd love to get some other research into this, because if this is true, it could help explain a lot of things - including the model's depressed sales.

Are Chevy dealers gaming the system to keep Volt's $7,500 consumer rebate? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt may be worth only $17,000 after 36 months

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 17 May 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will have a resale value of a tick over $17,000 after 36 months, the length of an average lease, according to Kelley Blue Book. That's only 42 percent of the plug-in hybrid's $41,000 MSRP. KBB's projection assumes that the going rate for a gallon of gas will hold steady at $4/gallon 36 months from now.

Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting at Kelley, told Automotive News that the Volt's projected residual value may seem to be on the low side. But, as Ibara points out, the first 200,000 Volts sold qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, effectively slashing its sticker price down to $33,500 (well, maybe not).

Using that $33,500 number, KBB's projection means the Volt will hold onto 51 percent of its value. That compares to 46 percent for the 2011 Toyota Prius and 37.5 percent for the 2011 Ford Focus. As we see it, factoring in the $7,500 tax credit is crazy, but we'll let you guys and gals debate that.

KBB expects to set residuals for the ~~$25,280~~ $32,780 Nissan Leaf, which also qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, later this year. Hat tip to Frank!

Chevy Volt may be worth only $17,000 after 36 months originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford cleans up at 2011 Edison Awards, Chevy Volt wins Gold [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford, GM, Electric

Alan Mulally interview for Edison Awards - Click above to watch video after the jump

The annual Edison awards that celebrate innovation in goods and services have been handed out, and Ford and General Motors have taken no prisoners with regards to all things automotive. Ford was the big winner, with three gold metals and one silver. Further, CEO Alan Mulally was named a 2011 Edison Achievement Award Winner.

Ford won the Applied Technology gold thanks to the inflatable seatbelts that were introduced on the 2011 Explorer. The Blue Oval took both gold and silver in the In-Car Driving Aids segment, with MyFord Touch and Sync finishing one and two, respectively. MyKey took the last gold for Ford under the Remote Driving Aids segment, besting GM's MyLink, which took silver.

GM's Chevrolet Volt won the top spot for the Personal Transportation category, beating The Copenhagen Wheel (silver) and the Nissan Leaf (bronze).

Hit the jump to watch a short interview with Alan Mulally, who discusses manufacturing and its impact on jobs and the economy.

[Source: Edison Awards]

Continue reading Ford cleans up at 2011 Edison Awards, Chevy Volt wins Gold [w/video]

Ford cleans up at 2011 Edison Awards, Chevy Volt wins Gold [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM displeased with Volt's low rating from ACEEE

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

How do you determine how environmentally friendly an automobile is? Certainly, fuel efficiency will be factored in rather highly, as will all manner of tailpipe emissions. But that's only part of the story. Consider that there are many ways to power a vehicle; gasoline, diesel, electricity or any combinations thereof. Plus, you have to determine what actually goes into producing the vehicle and getting it into the hands of the consumer.

As you can see, assigning environmental grades to our current crop of cars and trucks is anything but an exact science, and the results will no doubt be swayed by how much emphasis is put on any given factor. And so it comes as no surprise that there are a number of differing opinions concerning the latest green machines to hit the market, and that may apply to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt more than any other.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy publishes a list of green vehicles every year. For the last few, the Honda Civic GX has parlayed its compressed natural gas running gear into a victory on the ACEEE's report. We won't argue with that determination, and we also don't see any issues with the all-electric Nissan Leaf earning the silver position... but that's where things get murkier. The Smart Fortwo comes in at number three, followed by the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight. The next five slots are filled with compact and subcompact sedans and hatchbacks.

Are you asking yourself where the Volt fits in? So was Chevrolet. Speaking to Forbes, GM spokesman Rob Peterson had this to say:

Their logic would escape the majority of consumers. If you look at the EPA ratings for the Smart fortwo at 33 city and 41 highway, it's actually less than the Volt's after the electric range is exhausted. We're being penalized against the Smart because our car is a four-seater with a battery pack and therefore weighs more. And we lose against the Leaf because we have a gas engine. But you really have to look at how the car is actually used - their methodology doesn't add up.

No matter your personal opinion, one thing is for certain: As more and more category-bending vehicles hit the market, this topic isn't going to be resolved any time soon.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Forbes]

Report: GM displeased with Volt's low rating from ACEEE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Some dealers price gouging Chevy Volt up to $65K

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though some Chevrolet dealers were warned not to sell the Volt above the MSRP, there is a distinct trend around the country where some dealers are trying to make a few extra (thousand) bucks off the popular plug-in vehicle. In fact, Ward's Auto found a dealer in Florida that is listing a Volt at $65,590. That's a wee bit more than the car's $41,000 suggested retail price.

We heard about the possibility of sky-high mark-ups last year, but it turns out there's very little General Motors can do in this situation. As GM's Tony DiSalle told Ward's Auto, "there isn't a mechanism to prevent that from happening." Motor Trend also found Volts around the country priced at $46,923 (MI), $47,700 (CA) and $49,000 (NC). Guess this is why you should never trust MSRP, huh?

Our advice would be to keep shopping until you find a dealer willing to honor GM's specified asking price, even if that means waiting a little bit longer for your future plug-in machine.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Ward's Auto via Motor Trend]

Report: Some dealers price gouging Chevy Volt up to $65K originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is not your typical review of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:37:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Gene Weingarten is not an automotive journalist. He is, however, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for The Washington Post. And yet, despite limited automotive knowledge by his own admission, he's written an excellent review of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Weingarten admits he was predisposed to hate the Volt (and American cars in general), but his time behind the wheel didn't jibe with those expectations. And it wasn't even because the car apparently made him more attractive to members of the opposite sex (though we doubt that hurt its chances any).

Trust us on this: Go and read all five pages of Weingarten's review of the Chevy Volt, then come back and tell us what you think.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: The Washington Post]

This is not your typical review of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port - Click above for high-res image gallery

The more vehicles General Motors is able to build using the battery technology pioneered in its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the better chance the automaker has of earning a return on its significant investment into the electrically driven automobile. It's the classic economies of scale issue... but what is the next logical vehicle application?

While many of the early prognostications pointed to a Voltec-powered Cadillac, a report from AutoWeek says GM CEO Dan Akerson is suggesting a minivan may come first. There's also some talk that an unknown hatchback is in the works (yes, the Volt is indeed a hatchback that's shaped to look more like a sedan, but whatever).

Also notable are Akerson's expectations that at least 10-percent of all GM production will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within 10 to 15 years. Akerson wants each of the automaker's four core divisions - Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet (check) and GMC - to have a vehicle using Volt technology, though no timeframe for that expansion has been given.

In other Volt news, Akerson told reporters at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress that the General is on track to sell 25,000 Chevrolet Volts for the 2011 model year, which is a sizeable increase from the 10,000-20,000 units expected as production began.

Moving past the ever-present greenery, Akerson and GM North American President Mark Reuss both stated that the company is putting some of its next-generation truck programs on the fast-track. We'd imagine that means we'll see new fullsize pickups from Chevy and GMC sooner rather than later.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevrolet tries to make sense of Volt mileage figures

Chris Shunk — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2011 Chevy Volt is, in several ways, like every other car on the road. Four wheels, four doors, a steering wheel... but not every vehicle has a gas engine, electric motor, massive lithium ion battery and a spot to plug into the wall. It's a bit complicated at first, and perhaps more so when looking at the Environmental Protection Agency's official fuel economy figures.

The EPA tells us that the Volt averages 35 miles on an electric charge, but that number can vary anywhere from 25 to 50 miles depending on the conditions. In gas-only mode, the Volt manages 37 miles per gallon. Combine a full tank of gas with a maxed-out electric charge and you can travel a total of 379 miles. Then there is the EPA equation that compares the cost of electricity compared to the typical cost of gasoline, with a resulting efficiency estimation of 93 MPGe. That's miles per gallon equivalent. All-told, the EPA gave the Volt a 60 mpg combined score. So... we're looking at mpg numbers of 37, 93 and 60 mpg. And 35 miles with virtually no gas whatsoever, but really it's between 25 and 50 miles.

You know what... we can explain this until we're blue in the face, but we probably won't do as well as the 2:20 video that is available after the jump. General Motors breaks down the EPA's Mensa label in a language just about anyone can understand. Click through and enjoy.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet tries to make sense of Volt mileage figures

Video: Chevrolet tries to make sense of Volt mileage figures originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt components to be built from Gulf of Mexico's oil-soaked booms [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Recycled boom material under the hood of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's really no way to positively spin the disaster that took place in the Gulf of Mexico when BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded and leaked untold millions of gallons of oil into the ocean. That said, it seems that General Motors has figured out a way to "creatively recycle" an estimated 100 miles of oil-soaked plastic boom material.

If not recycled, much of this material would likely have ended up in landfills, and we'd much rather see it reused under the hood of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt than buried under the ground to rot way over several lifetimes. Specifically, GM will mold radiator air deflectors from plastic that's made up of 25 percent recycled boom material and 25 percent recycled tires, with the remaining 50 percent "a mixture of post-consumer recycled plastics and other polymers."

Enough of the boom material has apparently been collected to fill GM's needs for these plastic parts over the Volt's entire first year of production, and it's likely that these recycling efforts will continue to other models in the automaker's portfolio. See the recycled boom material used in the Volt in our image gallery below, and check out a video along with the entire press release after the break.

Gallery: Recycled boom material in the Chevrolet Volt

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy Volt components to be built from Gulf of Mexico's oil-soaked booms [w/video]

Chevy Volt components to be built from Gulf of Mexico's oil-soaked booms [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM may let Euro drivers switch Opel Ampera to gas power to save batteries

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, GM, Opel, UK, Rumormill, Electric

2011 Opel Ampera - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt made major media waves when it was first revealed that its engine could power the drive wheels independently under certain circumstances. According to a report from HeadlineAuto in the UK, though, General Motors' European division is actually considering adding a switch for the Opel Ampera (the Volt's more attractive European cousin) that would allow the driver to control how the drivetrain operates.

For instance, when driving longer distances, such as when traveling from city to city, the driver could potentially switch the car into its so-called charge sustaining mode so that the gasoline-powered engine would run constantly in order to maintain a full charge of the battery. Then, after the speeds slow back down and the driver re-enters an urban area, the car could be put back into its normal battery-first mode.

At this point, this report appears to be little more than speculation based on statements made by GM's Lars Peter Thiesen, who is overseeing the process of tuning the Opel Ampera for the European market. There's currently no reason to believe that GM would make such a modification to the U.S.-spec Volt.

Gallery: Opel Ampera

[HeadlineAuto UK - sub. req.]

Report: GM may let Euro drivers switch Opel Ampera to gas power to save batteries originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Joel Ewanick, VP, U.S. Marketing for General Motors, and the Chevy Volt with the Green Car of the Year Award

The Chevrolet Volt drove off with the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award at the LA Auto Show this morning, beating out tough competition from the Nissan Leaf and ending a two-year diesel powertrain reign (at the 2008 show, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI was named the winner; last year, the Audi A3 TDI won). The other finalists for this year's award, given out by Green Car Journal, included the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid , Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Ford Fiesta.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's Roland Hwang said during the ceremony that "the environment means business." To be globally competitive, automakers need highly-efficient vehicles to compete and, "what this means is that green vehicles are going to go mainstream." The Green Car of the Year award embodies this change. When it was first given out in 2006, it was sort of tacked on at the end of the LA Auto Show. Today, as it was in '09, the ceremony was a highlight of the show.

Last year, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan made a point to mention the five vehicles up for consideration were notable because they were mainstream vehicles that were already available. This year, only three of the candidates are currently on dealer lots. With the high tech involved in the Leaf and Volt, though, we're okay with the slight delay in availability.

If you were rooting for the Leaf, don't worry too much. Today, that car won the Green Car of the Year title from TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk over in the UK. Still, in the U.S., the Green Car Journal award is the big one, and we want to know if the Volt claiming the first Green Car of the Year award of the electric era - and if there's one message we're heard here in LA this year, it's that we're really in the electric era now - make sense to you. Let us know in the comments below.

[Source: Green Car of the Year]

Continue reading 2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA

2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volts ready to ship, just need official EPA mileage stickers

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

The first batch of production Chevy Volts are ready to ship, they're just waiting on the EPA to issue an official mileage label. General Motors global product chief Tom Stephens told Automotive News that the required sticker certifying the Volt's miles per gallon rating is expected "any day," and that's a requirement before the vehicles can head out the door.

As we reported a few weeks ago, when the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide was released by the EPA and DOE, the Volt just missed being included in the publication because, as the EPA stated, "no 2011 model year electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list." The Toyota Prius was again listed as the most fuel efficient available in the U.S., but we'll soon be able to see where the Volt stands in terms of official fuel economy.

The Volt, named the Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year, can run 25 to 50 miles on battery only and an additional 310 miles when assisted by the gasoline engine. GM is pushing through with its plans of producing 10,000 Volts through 2011 and 45,000 in 2012.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Chevy Volts ready to ship, just need official EPA mileage stickers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we'd like to say that we didn't see this one coming... well, we did. But, despite the fact that it would seem to be the obvious choice to take home the Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award, the voting crew claims that it "wasn't a shoo-in."

In fact, claims Automobile, "the Chevrolet Volt endured more scrutiny and skepticism than any of the nine other semifinalists." We don't doubt it, either. There's no denying that the Volt has and will continue to receive more close scrutiny than just about any other vehicle that will be introduced this year or any other, and the voters are well aware of this fact. In other words, if the Volt wins a bunch of awards and turns into a major flop, the award-givers will have plenty of explaining to do....

Fortunately, it seems that the Chevy Volt is mostly worthy of the admiration it is receiving from the automotive press (the Volt was also named the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year). Automobile Magazine calls the Volt a "game changer," and, with its innovative powertrain that should allow a large number of owners to drive almost completely without the use of gasoline, it's hard to argue with that assessment.

Click past the break for a video of Automobile's Editor-in-Chief, Jean Jennings, explain why the Chevy Volt is a worthy recipient of its Automobile of the Year award. When you're finished, feel free to click here for a massive 10-page missive on the same topic.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award

2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Electric

The California Air Resources Board has given a green rating to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the grade atop the page being ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle). That's below the SULEV and PZEV ratings of cars you might not expect to beat the Volt, such as the four-cylinder Honda Accord and Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T and Jetta TDI. Also on the list as being cleaner than the Volt are the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda CR-Z. Click past the break for some interesting comparative charts.

The issue is that CARB performs its testing with the engine running - it has no electric-power-only test. When the Volt's engine runs, it emits 1.3 g/km, which puts it 0.3 grams beyond the allowance for a SULEV vehicle. What's more, since it can't get the PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating of the Prius and Leaf, it can't get carpool lane stickers in California. One of the biggest boons of buying a green car, at least in California, is the extra time you get to enjoy your life because you can use the carpool lane and don't need to haul around Frank and Bob from sales in order to to it.

Will any of this affect the Volt's reception? In most places, wherever a sticker can't get you in the VIP line, probably not. And it doesn't affect what the Volt can do. This is really a reflection of the Volt paying the price for an outdated testing regime and an engine connected to the wheels in a three-mile-per-hour speed band. But in the green space where everyone is counting every feather in every cap, we imagine General Motors is ruing having missed out on this particular one. Perhaps the tagline "More car than electric" is here proved a little too true...

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair

CARB gives Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: First responders learn EV rescue techniques on Chevy Volt

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Chevrolet, Police/Emergency, Electric

Click above to watch the video after the jump

While a vocal gaggle of Birkenstock-wearing tree-huggers might be rambling on about how we need to replace the internal combustion engine overnight with EVs, we know that phasing out the automobile as we know them just isn't that simple.

Among the myriad stars you need to align in order for the electric car to enter the mainstream are such safety concerns as how emergency first responders will deal with electric vehicles in the event of an accident. High-voltage electric systems just don't behave the same in an accident as do combustible fuels. And the more EVs there are on the road, the more accidents involving them are bound to happen.

In order to address that eventuality, Chevrolet has taken its Volt around to training sessions for first responders to learn how to deal with the car's power systems in the event of an emergency, including how to disable the battery, how to sever the high-voltage cables and how to get an occupant out of a wrecked EV in an emergency. Chevrolet's being among the first, they've taken the initiative to get this EV safety ball rolling, but the lessons learned by paramedics, firefighters and the like will inevitably help as more EVs hit the road. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading Video: First responders learn EV rescue techniques on Chevy Volt

Video: First responders learn EV rescue techniques on Chevy Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012

Chris Shunk — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've known all along that General Motors planned to ramp up production of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, with 10,000 to 15,000 sales in the first year of production. But what of 2012? The Detroit News is reporting that Doug Parks, GM's electric vehicle executive, said at the Business of Plugging In conference that in 2012 the Volt will "be in this max rate of 60,000." Parks insists that The General can move that many Volts in 2012, and possibly more. Given the fact that the Volt's 2012 production was moved from 30,000 to 45,000, we're thinking there's a solid chance GM hasn't stopped adjusting it's production figures.

In other Volt news, GM is hoping to get official efficiency figures from the Environmental Protection Administration within the next month. Parks said at the conference that the company expects the Volt will fall somewhere in the 25-50 mile range in electric-only mode. GM has said since the Volt concept was unveiled in 2007 that it was shooting for 40 miles in EV mode, though Parks is hoping the Volt will over-deliver. As far as miles per gallon go, Parks says the Volt is hitting mid to high 30s combined while the gasoline engine is charging the batteries.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (and we'll let you decide which of those two categories General Motors' green halo car fits into...) promise to save drivers money on fuel bills. But, just as operating expenses for traditional cars rises and falls with the price of gas, so too will battery-powered cars vary in their running costs as electric utility rates fluctuate.

GM has announced a new website for Chevrolet Volt owners called MyVolt.com that seeks to help consumers keep their electric charging rates in check. Statistics for battery usage and fuel economy will be transferred to the user's Facebook and Twitter accounts, and utility companies are expected to use this data to help owners choose times to plug their cars into the grid. These utility companies can also make sure their power grids are up to the challenge of keeping EVs on the road.

Other techy benefits offered to Volt owners include a display to show whether the car is plugged in (and whether it's charging at 120 or 240 volts), the creation of a charging schedule to make use of the best rates and the ability to monitor current battery state of charge and predicted range. One intriguing feature will allow OnStar to create its own charging schedule where the program will choose the lowest rates possible in order to achieve a full charge by a set time.

There will also be a provision to remotely start the Volt to get the interior up to a set temperature, and future updates will allow further customization of the car, such as setting radio presets. Want to know more? Check out the official press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: Did General Motors lie about the Chevrolet Volt?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:22:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the past three years, General Motors has consistently described the 2011 Chevrolet Volt as a pure electric vehicle with a range-extending on-board gas engine/generator. Today we learned that, in fact, there are instances where the gas engine will contribute motive force to move the car along, which technically makes the Volt a plug-in hybrid, not a pure EV. The question we'd like to ask is, how big a deal will this range-extended EV versus plug-in hybrid debate be for The General?

Already, several media outlets such as Inside Line have expressed frustration and disbelief over feelings that they've been "lied to" for the past three years in regards to whether or not the Volt's engine can power its drive wheels. The boys from Jalopnik have gone so far as to Photoshop Chevy's Volt as the devil. GM, meanwhile, claims this news didn't come to light earlier because the company was protecting its patents on the Volt drivetrain, which have since been approved.

You can bet you'll be hearing plenty more on the topic from those of us who Obsessively Cover the Auto Industry, but for now, we're more curious about what you think.

Has General Motors knowingly lied about how the Volt operates or is the explanation less sinister? Or do you simply not care as long as the final design is as efficient as possible? Take our poll below and then weigh-in with your more detailed thoughts in the Comments.

View Poll

Poll: Did General Motors lie about the Chevrolet Volt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt's "maintenance mode" will burn gas to prevent aging

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors conceived the electric powertrain for the Chevrolet Volt, the 40-mile electric driving range was specified so that most drivers would rarely, if ever, have to use any liquid fuel. Components like the battery were then sized to match the performance and range specifications. However, the whole point of incorporating the range extending engine was so the Volt could keep going without the driver having to continuously monitor the battery level, even though GM once told us that the Volt would move without gas in the tank.

Regardless, leaving the same gasoline in a tank for months or even years creates a new set of problems. One reason is there's no such thing as pure gasoline. What's sold at the pump is a blend of numerous hydrocarbon compounds like octane, heptane and other additives that lubricate valves and fuel injectors, along with a range of assorted chemicals. Many of these compounds will eventually evaporate, reducing the performance of the fuel and could possibly lead to engine damage.

To address this, the Volt has a completely sealed and pressurized fuel tank. Pressurizing the tank helps minimize evaporation from the liquid fuel, forcing it to stay in liquid form. Before the fuel filler can be opened to gas up the Volt, the tank has to be depressurized, which takes a few seconds after pressing the release button. The engine management system also monitors the time between when the engine runs and will periodically prompt the driver to run past the 40-mile electric range before recharging. If the driver doesn't force the Volt to run on gas, the system will eventually start the engine to consume some of the aging fuel and circulate the fluids within the engine. Once this maintenance mode is complete, the engine shuts down until it's needed again or enough time has passed. GM hasn't revealed what the time intervals are, but with Volt production right around the corner, we'll find out soon enough.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Plug-in Cars]

Chevy Volt's "maintenance mode" will burn gas to prevent aging originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why the sub-30 MPG claim for Chevrolet Volt is misleading [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:31:00 EST

Translogic Episode 5.4 - Click above to watch video after the jump

One of the last big technical questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is how much gasoline it will consume when the engine starts up to sustain the charge of the battery. Since the beginning of the development program back in 2007, General Motors has remained extremely reluctant to discuss details about the Volt's fuel efficiency, but a few days ago, the world got its first hint from an outsider.

Previous media drives with the Volt were done with 65 percent calibration level prototypes and we didn't get to see any of the mileage data on the displays. A team from our sister publication, Translogic, recently tried out a newer pilot production car at GM's Milford Proving Ground during a video shoot. Once they ran the battery down, the car continued for another 16.1 miles and apparently used 0.59 gallons of fuel for an average of just 27.3 miles per gallon. Needless to say, that's nowhere near the 50+ mpg that had been surmised from the big 230 mpg announcement a year ago. Read on after the jump for an analysis of what the video crew experienced, as well as the video itself.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt pre-production prototype

[Sources: Plug In Cars, GM-Volt, Translogic]

Continue reading Why the sub-30 MPG claim for Chevrolet Volt is misleading [w/video]

Why the sub-30 MPG claim for Chevrolet Volt is misleading [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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