Tag: volt

Chevy Volt tagline: “More Car Than Electric”

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolt Volt

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

General Motors has been advertising its “extended-range electric vehicle” since 2007, but does anyone remember the first video commercial for the Chevrolet Volt? It first aired back in late 2007 and featured a dog licking a person’s foot. The gist? You care about the environment and save water on showers by having Fido lick your feet; Chevy cares about the environment and so it’s working on the Volt (watch the 30-second spot here).

In the very near future – i.e., during the World Series – GM will begin airing a series of new commercials using the Volt’s just-revealed new tagline: “More Car Than Electric.” We got a sneak preview of these commercials during a Volt media event last week (and promised we wouldn’t reveal anything about the visuals or the voiceovers) but thought that the slogan might generate some discussion.

Is it convincing? Does it do what it needs to do? We’ll soon get an idea of how the general public reacts, but what’s your first take?

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: GM]

Chevy Volt tagline: “More Car Than Electric” originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

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

MyVolt.com

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]

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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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127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world

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

2011 Chevrolet Volt

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

Did General Motors lie or didn’t they? The media and public got extremely swept up by the fact that GM told the world its range-extended electric vehicle would not use the on-board internal combustion engine to power the wheels, when it will under certain conditions. This bit of news has blown up in the General’s face, but does it change the fact that the Volt is still a pretty amazing piece of automotive engineering? Motor Trend spent a couple of weeks with one and came away impressed by what the Chevrolet Volt could do. In fact, lead flip-flop lead-foot Jonny Lieberman scored some seat time and was able to hit 127 miles per gallon.

The 127 mpg figure was achieved over a variety of Los Angeles city streets, canyon roads and highways. During the trip, the car ran out of battery power and the gasoline engine quietly turned on to give it more juice. Not to the wheels, but to the battery. If the car gets up over 70 miles per hour, then the ICE will send a small amount of power to the wheels, but by doing so it makes the car more efficient.

The M/T editors took the car on another trip and really tried to push it hard. They ran the Volt up to its 101 mph top speed, had the A/C cranked and traveled across some hilly terrain. The result? The Chevy returned nearly 75 mpg. MT feels the takeaway from its time with the Volt is that the car is incredibly efficient and the fact that the gasoline engine occasionally pitches in doesn’t make it any less remarkable of a vehicle.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Trend]

127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt controversy

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Toyota

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Zach Bowman makes his debut on Episode #199 of the Autoblog Podcast. Show stalwarts Chris Shunk and Dan Roth guide the conversation from the teased Toyota Prius MPV, the tempest in a teapot over the Chevrolet Volt’s transmission and the rumors of Scion getting the FT86 instead of Toyota. We cover some of your feedback from our Q&A and answer an email question before wrapping up at an hour and twenty-six minutes. See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt transmission

In the Autoblog Garage:

Nissan Rogue
Kia Sorento EX V6 AWD

News:

  • Prius MPV Teased
  • Toyota FT-86 may begin life as a $25,000 Scion
  • Submit your picks for Internet Car and Truck of the Year
  • Did General Motors lie about the Chevy Volt?

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 1:26:06

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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: Did General Motors lie about the Chevrolet Volt?

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

2011 Chevrolet Volt

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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Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf named ‘Breakthrough Products’ by Popular Mechanics

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

Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf

It looks like Popular Mechanics had room for two vehicles this year on its annual “Top Products” awards list. Both the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf were named Breakthrough Products for 2010. PM praised the ride quality and technology of the Volt, stating that it’s “more than the sum of its cutting-edge parts.” In addition, the publication prominently touted the Volt’s range-extending abilities, possibly as a jab at the other winner.

The magazine still had some love left for the Leaf, though, calling it, “a pure EV with space for five, a moderate price and enough range for most tasks – plus, an operating cost that’s irresistibly low.” The Leaf does not do any one thing that hasn’t been done before, but Nissan has combined a lot of features together in a mass-market-ready package that has already resulted in 20,000 pre-orders in the U.S. alone.

Contrary to PM’s 2008 Breakthrough car (Click to see what it is. Hint: it’s a three-wheeled electric vehicle), you will actually be able to buy both of these 2010 cars the same year they’ve been acclaimed, a nice change of pace in this uncertain world. To see the rest of Popular Mechanics‘ Top Products of 2010, click here.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf named ‘Breakthrough Products’ by Popular Mechanics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt home charger priced at $490 or nearly $2K with installation

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

Voltec 240V home charging unitSure, the sticker price for the 240V Voltec home charging unit designed to quickly and efficiently recharge the Chevrolet Volt is a wallet-friendly $490, but this is a case where reading the fine print is important. That’s because the cost to install this charger in your garage is slightly more. General Motors estimates that installation of the Voltec unit will cost you around $1,475, so we’re talking about a near $2,000 premium to have your Volt suck down electrons faster than it would if just plugged into a wall.

The Volt can charge just fine from a standard outlet and comes with a 120V-to-J1772 charger. Using that method will take around ten hours to reach a full charge from empty, while using 240V charger Voltec charger will cut that down to around four hours. For people who have short commutes or plan to leave the Volt plugged in every night, a 240V system might be overkill since the Volt has a gasoline-powered generator on board to extend its range should the electrons dry up.

The Voltec system’s $2,000 overall cost, however, is in line with the Aerovironment 240V charge station for the all-electric Nissan Leaf. Nissan says that charger will cost $2,200 installed, though Leaf fans began complaining that Nissan was forcing owners to use just one installer and the automaker has since pointed out that there are cheaper alternatives available.

Of course, there are ways to get free chargers (i.e. luck out and live in place with local incentives or be one of the first Volt buyers), but most people looking to add a Volt to their garage will need to cough up an extra $2,000 to receive quick-charging functionality. For an in-depth look at Chevrolet’s Volt chargers, click here.

[Source: General Motors]

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Chevy Volt home charger priced at $490 or nearly $2K with installation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Lansing, MI offer the cheapest Chevrolet Volt in America?

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

2011 Chevrolet Volt pre-production

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

The Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV has a base MSRP of $41,000. For most Americans who buy one, this can be reduced by $7,500 thanks to a federal tax rebate. Additionally, some buyers will be able to take advantage of state or local government incentives that will drop the after-rebate price below $33,500, like the 2,500 Detroiters who can get free installers and a $40 flat monthly rate from DTE Energy. The people with the absolute cheapest entry point for a new Volt, though, could be those in Lansing, Michigan.

That’s because the local utility, Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL), will offer incentives that match the $7,500 from the feds. According to the Lansing State Journal, the incentive is, “a $7,500 cash rebate to the first 25 buyers of the Volt in BWL’s service area and install high-speed charging stations for those who make the list.” The financial assistance comes from a $750,000 grant from the federal government that is meant to promote electric vehicles in mid-Michigan. BWL will also buy two Volts for its own use with the money.

The bad news? This amazing deal is limited to the just 25 people, and it doesn’t seem to include any other plug-in vehicle (why no Nissan Leaf love?). If you’re only helping 25 people, why not just buy some Volts to give away? In any case, it’s a pretty sweet deal, and we would be surprised if other local governments are working on similar programs with their own federal grant money. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to go make a phone call.

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

Photos copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Lansing State Journal]

Will Lansing, MI offer the cheapest Chevrolet Volt in America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt’s first customers will be 15-person Customer Advisory Board

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

2011 Chevrolet Volt

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

Lyle Dennis. Bill Nye. Jim Woolsey. Brian Wynne. What do these people have in common, besides being featured at one time or another on AutoblogGreen? They are all members of the new Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory Board that General Motors announced today (disclosure: AutoblogGreen columnist Chelsea Sexton is also on the panel).

So, what will the 15 people who make up the board actually do? Basically, they’re getting a Volt before you do and will tell GM what’s working and what isn’t. More specifically, they will be the first people who get to, “experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a three-month vehicle and charging evaluation program starting in late October.”

The 15 (see all the names after the jump, and note the number of electric vehicle enthusiasts included) volunteered for the position and Chevy picked people who knew the most about electric vehicles and also happen to live in one of the initial markets where the Volt will be available. Besides getting a three-month test vehicle, board members will get a free 240-volt charging station, “for the duration of the vehicle evaluation program.” Sexton is excited about the group, and said in a statement that:

It’s great to see Chevrolet tap into both experienced and new electric vehicle enthusiasts for real-world feedback. This is a great opportunity to not only provide meaningful input to the Volt team, but also to raise awareness using a real, available electric vehicle instead of a PowerPoint slide.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Chevy Volt’s first customers will be 15-person Customer Advisory Board

Chevy Volt’s first customers will be 15-person Customer Advisory Board originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt’s “maintenance mode” will burn gas to prevent aging

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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