GM Volt: GM tries the electric car again

[Stunt]

Article

The car looks very nice, almost like the new camaro blended with some dodge lines. It'll be the size of the cobalt (a good size for most people).

The drive is electric and batteries are charged by a small gasoline engine.

Thank you GM for finally opening your eyes; time to take the lead instead of riding the coat-tails of the Japanese auto-makers!

 

[Kreon]

mmm
Does look nice

I can't wait to see the American Companies do something right for once in a while
I hope everybody buys into it.

They just need to find those batteries before the others guys

 

[Schadenfroh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oexsc3CqjmI

 

[everman]

Electric car with built in charger. I would think that this may be a simpler design than a hybrid (where the gasoline engine can power the wheels, whereas this does not), perhaps cheaper and less complex?

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Hmmm interesting, I wonder how much it'll sell for.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Hmmm interesting, I wonder how much it'll sell for.

$50-60k...the electric EVO is about the same...it should be around that price. But think of not ever putting gas in your car...ever!

 

[CrackRabbit]

The Stonecutters have failed!

 

[BrownTown]

Its not like electricity is free or anything, so there is still a fuel cost, just not as much as a normal car. I'm not exactly sure exactly what it is though, anyone know what a kWh of gasoline costs (multiplied by the crappy efficiency of an ICE of course). Also, anyone know what the efficiency of a small gas turbine is, I know the big one used for electric power are more efficient than an ICE, but than again normally you hear about them being gas guzzlers, but thats in 60 ton tanks like the M1, so maybe in a small car it doesn't really apply.

EDIT: also note that we are replacing one ICE with an ICE, a generator, an electric motor, and batteries. So clearly the cost is going to be much higher, the weight will be higher, matentince will be needed mroe frequently, and be more expensive etc... This is the best concept i've seen so far, but its still not even close to ready for the big times yet. It would be best if you could just cut out the generator and ICE, but that would require alot better batteries, or a much quicker way to recharge the cells.

 

[BD2003]

This is what we really need:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30431

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
Its not like electricity is free or anything, so there is still a fuel cost, just not as much as a normal car. I'm not exactly sure exactly what it is though, anyone know what a kWh of gasoline costs (multiplied by the crappy efficiency of an ICE of course). Also, anyone know what the efficiency of a small gas turbine is, I know the big one used for electric power are more efficient than an ICE, but than again normally you hear about them being gas guzzlers, but thats in 60 ton tanks like the M1, so maybe in a small car it doesn't really apply.

EDIT: also note that we are replacing one ICE with an ICE, a generator, an electric motor, and batteries. So clearly the cost is going to be much higher, the weight will be higher, matentince will be needed mroe frequently, and be more expensive etc... This is the best concept i've seen so far, but its still not even close to ready for the big times yet. It would be best if you could just cut out the generator and ICE, but that would require alot better batteries, or a much quicker way to recharge the cells.

Producing power on a large scale is far more efficient than millions of engines. Also can get into nuclear energy because instead of having peak energy hours (during the day), people can charge their cars at night. This would significantly increase the base load on the grid making for cheaper energy instead of short term peak energy usage (nat gas, oil).

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
Its not like electricity is free or anything, so there is still a fuel cost, just not as much as a normal car. I'm not exactly sure exactly what it is though, anyone know what a kWh of gasoline costs (multiplied by the crappy efficiency of an ICE of course). Also, anyone know what the efficiency of a small gas turbine is, I know the big one used for electric power are more efficient than an ICE, but than again normally you hear about them being gas guzzlers, but thats in 60 ton tanks like the M1, so maybe in a small car it doesn't really apply.

Well I know that in Quebec you pay less than 7c Canadian / kWh so a full charge (16 kWh) would cost about 1 USD in "fuel" for the first 40 miles. Comparatively, a car that does 25 MPG at $2/Gallon would cost $3.68 for the same distance.

Fuel cost would be cut by 2/3rds for people that travel less than 40 miles/day, that's huge!

 

[adlep]

Do not forget about the fact that the electric car is much more efficient that the IC engine...
Also, the process of producing the electricity is relatively efficient.

 

[Squisher]

It's a concept, I doubt it'll make it to production.


And, not that I think it should. Until there is some leap in battery technology the electrics and hybrids are just not viable.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Let's se it make it to market .... then I'll be impressed.

And ... oh good ..... more power plants ... that will solve our problems. Actually it will, but why not throw a solar panel on top????

 

[ultimatebob]

With the electricity generation and transmission rates being as high as they are now in the Northeast or California, I'm not sure if this will be much cheaper than filling it up at the pump.

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
With the electricity generation and transmission rates being as high as they are now in the Northeast or California, I'm not sure if this will be much cheaper than filling it up at the pump.

Yes, well thats becasue the northeast and even more California are completely inept when it comes to running an electrical grid. Its kinda funny in California where you ban nuclear plants and essentially make it impossible to build coal plants (the 2 cheapest sources of power), and then build a bunch of absurdly expensive wind and natural gas plants (and you wont even let them build a LNG terminal to bring it in). And then when there is a huge deficit in power production you go buy it on the market from plants hundreds of miles away. Basically, the cheaper a power source is in California the more they seem to hate it.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
With the electricity generation and transmission rates being as high as they are now in the Northeast or California, I'm not sure if this will be much cheaper than filling it up at the pump.

Yes, well thats becasue the northeast and even more California are completely inept when it comes to running an electrical grid. Its kinda funny in California where you ban nuclear plants and essentially make it impossible to build coal plants (the 2 cheapest sources of power), and then build a bunch of absurdly expensive wind and natural gas plants (and you wont even let them build a LNG terminal to bring it in). And then when there is a huge deficit in power production you go buy it on the market from plants hundreds of miles away. Basically, the cheaper a power source is in California the more they seem to hate it.

What he said And the North East just have tons of people to supply for...

 

[SketchMaster]

Just thinking out loud. If you buy a car such as this and also get a small solar panel put on your house to charge the car (and maybe help power the house a bit), in the long run wouldn't you save money?

I'm sure someone will prove me wrong with science or something. Damn you and your inconceivably large numbers and logic!

 

[BrownTown]

Only if the solar panel is sufficiently subsidised by the local government and if the local electric prices are sufficiently high. So, maybe in California you would, but here in Tennessee it would be a ocnsiderable waste.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Just thinking out loud. If you buy a car such as this and also get a small solar panel put on your house to charge the car (and maybe help power the house a bit), in the long run wouldn't you save money?

I'm sure someone will prove me wrong with science or something. Damn you and your inconceivably large numbers and logic!

Solar systems are still prohibitively expensive per kWh to start up. Though with the credits you get in CA and from the Feds it is slowly creeping to cost effectiveness, it will still be many years (decades more likely) before you recoup your investment barring some breakthrough in solar technology.

 

[Analog]

Its not a production car.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
With the electricity generation and transmission rates being as high as they are now in the Northeast or California, I'm not sure if this will be much cheaper than filling it up at the pump.

Yes, well thats becasue the northeast and even more California are completely inept when it comes to running an electrical grid. Its kinda funny in California where you ban nuclear plants and essentially make it impossible to build coal plants (the 2 cheapest sources of power), and then build a bunch of absurdly expensive wind and natural gas plants (and you wont even let them build a LNG terminal to bring it in). And then when there is a huge deficit in power production you go buy it on the market from plants hundreds of miles away. Basically, the cheaper a power source is in California the more they seem to hate it.

What he said And the North East just have tons of people to supply for...

Connecticut is just as inept with power management as California is. Politicians keep bitching about 20+% increases in our electric bills every year, but when it comes time to approve a new generation plant or upgraded transmission lines... Woah, not in MY back yard! :disgust:

 

[BrownTown]

Where I live TVA has imminent domain

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
Where I live TVA has imminent domain

Tennessee Valley Authority???

 

[BrownTown]

yeah, i also work there during the summers which is why I might be somewhat biased towards TVA and against Califoria et al.