Chevy VoltChevy Volt

Volt OverviewVolt OverviewExtended-Range Electric VehicleAvailable for mass purchase in

2010 as a 2011 model yearDesigned to meet the needs of

75% of America's daily commuters

Advanced lithium-ion battery pack means no gasoline and zero emissions for up to 40 miles

400 miles on 6 or 7 gallons of gasCharges in 6.5 hoursNo external charging station

required4 seats$30,000 although the first models

might be more expensive ($40,000)0 to 60 in 8.5 secondsa top speed of at least 100 mphRegenerative braking

E-REV (Extended-Range E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle)Electric Vehicle)a plug-in range-extended electric

vehicle with an on-board gasoline generator.

large battery charged from home electric outlet and connected to an electric motor.

electric motor directly propels the carbattery lasts for the first 40 miles,

then the on-board gasoline/E85 generator will power up

Recharges battery which continues to directly propel car

Isn’t this a hybrid?Isn’t this a hybrid?Most hybrids today are parallel hybrids

◦ small electric motor for low speed driving◦ regular gas engine for acceleration and faster

speed driving◦ both engines work side by side or in parallel

The Volt is a series vehicle◦ the electric motor powers the car at all times◦ the gas engine is just a generator, making

electric to keep the batteries in a steady state of charge.

E-Flex Drive SystemE-Flex Drive System

http://movementbureau.blogs.com/projects/2007/01/the_chevrolet_v.html

E-Flex Drive SystemE-Flex Drive System161-horsepower 45KW (100 KW

peak) compact AC electric motor 16kW 220-cell lithium ion battery

pack1.0L turbocharged three cylinder

international combustion engine◦flex-fuel capable ◦The 53 kW engine combined with the

53 kW generator can maintain and charge the battery pack.

12 gallon fuel tank

BatteryBatteryTechnology is still in the works220-cell 345 lb. lithium ion

battery packGM is

◦evaluating products from a A123◦working with Continental◦working with CPI ◦working with LG Chem

Fuel EfficiencyFuel EfficiencyA bit complicated, the EPA doesn’t

know what to doWhen the battery has been

discharged to its lower limit set-point, the gas engine kicks in to recharge the battery (at approx. 40 miles)

The gas engine is rated at 55 mpgWhen the battery is recharged to an

upper limit set-point the gas engine turns off again

To calculate the fuel efficiency for drives longer than 40 miles use the following formula: Total MPG = 55*M/(M-40)

Volt has a potential range of 640 miles on a single tank of fuel

Range can be increased by refueling without the need to recharge

0.65 cents per kW = $0.85 to recharge

EmissionsEmissions Zero emissions for trips under 40 miles Above 40 miles emissions will be similar to other 4-

cyl low displacement gasoline powered automobile. General Motors apparently claims that operating

the Volt for a year, results in the reduction of about 4.4 tonnes (4.3 LT/4.9 ST) in CO2 emissions as compared to a typical U.S. car

Battery charging emissions American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

(ACEEE) ◦ a typical plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is expected to

achieve about a 15% reduction in net CO2 emissions compared to the driver of a regular hybrid,

◦ in areas where less than 80% of grid-power comes from coal-burning power plants, local net CO2 emissions will decrease

Potential for charge with green energy sources

Concerns about the VoltConcerns about the VoltBattery

◦“Industry sources tell us the claims about the Volt’s batteries are wildly optimistic when weight, cost, capacity, and longevity are considered.”

◦Battery supplier still not decided◦Technology is still too-expensive, $10,000 vs.

$5,000◦With anticipated release date of 2010, this

technology should be solidified◦Safety? Toyota was saying that safety was a

big issue with the volt, but are now embracing similar technology.

Cost◦$30,000 not realistic◦Even at $50,000 GM wouldn’t see much

profit◦Government incentives a big wildcard◦Gas at or near $3.60 per gallon= $1500 of

savings annually.◦ Volt costs extra $20,000 compared with

conventional compacts.◦Recouping the investment likely to take 10

years, which point the battery must be replaced

The Future of GMThe Future of GMViability Plan presented to

congress TODAYNew administration in favor of

green energy and green jobs???

BibliographyBibliography http://www.gm-volt.com/ http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/ http://movementbureau.blogs.com/projects/2007/01/

chevrolet_volt.html http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?

target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=31656

http://www.aceee.org/store/proddetail.cfm?CFID=1941952&CFTOKEN=35186425&ItemID=418&CategoryID=7

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-full-specifications-on-the-chevy-volt/

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/green_machines/running_on_empty_is_the_2011_chevrolet_volt_hype_or_hope_car_news+t-technology:_%E2%80%9Ce-rev,%E2%80%9D_not_%E2%80%9Cplug-in%E2%80%9D+page-2.html