Cadillac Converj should help Chevy Volt

Ready to plug in this Cadillac?

I'm a fan of the Chevy Volt, a pretty big fan actually - at least in the technology powering the Volt. Yet, in the next decade Toyota will sell millions of hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, as GM sells hundreds of thousands of Volts.

Finish: Converj should help help Chevy Volt

Tackling foreign oil dependency on the street

Should plug-ins be the only path to foreign oil dependence?

TheStreet.com asked me to be a guest contributor recently, so they published Foreign Oil Versus the GM Volt this morning (although I didn't pick the title).

Ultimately, I've become very critical of the Chevy Volt compared to a year ago, when I was a fairly strong advocate. While I agree that it's important to bring this technology to market, such vehicles are decades away from making a major impact on America's energy paradigm.

Finish: Tackling foreign oil dependency on the street

Lifetime tax credits for the Volt?

What's the Volt worth to America?

What's a better deal, the Chevy Volt or the Toyota Prius?

The Prius, by a long shot according to analysis by CNNMoney. Even if a Volt driver were to use only electricity to power the Volt and gas were to hit $5.00, the Prius is a still a better deal, even after the government's $7500 tax credit for the Volt.

Finish: Lifetime tax credits for the Volt?

Chevy Volt: GM's best SUV sales tool?

A good reason to buy a Chevy Equinox?

The Chevy Volt is still more than a year from hitting dealer showrooms, yet GM is already using the Volt to sell other GM vehicles.

Finish: Chevy Volt: GM's best SUV sales tool?

How viable is the Chevy Volt?

The Vice Chairman at his best

Last night Melissa Lee of Fast Money asked Bob Lutz how many units of the Chevy Volt GM expected to sell. Instead of answering, Lutz switched the conversation to how much better the Volt is than the competition. Fine. Maybe it is on a technological level.

Lee then followed up by asking when consumers can expect to reap the benefits of the Volt. After a $7500 tax credit, Lutz claimed at $32,500 the Volt wasn't too much more expensive than Toyota Prius. Still, he never explained how long it would take the Volt to recover its additional expense compared to a Prius or a similarly sized conventional vehicle.

Finish: How viable is the Chevy Volt?

Leaf, Volt: Has the Prius lost its crown?

Leaf to get 367 mpg!?

So, which vehicle is better: the Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf or the Toyota Prius?

Not long after GM announced that the Volt might achieve 230 mpg in the city, Nissan announced that its Leaf electric vehicle would achieve 367 mpg in the city. So, obviously, the Leaf is the best, followed by the Volt, then the Prius, right?

Finish: Leaf, Volt: Has the Prius lost its crown?

Will the Chevy Volt reduce foreign oil dependency?

So now its all about city fuel economy?

230 miles per gallon. That's an impressive number for the Chevy Volt's city fuel economy. Still, I can't help but ask, Why is it when GM markets the fuel economy of all its other 30 mpg vehicles, it's always highway fuel economy that is the standard?

Nonetheless, there was never a doubt that the Volt would achieve stellar numbers on the EPA's city cycle. In the city, the Chevy Volt is essentially an electric vehicle. Makes me wonder, what's the fuel economy of the Tesla Roadster, since it NEVER uses gasoline?

Unlimited miles per gallon?

Finish: Will the Chevy Volt reduce foreign oil dependency?

Chevy Volt investment plays

It's the battery, baby

Last night Bob Lutz was on Fast Money to discuss how the Chevy Volt might change the auto industry.

Unfortunately, the Volt wasn't enough to inspire the crew to buy GM stock just yet.

However, Tim Seymour called out Panasonic and its partnership with Sanyo as a way to play the "secret sauce" of the plug-in vehicle, the lithium-ion battery. Overall, Seymour claimed that the Asians dominate this space, and in addition to Panasonic, he also mentioned Samsung and LG.

Unfortunatley, Seymour didn't go into whether investors should invest in LG directly, for instance, or more directly in LG Chem, or even Compact Power, the LG Chem subsidiary directly involved in the Chevy Volt.

Buick plug-in hybrid: Built for the media?

The Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid lives

We've known for some time that GM was going to build a plug-in hybrid SUV. Originally, the Saturn Vue was going to be the platform for GM's dual mode plug-in hybrid powertrain, but then GM killed Saturn.

Thus, the new hybrid will based on the GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox platform and will mate a 3.6-liter V6 flex-fuel engine with a plug-in version of the dual mode hybrid powertrain. Also, it will use similar lithium technology as the Chevy Volt. Expect this new hybrid sometime in 2011.

Finish: Buick plug-in hybrid: Built for the media?

Forget horsepower, it's all about aerodynamics

As aerodynamic as it's going to get

It's aerodynamics, stupid.

Insideline reported yesterday that GM's lead Chevy Volt designer, Bob Boniface, has become a little offensive about the Volt's aerodynamics. While GM isn't releasing official aero figures, Boniface claims that many competitors, such as Tesla, are releasing phony numbers. Ultimately, Boniface claims the Volt will offer a coefficient drag similar to either the Roadster or the new Toyota Prius.

Finish: Forget horsepower, it's all about aerodynamics

Volt on schedule

Still ready for 2010

Earlier this week GM announced that a plant to build engines for both the Chevy Volt and the Chevy Cruze was being delayed pending the bailout. However, GM also announced that this delay would not delay the development of the Volt.

Jon Lauckner, GM's Vice President Global Program Management reiterated that yesterday on GM's FastLaneBlog. "The development of the Volt remains on-schedule despite the ongoing talks in Washington, D.C. It is one of the highest, if not the highest, priority programs in the company and that hasn’t changed, nor has the commitment of resources to fund it. In fact, with the successful completion of each development activity, we have more confidence than ever the Volt will start production as planned in late 2010."

Volt delay?

Launch date still on target

GM has delayed plans to begin construction on a new factory that will make engines for both the Chevy Volt and the Chevy Cruze until the bailout issue is resolved to help save its dwindling cash supply. Nonetheless, according to those reports, the Volt will still hit showrooms in 2010.

Tax credits for plug-in conversions - Another congressional failure?

More proof Congress is inept?

When Congress came up with tax credits for plug-ins, they seemed very focused on making sure that the Chevy Volt, and GM, was rewarded. Fine. GM is an American company. But, A123Systems is also an American company and, possibly, a very important American company in terms of the future.

Finish: Tax credits for plug-in conversions - Another Congressional failure?

Volt development on despite GM's financial woes

The Volt or bust?

GM has confirmed that it will delay new vehicle production to save cash. Thus, vehicles seen as vital to GM's future, such as the Chevy Cruze, will be delayed. However, GM will not put any holds on the Chevy Volt according to Reuters.

A123Sytems and GE increase hybrid battery partnership

Made in America

About a month ago, when Chrysler announced its new plug-in vehicles, it seemed hard to believe that Chrysler might be as close to plug-ins as GM and the Chevy Volt. But there are now a few tantalizing details about the batteries powering Chrysler's ENVI, or electric drive initiative, vehicles that should spark any hybrid fan's interest.

Chrysler's batteries were developed in coordination with GE under a DOE grant, and the batteries took a slightly different path than other lithium batteries, using two chemistry's rather than one - one for power and one for energy. Finish: A123Systems and the perfect hybrid battery

Hybrid batteries? Who cares? Let's focus on composties

Time to move composites out of concepts

Yesterday, I blogged on one of my favorite out of the box thinking autos, the Aptera plug-in hybrid. Yet, it isn't really the plug-in hybrid technology that inspires, instead, its the lightweight and super strong composites that make up the Aptera's body.

And composites aren't just about auto design and lightweight, super strong bodies.

Applied Sciences Inc. and Pyrograf Products Inc. believe that carbon fiber, another composite material, could offer battery-powered vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, better range by making lithium ion batteries significantly lighter.

The role of composites in the automobile is just emerging. Finish: Forget hybrid batteries, let's focus on composites

Chevy Volt fans should buy GM stock

Don't call the Chevy Volt a concept

Spend any time around GM's top Volt engineers and one thing is clear: this vehicle will happen. Sure there are still questions about production capabilities and costs. Technology, however, will not prevent the Chevy Volt from becoming a reality.

Finish: Chevy Volt fans should buy GM stock

Europe's Opel Volt coming in 2011

The Opel FLEXtreme Concept

The E Flex Drive that powers the Chevy Volt will make its way into Europe, as an Opel, in 2011 according to multiple reports. While the final design of the concept has not been hammered out, it will not look like the Volt. Nonetheless, it could share some Volt design cues that were driven by the aerodynamics.

In the past, GM has displayed the Opel FLEXtreme as one design idea for the Opel E Flex vehicle. However, this design might be as plausible in the wind tunnels as was the original Chevy Volt concept.

In the interim, GM is going to be working with European leaders to develop plug-in stations for the modern urbanites in Europe without garage access.

Will the Big 3 ever challenge the Toyota Prius?

The only Prius challenger for years?

Duh? The Chevy Volt, right?

Not any time soon. Maybe not ever.

A significant percent of Americans simply can't plug-in, won't want to plug-in, or won't want to front the extra money up front for the benefits of electric vehicles.

Ultimately, there will be plenty of consumers for both the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt, but they are two very different technologies for two different consumer segments.

Yet, Toyota is also developing plug-in hybrids to challenge the Volt. Are GM's lithium-powered BAS hybrids really a challenge to the Prius? Are 20,000 Ford Focus hybrids a challenge to the Prius? And what about Chrysler?

In recent months, both Hyundai and Honda have committed to selling 100,000's of thousands of hybrid cars each, per year, within the next several years. Shouldn't the Big 3 be doing the same?

Can the Chevy Volt brighten GM's image?

The Volt made a recent publicity stop at NASCAR

For many Americans, the Chevy Volt has become the savior of the US auto industry. A made in America foreign oil dependency freedom fighter. And, one day, it might just be that, but not any time soon.

In the interim, however, can it change the perception of GM and its ability to build quality automobiles?

Finish: Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?

Chrysler's EVs as developed as Chevy Volt?

A Dodge plug-in concept at NAIAS 2007

Has Chrysler killed Chevy Volt hype?

Since the Volt debut in 2007, GM has reiterated over and over how they were accomplishing something almost inconceivable. Concept to reality in little more than 3 years. And, not just your standard concept. A range extended electric vehicle.

Yet, all the while, Chrysler has been quietly keeping pace.

Finish: Chrysler's EVs as developed as Chevy Volt?

How to judge 'fuel economy' of plug-ins

What's the value of plugging in?

When tax credits for plug-ins become available, neither electric range nor fuel economy will matter, only battery capacity - a move that appears to strongly favor GM's Chevy Volt versus the Toyota Prius.

However, when it comes to the EPA and CAFE, it's fuel economy that will matter. And that is the standard that Congress will judge automaker fleet fuel economy.

So why the double standard?

Finish: Plug-in Ratings: Both Congress and the EPA confused

Yeah, we all want them, but can we all afford plug-in hybrids?

Honda has it right?

Plug-in vehicles. It's the new darling of the automotive world. It's the future. The saviour of the US auto industry. Still, when does this future make cost-effective sense for BOTH consumers and automakers?

For the past few months Hybridcarblog has run a survey asking 'What is the most you would pay for the Chevy Volt'?. Almost half those responding, 47 percent, don't want to pay more than $20,000 for a such vehicle. Another 40 percent won't pay more than $30,000.

Finish: We all want plug-in hybrids, but can we afford them?

15 percent by 2035: The reality of plug-in hybrids

How long before all of us drive something like the Volt?

All day long I've been working on a story that I titled 'Fool's Gold: The electrification of the automobile', that I just haven't been able to finish. Now before EV fans go crazy, I'm not arguing against electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles. I'm arguing the reason for these vehicles is to get off oil, especially foreign oil, and to reduce our carbon footprint.

Finish: 15 percent by 2035 - The reality of plug-in hybrids

Chrysler ready to go hybrid in 2010

A wrangler plug-in vehicle

Behind the Wheel has a great piece this morning on Chrysler's new plug-in vehicles. Yesterday, Phil LeBeau was able to drive a couple of Chrysler plug-in prototypes, such as the Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid that functions very much like GM's Chevy Volt. LeBeau was also able to test drive the Dodge EV sports car, an all electric vehicle that left LeBeau impressed.

Even more surprising, Chrysler intends to roll out some of these vehicles by 2010.

Check it out. There is supposed to be a link to view all these test drives, but it wasn't working when I made this post.

Are vehicles like the Volt a key to solar power?

Makes home solar power more cost - effective?

More than 40 US utility companies have partnered with GM to prepare for the Chevy Volt and its impact on the US electric grid. Much of this conversation has focused on smart grid technology, which is a worthy conversation. Yet, it is still a conversation driven by utility control of the grid and all of its energy sources.

Shouldn't a large part of this conversation also be focused on alternative energies, especially solar power? Aren't vehicles, such as the Volt and its large lithium battery pack, excellent ways to maximize home solar power?

Should not battery powered vehicles become a driver of more distributed energy grid solutions?

Hoax? Battery-powered Volt now being tested

Time to start believing?

I've never doubted the Chevy Volt. Of course, maybe GM is only developing the Chevy Volt to protect SUV sales (more), but that's a whole different story. Anyway, now that GM is testing the first Chevy Volt with a lithium-ion battery pack, should all critics finally stop calling the Volt 'vaporware'?

Finish: Battery-powered Chevy Volt being tested: Still vaporware?

The Chevy Volt is a hoax?

Shock: The Chevy Volt was just a marketing ploy?!

I was just forwarded a copy of a secret GM memo between Bob Lutz and Rick Wagoner regarding GM's plans to slowly pull the plug on the Chevy Volt, which I'll post after I check into some legalities.

It turns out that computer models just before the Volt debut at NAIAS demonstrated that GM's plan to achieve 40 miles of pure electricity with the Chevy Volt simply isn't possible without significant advances in lithium technology. Nevertheless, GM went forward with the Volt debut because it was too late to do anything else. Read more....

Flex brothers: Chevy Volt and Cadillac Provoq

E Flex is about more than the Volt

The Chevy Volt is over-rated. Why? Because the car, rather than the technology, is always the focus. For example, while the Toyota Prius is a great car, it's the Hybrid Synergy Drive that matters most, and the same can be said of the E Flex Drive.

Most important, the E Flex drive is not limited to the Volt. Already, GM has showed off the Opel Flextreme which is also an E Flex vehicle. And GM is now ready to show off another E Flex vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas tomorrow, the Cadillac Provoq. Read more..

Chevy Volt: It's the battery, stupid

If only we could plug some Energizers into the Volt

I'm participating in the GM next event today which is focused on the future of GM. One of the hottest topics is the Chevy Volt, and the key to the Volt is the battery technology.

"The enabler for both plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles is in having the right combination of specific energy and specific power with the capability of being able to repeatedly deplete the state of charge of the battery," Gary Smyth, Director of Powertrain Systems Research Laboratory stated. Read more....

Are plug-in hybrid vehicles green?

The Velozzi plug-in multifuel hybrid electric vehicle

X-Prize contender, the Velozzi plug-in hybrid, is a series plug-in hybrid that, in theory, will achieve 100-200 mpg. Like the Chevy Volt, the Velozzi runs on electricity, and can also use any heavy fuel to generate electricity. Unlike the Volt, however, the Velozzi isn't intended to be a heavy fuel-range extended electric vehicle. Velozzi would prefer that biofuels were used to generate your vehicle's electricity, rather than grid electricity - unless a significant percentage of the grid electricity is NOT powered by coal. Finish....