Chevy Volt - How's it work?

[BobM3]

Chevy says it can go about 40 miles on batteries alone but can go another 200 or so miles using a small IC engine that recharges the batteries. So, in effect, the "small" IC engine is moving the car. I'm assuming that performance (acceleration and top speed) are drastically reduced when running on the engine. Or am I missing something?

 

[kchan711]

The Volt's main design purpose for GM is to usher in a new power source away from the ICE. By having a complete electric drive and battery, the back-up power (right now a gas engine) can be switched to a fuel cell in the future if it becomes a viable solution. The Volt is simply a "transition" platform. The same drive technology is used on the Equinox Fuel Cell Research Vehicle. GM is investing countless dollars on researching the technology.

- Kyle

Kyle Chandler

http://www.chiefengineering.net

"To the Pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the Optimist, the glass is half-full. To the Engineer, the glass is twice as large as it needs to be!"

 

[ivymike]

countless? I'm sure they're counting pretty carefully at this point!

 

[kchan711]

Hell, they're probably sending some "muscle" around their facilities to shake the lunch money out of their engineers! Times are difficult.

Kyle Chandler

http://www.chiefengineering.net

"To the Pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the Optimist, the glass is half-full. To the Engineer, the glass is twice as large as it needs to be!"

 

[vinmann]

Wait until the hacks are out to see the potential of the Volt. Some of the Prius hacks are amazing. You can enter a drive plan and in doing so the car can figure how much power it needs to generate in route for the trip. It may do it early if the car needs heat or it may wait until the most uphill portion of the trip. It will try to arrive at its charging point with empty batteries. With GPS and transmitted stoplight data the car will pace itselt for minimal stoping or even slowing down.
It can charge itself at night when the day/night rates drop to their cheapest.
The engine generator battery inverter could provide emergency power at home or anywhere if needed. One Volt could jump charge another if ever a problem arose.
You could charge the batteries form a special internal combustion engine/furnace that generates power while it heats your home.
The goal is to waste as little heat as possible.
This site has a few good articles

http://autoelectronics.com/

Vin

 

[dgallup]

Who gets different electric rates based on time of day? We certainly do not.

 

[patprimmer]

We do in Aus

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers for professional engineers

 

[GregLocock]

They also do in the UK. If you have any aluminium smelters and/or large coal fired power stations near you then you probably do.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.