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Tag Archives: Chevy

Volt Charges Ahead – In Outlets Beginning in 2010

GM announced this week that the Chevy Volt is still on schedule for a November 2010 release.   The new plug in hybrid (PHEV) is expected to sell for between $30,000 to $40,000.  However, GM only expects to be able to ramp production to 100,000 a year by 2012.  As a comparison, the Toyota Prius is selling at a rate of almost a quarter a million per year. 

While GM works hard to solve battery delays, cooling issues, and other unexpected issues, other companies are also speeding up their own PHEV development.  Toyota has announced a follow-on Prius PHEV that will be released in 2009 using standard NiMh battery packs, but will follow-up with Li-ion packs in 2010.  Ford has basically given up and said that they hope to have a PHEV available in 5 years.

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The Volt

I like the idea of a hybrid plug-in.  In the long-run, we need a car that will go 30-50 miles on electric-only power, but with an aux on-board source of power for longer range (~250 mile) trips. 

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

When it comes to plugging in, the Volt will be designed to use a common 110–volt household plug. For someone who drives less than 40 miles a day, Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions.(2) For longer trips, Chevy Volt’s range-extending power source kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack as required. We expect a driving range of an estimated 640 miles.(3)

Chevy Voltmfplug1

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Funny Story

So, I am driving East on Rt 70, pretty much just flowing with the traffic (~75MPH).  At some point, I get behind a plain Chevy that is moving along at about 70 MPH in the far left lane.  To be honest, I was not paying close attention and I drifted over to the right and passed the car.  As I go by, I look in my mirror and notice that it was an undercover officer, and he had just turned his lights on.  Crap I say, and pull over to the right and off the road.  As I slow down, the cop passes me, smiling…