Volt Batteries Ready In 2008

[Volty]

Looks like GM is getting serious with the Volt. This is great news for those of us that want to see the alternative fuel movement take a step forward.

Over the next 12 months, researchers from, Compact Power, Continental Automotive Systems and GM will be testing the battery-pack designs in the lab and in vehicles to confirm that the packs can work for the life of the car--at least 10 years, says Denise Gray, director of hybrid energy storage devices at GM. Initial tests of individual battery cells, along with projections about the performance of battery packs that can contain hundreds of these cells, have Gray optimistic that her company will have proven packs by June 2008.[/b]

http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18833/

[ozyran]

Hmm...guess they really are beginning to focus in on the development of the car. Let's see if they actually get this concept off of the ground.

Also, I think it would be wise for the engineers to revise the body lines of the car to make it a little more aerodynamic.

Speaking of which, where'd the designers that came up with great-looking concepts like the Banshee concept of the late '80s, the Corvette Stingray III, and other similar cars go?

When did aero designs suddenly disappear to?

More to the point, it is great news to see the corporation actually trying to go someplace with the design.

[Stev0]

Over the next 12 months, researchers from, Compact Power, Continental Automotive Systems and GM will be testing the battery-pack designs in the lab and in vehicles to confirm that the packs can work for the life of the car--at least 10 years, says Denise Gray, director of hybrid energy storage devices at GM. Initial tests of individual battery cells, along with projections about the performance of battery packs that can contain hundreds of these cells, have Gray optimistic that her company will have proven packs by June 2008.[/b]

And I'm optimistic that I'll run off with Salma Hayak right after I win the lottery.

Hoping something will happen isn't the same as something that already happened.

OK, so admittedly they're heading in the right direction, but they have miles to go.

[hill]

Meanwhile, as GM spouts more and more about their non existent volt ... they just recently released their latest and greatest "new-green" vehicle . . . another high priced, super duper powerful gas guzzlin' V8 SUV with an extrordinary humongous price tag.

gotta love it.

[hampdenwireless]

The Volt could never be sold by GM before 2009 due to how slow the company is, and 2011 is more likley a target date.....

But if they made one in 2008-2009 and it was less then $30,000 I would buy one as soon as I could. The volt is easy enough for GM to build, in its own way its less complex then the Prius and it fits my needs almost perfectly. I have a 30 mile commute and can plug in at BOTH SIDES. '

Again wishfull thinking but it would be my first new purchase of any GM product.

[boulder_bum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Jun 9 2007, 08:25 PM) [snapback]458952[/snapback]</div>

Meanwhile, as GM spouts more and more about their non existent volt ... they just recently released their latest and greatest "new-green" vehicle . . . another high priced, super duper powerful gas guzzlin' V8 SUV with an extrordinary humongous price tag.

gotta love it.
[/b]

See here:

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID.../706060341/1014

WILMINGTON, Del. -- General Motors Corp. moved closer Tuesday toward sparking the electric-powered Chevrolet Volt to life, announcing two contracts for developing the concept car's high-tech battery packs.

The announcement came a day before GM Chairman Rick Wagoner is to visit Capitol Hill to argue that GM and other automakers shouldn't face tough increases in fuel economy standards, citing GM's work on the Volt as proof of its environmental efforts...
[/b]

I'm still trying to figure out if the Volt represents a new direction for GM, or is just a propaganda project to improve their image and sell more trucks and SUVs. It certainly doesn't sit well with me that GM is using the Volt as an argument that congress shouldn't impose stricter fuel economy standards.

That said, if GM develops the the Volt, I really do hope it's a roaring success so GM will be motivated to change their focus.

[Topgas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Jun 9 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]458996[/snapback]</div>

See here:

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID.../706060341/1014
I'm still trying to figure out if the Volt represents a new direction for GM, or is just a propaganda project to improve their image and sell more trucks and SUVs. It certainly doesn't sit well with me that GM is using the Volt as an argument that congress shouldn't impose stricter fuel economy standards.

That said, if GM develops the the Volt, I really do hope it's a roaring success so GM will be motivated to change their focus.
[/b]

It gets down to money, and the big three can't make any loot from these type of vehicles because of their built in overhead they can't get rid of. They're trying to buy time like they always do, nobody at the big three wants to deal with the real solutions that won't be pretty. Even if it's PR, it'd nice to see the Volt come to life soon. If history is any indicator, I'd bet it will be a day late and dollar short.

[JSH]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Jun 9 2007, 10:43 PM) [snapback]458996[/snapback]</div>

I'm still trying to figure out if the Volt represents a new direction for GM, or is just a propaganda project to improve their image and sell more trucks and SUVs. It certainly doesn't sit well with me that GM is using the Volt as an argument that congress shouldn't impose stricter fuel economy standards.

That said, if GM develops the the Volt, I really do hope it's a roaring success so GM will be motivated to change their focus.
[/b]

I find GM's whole argument to be humorous at best. They say they will have the Volt ready by 2010 to 2012 and claim no gas used for 40 miles, 120 mpg for 60 miles, and 50 mpg for an infinite range. Yet they claim that is is impossible to raise their fleet average from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by 2020, 8 years after this technological wonder will be available. So if they build the Volt they prove themselves wrong when they claim they can't improve their fuel economy.

[Stev0]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Jun 10 2007, 08:51 AM) [snapback]459122[/snapback]</div>

I find GM's whole argument to be humorous at best. They say they will have the Volt ready by 2010 to 2012 and claim no gas used for 40 miles, 120 mpg for 60 miles, and 50 mpg for an infinite range. Yet they claim that is is impossible to raise their fleet average from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by 2020, 8 years after this technological wonder will be available. So if they build the Volt they prove themselves wrong when they claim they can't improve their fuel economy.
[/b]

You'll just see more of their world-class backpeddling, like how they now conveniently forget they used to constantly whine that people would never put up with having to spend money on air bags.

[usbseawolf2000]

In my opinion, from what I've read (SAE-AEI) about Denise Gray, she doesn't seem to have the knowledge and experience to handle Volt battery pack. She is also in charge of all the battery packs including the 2-mode pack with Cobasys/A123.