1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Volt to get 200 mile EV Range in 2yrs

Discussion in 'Chevrolet Volt' started by hill, Jan 23, 2014.

  1. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Sergiospl likes this.
  2. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,155
    4,146
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I think the have been inhaling exhaust fumes too long.
    However, I hope they do, the more competition the better.
     
  3. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2011
    3,938
    1,351
    28
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    First, unless he's sitting on the Board of Directors, this guy's out so whatever he says doesn't matter.

    Second, GM isn't entirely stupid. It's not that they CAN'T build an EV, they chose NOT to build an EV. They are smart enough to see that Tesla has no problem selling EVs and have the "long range" market to themselves.

    Third, Elon Musk has basically said the same thing. The difference is that we believe he'll deliver.

    So, if we have a choice between a $35000ish Tesla & GM in a few years where's the down side? The big question is "How is Tesla going to engineer the cost out of the vehicle?" Reduce performance? Reduce quality? Reduce capability?

    Tesla has one platform, one vehicle, and one vision. They don't have history, bureaucracy, and internal competition. Can the newbie at GM cut through the crap and deliver a competitive vehicle? We'll see.
     
  5. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,155
    4,146
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Isn't that a Queen song?


    That is a very interesting question.
    Part of the price saving will be in the lower costs of batteries in 2-3 years (should be about 15% less expensive).
    Barring a change in battery chemistry, the smaller battery pack will result in less performance. However, the 200 mile range is within a few percent of the current 60 kWh. With a smaller body the car should actually get better performance. Those two factors may balance out so it has the same performance, slightly better or slightly worse.

    The smaller size of the car will be less expensive as well.

    I would also not be surprised if they take a smaller profit margin. Their base Model S could sell for about 57k if they only took a 5% margin instead of the 25% margin they currently get.

    Of course, this is all wild speculation at this point. It will be fun to see Tesla develope as well as the competition.
     
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  7. dbcassidy

    dbcassidy Toyota Hybrid Nation, 8 Million Strong

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    1,581
    290
    3
    Location:
    Middlesex County, MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Tesla has one platform, one vehicle, and one vision. They don't have history, bureaucracy, and internal competition. Can the newbie at GM cut through the crap and deliver a competitive vehicle? We'll see.




    Good point, GM will be the same old, same old.

    DBCassidy
     
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Newbie? She's been at GM for some 30-odd years per Exclusive: The Inside Story of GM's Comeback and Mary Barra's Rise - Businessweek

    And, GM has had a revolving door of CEOs since Rick Wagoner was fired, including some folks who really weren't car guys (including Akerson).
    From GM Names Its First Female CEO Mary Barra:
    So yeah... I do not know, hard to say if she'll really be able to affect positive chance considering the type of crap GM put out during some her time there.
     
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    (delete, darn double post)