Chevy Volt

Volt Overview Extended-Range Electric Vehicle Available for mass purchase in 2010 as a 2011 model year Designed to meet the needs of 75% of America's daily commuters Advanced lithium-ion battery pack means no gasoline and zero emissions for up to 40 miles

400 miles on 6 or 7 gallons of gas Charges in 6.5 hours No external charging station required 4 seats $30,000 although the first models might be more expensive ($40,000) 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds a top speed of at least 100 mph Regenerative braking

E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) a plug-in range-extended electric vehicle with an on-board gasoline generator. large battery charged from home electric outlet and connected to an electric motor. electric motor directly propels the car battery lasts for the first 40 miles, then the on- board gasoline/E85 generator will power up Recharges battery which continues to directly propel car

Isn’t this a hybrid? Most hybrids today are parallel hybrids ◦ small electric motor for low speed driving ◦ regular gas engine for acceleration and faster speed driving ◦ both engines work side by side or in parallel The Volt is a series vehicle ◦ the electric motor powers the car at all times ◦ the gas engine is just a generator, making electric to keep the batteries in a steady state of charge.

E-Flex Drive System

E-Flex Drive System 161-horsepower 45KW (100 KW peak) compact AC electric motor 16kW 220-cell lithium ion battery pack 1.0L turbocharged three cylinder international combustion engine ◦ flex-fuel capable ◦ The 53 kW engine combined with the 53 kW generator can maintain and charge the battery pack. 12 gallon fuel tank

Battery Technology is still in the works 220-cell 345 lb. lithium ion battery pack GM is ◦ evaluating products from a A123 ◦ working with Continental ◦ working with CPI ◦ working with LG Chem

Fuel Efficiency A bit complicated, the EPA doesn’t know what to do When the battery has been discharged to its lower limit set-point, the gas engine kicks in to recharge the battery (at approx. 40 miles) The gas engine is rated at 55 mpg When the battery is recharged to an upper limit set-point the gas engine turns off again

To calculate the fuel efficiency for drives longer than 40 miles use the following formula: Total MPG = 55*M/(M-40) Volt has a potential range of 640 miles on a single tank of fuel Range can be increased by refueling without the need to recharge 0.65 cents per kW = $0.85 to recharge

Emissions Zero emissions for trips under 40 miles Above 40 miles emissions will be similar to other 4-cyl low displacement gasoline powered automobile. General Motors apparently claims that operating the Volt for a year, results in the reduction of about 4.4 tonnes (4.3 LT/4.9 ST) in CO 2 emissions as compared to a typical U.S. car Battery charging emissions American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ◦ a typical plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is expected to achieve about a 15% reduction in net CO2 emissions compared to the driver of a regular hybrid, ◦ in areas where less than 80% of grid-power comes from coal- burning power plants, local net CO2 emissions will decrease Potential for charge with green energy sources

Concerns about the Volt Battery ◦ “Industry sources tell us the claims about the Volt’s batteries are wildly optimistic when weight, cost, capacity, and longevity are considered.” ◦ Battery supplier still not decided ◦ Technology is still too-expensive, $10,000 vs. $5,000 ◦ With anticipated release date of 2010, this technology should be solidified ◦ Safety? Toyota was saying that safety was a big issue with the volt, but are now embracing similar technology.

Cost ◦ $30,000 not realistic ◦ Even at $50,000 GM wouldn’t see much profit ◦ Government incentives a big wildcard ◦ Gas at or near $3.60 per gallon= $1500 of savings annually. ◦ Volt costs extra $20,000 compared with conventional compacts. ◦ Recouping the investment likely to take 10 years, which point the battery must be replaced

The Future of GM Viability Plan presented to congress TODAY New administration in favor of green energy and green jobs ???

Bibliography html merald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&d ocid= KEN= &ItemID=418&CategoryID=7 specifications-on-the-chevy-volt/ specifications-on-the-chevy-volt/ _machines/running_on_empty_is_the_2011_chevrolet_volt_hype_ or_hope_car_news+t-technology:_%E2%80%9Ce- rev,%E2%80%9D_not_%E2%80%9Cplug-in%E2%80%9D+page- 2.html