Volt Production Announced
 

Amid much speculation about GM's intent on wether they would really produce the Chevy Volt or not, they have officially announced that they are tooling up for production with a target date for the first car rolling off the line at the end of 2009. Yes, they are really going to make it. :thumbup:

And it comes without batteries!

How long before road taxes are applied to garage outlets or an extra, substantial tax is added to electric vehicle registrations? It is necessary, afterall, to pay for the road that they use. It's about revenue.

I am extremely happy to see this. Now, just sell a version of it with a price tag under 30k so I can buy one!

Then again, living 4 miles from work in about 6 months an electric scooter from Wal-Mart would probably get me all I need.

why not a 50cc scoot or even a 10 speed bicycle?

*edit* that was intended for dkjones not as a response to the volt coming out. I am excited more because of the fact that a plug in hybrid will be coming to the market and maybe others would follow that are less expensive in years to come

All electric range on the Gen II EV1 was 75-150 miles.... they're only giving us 40.... and for a $40k+ pricetag I can almost promise you.

Wikipedia says the EV1 w/ lease payments added up would've cost consumers $33k base model, so I guess the $40k for the Volt isn't bad w/ inflation 10 years later, but damn, give us 150 mile capability, if your 10 year old technology could do it, STOP HOLDING BACK TO BENEFIT OFF US AND JUST PROVIDE THE BEST PRODUCT POSSIBLE.

note: the highlighted text above should be laughed at by everyone reading it due to its comical nature.

I don't see the need for range beyond 40 miles for most people. I'm not talking about you folk who commute an hour each direction in LA, because on the national level, you really aren't 'most people'. A 40 mile range would be enough for both myself and my wife to take care of our daily business without ever having to use a drop of gasoline or worry about a mid-day recharge. Even if my employer were on the complete opposite end of my metro area of 250,000 people, it would still be enough range for the work commute.

That said, I've got a paid off Escort that would be silly to junk for a $40k volt. So anybody trying to make a convincing financial arguement for one of these things is simply being ridiculous without the assumption that they are definately going to purchase a new car in that price range anyway.

For a mass produced vehicle that is supposed to change everything, this just non-sense, you'd hear stories of people getting stuck on the roads and needing to be towed home.

Thats why the Volt has a "backup" gasoline engine (I dont know why they didn't go diesel though) to act as a generator when the batteries goes out. That means more weight, less space for batteries and more production costs. Its definitly a step ahead of the hybrid scene though, I like.

The Volt does uses gasoline.

yea really 40 miles would have ALOT of people to work, stores, and back home under full electric...

im sure it will have a battery gauge much like a fuel gauge, the only people who will run out of power are the same ones who run outa gas.....

im sure back in early 1900's people were saying the same things between horses and cars...

I think the point is that people dont want a car that is stuck in the city and can't go on the highways, it takes a while to recharge it not like pouring gas into a tank when you are on the side of the road, you need to tow it back and charge for hours.

That would eliminate alot of potential customer IMO.

2 things:

4 doors:thumbup:

75% of commuters? not gonna happen at that price.:thumbdown:

I would drive a Volt since my daily commute, round trip, is only 30 miles.

Since the rumors on the internet state you will be able to plug-in to a 120VAC outlet, you could recharge at work to double your range to 80 miles. Noel Perrin in the 1990's was able to convince his employer to add an outlet in the parking lot so he could recharge during the day. I see no reason why most employers would disagree to this today as well.

Here is another source for Volt photos:
https://gm-volt.com/2008/09/16/the-da...lt-was-reborn/

Here is the unofficial Volt waiting list:
https://gm-volt.com/join-us/

The Volt waiting list has generated a lot of interest in news media, sign up today to be part of it all! GM Volt Waiting List Grows -WallStrip
https://www.casanovacars.com/2007/02/...20gm_volt2.jpg

No matter what happens with cost/battery capacity, I will be driving one. To many people know I support it!

Does it have to hit the lowest common denomenator?

Few things do for new consumer products. This has been true for the first cars, LCD TV's, cable, cell phones, computers, LED bulbs...where should we end the list?

I don't find an electric car very attractive at all, but the look, the image, and the "opportunities" of an electric car probably fall within the demographic of a family that makes a good deal of money. They want to try out something new and cool.

Tesla tried, but shot too high with the cost? Do they even have a product yet to sell?

don't misunderstand me. i fully comprehend economics. GM, for one, cannot afford to sell any vehicle for low/zero profit as honda and toyota have.

just don't advertise to the general public that "we" can eliminate all but 25% of gas consuming daily commuters. presumably it meant 25% drive more than 40 miles, but even then they're figuring on 100% of those within that range.

it is absolutely a good, first step.

BTW, it's the same in my shade/solar thread...

$120 per panel, even at high yield, is steep! yes the rich and large corps will buy them, but the rest of us...

i like GM, so i hope the volt project really takes off!

Well, ya gotta give them credit for trying. Even if they are crying uncle under a full nelson. Let's hope it helps save thier butts.

A great video to watch is "Car of the Future" available on Netflix Instant view for members. The Click and Clack Car Talk brothers tour and talk about all the the technologies people are talking about and one I had not heard about that was really interesting. Description follows:
----------------------------------------
Brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi -- best known as the hosts of National Public Radio's "Car Talk" -- travel to Boston, Detroit, Iceland and Colorado on a quest to find the perfect car to replace Tom's beloved 1952 MG. Examining wide a range of ethanol, hydrogen, electrical and hybrid technologies, the siblings bring their trademark mix of wisecracking humor and comprehensive automotive knowledge to this engaging installment of "Nova."

If the electric car become commun, electricity price will go up the roof, and they would somehow produce it with fosil fuel (cold, even oil...). Chinese will join in and it will be the same problem again.

We need better solar panel...