GM Builds 150 MPG Car(s) to debut in 2010

PittSpeed Automotive
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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,363203,00.html

Plant flowers in the old SUV — Chevy’s betting America will get turned on by its electric Volt.

Automaking giant General Motors on Tuesday said it was preparing to cut production of gas-guzzling SUVs while clearing the road for the electric hybrid Volt.

The plug-in vehicle, introduced as a concept car in January 2007, will be powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged either via a regular electrical socket when parked or by an onboard generator while driving.

The standard Volt generator will be configured to run on E85 fuel (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline), but other fuel sources, such as diesel, gasoline or even fuel cells are possible.

• Click here for photos.

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The Volt’s internal-combustion generator engine powers only the batteries, not the car’s wheels, meaning that it needs to run at only one speed, maximizing efficiency. Modern diesel-electric rail locomotives have used the same principle for decades.

Fully charged, the Volt should be able to drive about 40 miles before the generator kicks in. The generator’s fuel tank should enable the car to go 400 miles before refueling, allowing it to get the equivalent of 150 miles per gallon.

The automaker said Tuesday it would idle pickup and SUV factories in Janesville, Wis.; Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; Moraine, Ohio; and Toluca, Mexico, as it tries to deal with a shift to smaller vehicles brought on by $4 per gallon gasoline prices.

GM also took aim at the Hummer, one off the largest vehicles on U.S. highways, saying that division would either be sold off or the vehicle overhauled.

The Volt, with an initial production run of 10,000, is expected to hit showrooms in 2010. After that, GM plans to build tens of thousands per year.

More info

http://gm-volt.com/

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That thing is surprisingly not as ugly as I was expecting.

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looks like the problem child of a 5th gen camaro and a sonota

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wonder how well it will move 4 passengers and luggage? probly doesnt have much acceleration so driving it will suck. takes to long to get to speed, cant merge into other roads, etc.

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Less than 6 seconds 0-60

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thats hella quick for electric! that just seems far fetched to me, but electric motors do have some torque…

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With a strangled electrical infrastructure in this country, I am very worried what will happen once millions of these electric cars start getting plugged into the “grid”. Unless more homes go to solar energy or other sources to supplement their increased demand for electricity, we are going to have very frequent rolling black outs. The only other alternative is building more sites to produce energy, but with all the stringent governmental requirements that seems unlikely. With that said, I don’t think that electric cars will be the “silver bullet” when it comes to our energy problems, but with various other forums I think it’s a step in the right direction.

Its not that they have “SOME” TQ, it’s that they have peak TQ at 0-1 rpm, not like an internal combustion engine that makes peak TQ around 4,000-6,000 rpm. So you have full power the second you step on the petal.

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Nuclear power needs to become more frequent.

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i didnt say more, i said they have some torque meaning they produce some power to turn wheels. even then so, it would beable to lay tire with power to turn that car to 60 in 6 seconds or less. thats as fast as my old L98 car was stock. Instant power off the line would be hard to control i think

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regardless, my point being, is that they have peak TQ right off tap, unlike a typical internal combution engine.

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Read the article a little further, 8.5-9 seconds 0-60.

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still faster than your mulletmobile :smiley:

http://www.teslamotors.com/ > volt

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It isn’t a sports car if its not loud…fast…and runs directly on a combustible liquid

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That is badass…but $109,000…ftl