Get ready, Chevy Volt due this November. Update!!!

[1969chargerrtse]

I can find plenty of ways to hate on the Volt without being political or ignorant. The primary reason I have for not buying one is that I can't drive anywhere that I normally go except Lowe's or the grocery store and still be within its EV range (I drive 28 miles each way to work, 39 each way to visit my parents, etc.). So, effectively, I will get roughly the same (or worse) MPG as a $16k Toyota Corolla and there's no amount of love for the earth, the USA, or technology that will cause me to make that dumb of a financial decision. I still think these cars could be great for someone living in the city (as long as they have somewhere to put the charger) - but certainly aren't ideal (or smart) for everyone. The sales numbers make that abundantly clear as well.
Troy

Exactly.  I don't understand the heated passion between the supporters and the haters of this thing; as I said in an earlier post the best that the Volt or any car of its like can do is provide a car buyer with choice, and which resource they would like to use to propel their mobility.  Alternative energy cars are not about saving the planet/environment, weaning us off of foreign oil or curing AIDS, contrary to what the marketing campaigns or their frothy mouthed, cult like followers would have you believe (such as my Prius hugging friend for example, although he's getting ready to buy a 2013 Camaro LOL).  I see how it could work for some people, and not for others, as Troy stated...

I agree with you a 100%.  I argue with stupid comments that have nothing to do with the car.  To me it was always two ways to choose your fuel and one way is really thrifty, nothing more.  The only difference is I think and hope cars that wean off of oil and gas do have some effect on lowering prices one day.  

Caught one zipping around a corner today.  We should start a " Chevy Volt spotter " thread. 

[PocketThunder]

Caught one zipping around a corner today.  We should start a " Chevy Volt spotter " thread. 

I think a "Chicks on Volts" thread will gain more traction...             

[moparstuart]

Caught one zipping around a corner today.  We should start a " Chevy Volt spotter " thread. 

I think a "Chicks on Volts" thread will gain more traction...             

she's not GREEN enough 

[1969chargerrtse]

Ha. Cute, nice heels, pretty dress, but yeah she's not enough somewhere else for me.

[PocketThunder]

Ha. Cute, nice heels, pretty dress, but yeah she's not enough somewhere else for me.

Take your pic.. 

[1969chargerrtse]

Ha. Cute, nice heels, pretty dress, but yeah she's not enough somewhere else for me.

Take your pic.. 

I gotta pass on all of them.  Gee I'm not liking the Volt crowd after all.

[TUFCAT]

Hell, I'd hit at least two of them right away!  

With enough beers, I'd offer a couple more chicks this "opportunity".   I betcha I've done worse...

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Caught one zipping around a corner today.  We should start a " Chevy Volt spotter " thread. 

I think a "Chicks on Volts" thread will gain more traction...             

I'll take anything with Alison Brie. But why is she standing in front of/wearing a garbage bag?

[1969chargerrtse]

See. Already technology is moving ahead to make electric cars more user friendly. The EV world just started. Give the 100 plus years the piston engine has had and  see where it will be.
"

Eight global automakers to participate in charging display and will demo the standardized single-port DC-fast charging technology
The system will optimize customer ease of use and will accelerate more affordable deployment of electrified vehicles and charging infrastructure
The Society of International Engineers has chosen the single-port fast charging method as its standard for fast charging and the European manufacturing association (ACEA) has endorsed harmonization for all vehicle types
Chargers will be available commercially as of the end of 2012 and vehicles using the technology will be available starting 2013
May 3, 2012, Los Angeles

-
Global automakers from the United States and Germany will demonstrate fast-charging technology that will enable the recharging of most electrified vehicles with compatible systems in as little as 15-20 minutes.

Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach – called DC-fast charging with a Combined Charging System – for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States. Live charging demonstrations will be conducted during the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EVS26) May 6-9.

The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure.

The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has chosen the Combined Charging System as the fast-charging methodology for a standard that incrementally extends the existing Type 1-based AC-charging. The standard is to be officially published this summer. ACEA, the European association of vehicle manufacturers has also selected the Combined Charging System as its AC/DC-charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017. "

http://insideevs.com/global-automakers-to-demo-ev-fast-charging-at-evs26-2/

[1969chargerrtse]

Oh and while we're at it. Another good month for the Volt and GM workers.  

http://insideevs.com/chevrolet-posts-another-strong-month-for-the-volt-1492-sold/

[J-440]

 Cool!! When that polished turd gets some styling and drops below $22,000 and I get my bailout money back I just might buy one!!

[Vainglory, Esq.]

IJLTH

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-news-first-responders-are-now.html

[Tilar]

IJLTH

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-news-first-responders-are-now.html

I didn't realise that the built in BBQ Grille option had been fully implimented yet. I know it makes me want to run right out and buy one. 

[1969chargerrtse]

You guys can come up with all the silly things you want about electric cars, but not only are they here but they are growing fast in numbers. Wait until Hydrogen cells replace the batteries, then O my, what will we do then? Oooooooh.

[Tilar]

To me hydrogen cells are realistic, Battery power has been proven to cost more than they are worth.

[1969chargerrtse]

To me hydrogen cells are realistic, Battery power has been proven to cost more than they are worth.

It's a start anyway. Batteries have already made huge changes and now they have a way to charge them even faster. One point I've always made is this is new technology.  Give it time. The gas engine has had lots of time.

[J-440]

 Heck yeah, I'm all for new technology. It's what makes America great.  Remember when Henry Ford came out with his first car?  I'm sure he had a ton of skeptics saying that it would never replace the horse and buggy.  You know it would'nt be too hard to convert our Chargers into electric vehicles...perish the thought, but it could be done.   

[1969chargerrtse]

Heck yeah, I'm all for new technology. It's what makes America great.  Remember when Henry Ford came out with his first car?  I'm sure he had a ton of skeptics saying that it would never replace the horse and buggy.  You know it would'nt be too hard to convert our Chargers into electric vehicles...perish the thought, but it could be done.   

" Heck yeah, I'm all for new technology. It's what makes America great. "  Positive attitude. 

[1969chargerrtse]

On a American Idol commercial last night Ford showed their new electric car. I think it makes our cars all the cooler if you're into mechanics.

[1969chargerrtse]

The future of electricity is boundless.

" An experiment leads to a shocking discovery.  A research team at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed a virus that generates electricity when prodded.  ABC News explains...

"By pressing down on this thin rubbery film, Professor Seung-Wuk Lee is generating electricity--enough to power a small digital circuit."

The circuit is being powered by what scientists are calling harmless genetically engineered viruses.

When pressure is applied to these layers, they convert the mechanical force into electricity.

Science magazine notes this isn't the first invention to harness mechanical energy in this way.

"They take advantage of the "piezoelectric effect," which was first discovered in 1880 and is a property of certain crystals, proteins, and even DNA...Today, piezoelectrics are used in everything from electric lighters to scanning tunneling microscopes."

What makes these viruses different is they're biological--making them safer, cheaper, and easier to handle than similar generators.

"The piezoelectric devices that are currently on the market rely upon toxic materials such as lead and lithium ... (so) ... scientists turned to a biological solution."


While the model generator isn't quite ready for commercial implementation, researchers hope the device will lead to more research and development. "

[mauve66]

oh great, a biological virus, in the military we called that chemical warfare............

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Do they come with fire extinguishers as standard equipment yet?   

[1969chargerrtse]

Do they come with fire extinguishers as standard equipment yet?   

Someone needs to do a little research. That someone is you. Not needed. The test was flawed, the batteries were never disconnected from the wreck as they should have been as with any car. The car was given a go ahead by NHTSA.

[Tilar]

Hell, I'd hit at least two of them right away!  

With enough beers, I'd offer a couple more chicks this "opportunity".   I betcha I've done worse...

I know I have... Had one that I was tempted to gnaw my arm off so I wouldn't wake her up when I got ready to leave. There is truth to that song "The girls all get prettier at closing time"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zagpJ--BVc

[1969chargerrtse]

Msn just did a great article on some great cars, including

" Chevrolet Volt
The Volt is a different take on the electric car. Though it always runs on electricity, it has an internal-combustion engine to charge the battery and extend the driving range. Chevrolet calls it an extended-range electric vehicle, and it's an elegant solution to the range-anxiety problem of the Nissan LEAF. Like the LEAF, the Volt is the first of what is sure to be many such electrics. The Fisker Karma uses the same type of system, but costs close to $100,000, more than double the cost of the Volt. Until battery technology progresses enough to increase a vehicle's range to 300 miles or more, extended-range electrics will be more practical than battery-electric vehicles. "

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/autos-in-a-league-of-their-own?icid=autos_2798#9