Volt potentially mechanically driven

[Kyle2k]

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/...a-true-ev.html

[FenwickHockey65]

Meh. It's Edmunds.

[Mr. Wyndham]

That's....different. It will be interesting to see how GM responds.

On the flip side....how often do you plan to go above 70mph in the Volt? This "revelation", if true...doesn't matter.

[The_Blur]

I'm outraged by the lack of journalistic ethic in that article. I haven't seen such biased so-called journalism outside of a communist country since propaganda films from WWII.

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

That's....different. It will be interesting to see how GM responds.

On the flip side....how often do you plan to go above 70mph in the Volt? This "revelation", if true...doesn't matter.

Duh! Everyone knows "Green" drivers are topping out their EVs every chance they get.

[lil_chef]

that article was awful...... just.....so.....f'ing awful. that was written with the sole intentions of degrading GM's reputation. how come no where in the freaking article did they write:

"despite this misleading and irrelevant information, the Volt is achieving the promised levels of MPG. (the attribute of the car that ACTUALLY MATTERS)"

in motortrend's first drive they recorded 126 mpg...... compare that to the traditional prius's 50ish........

that article could very well be considered an example of "trolling" in journalism

[DeathChill]

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-g...ic-car-2010-10

Apparently GM wasn't completely truthful about how the car worked? I don't really care that they "lied", but it's interesting, I think.

EDIT: I see it was already posted under a very nondescript title.

[nester7929]

Idiots. It's always had the engine, this has been known for at least 2 years.

[PAUL SS]

If the gasoline engine is used to power the drive wheels, well that is news to me. I always understood that the gas engine only powered a generator to recharge the batteries or to make elctricity to drive the electric motor(s). If this is not the case and the mileage stated in the article is true, I will be disappointed. There needs to be some clarification on this.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-g...ic-car-2010-10

Apparently GM wasn't completely truthful about how the car worked? I don't really care that they "lied", but it's interesting, I think.

EDIT: I see it was already posted under a very nondescript title.

You've been merged.

[20Camaro11]

Anyways, I am sure there is a motive behind this, I find it hard to believe they are just now understanding how this car works.

" That's enough for Mr. Oldham to claim GM lied to the world and to then go ahead and endorse (via a retweet on Twitter) the all-electric Nissan Leaf (full disclosure — Mr. Oldham's brother works for Nissan) as the only choice for an electric car."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-g...#ixzz124hxDasq

Wonder what other angles there is to this. I understood the Volt to work pretty much exactly how described in the above articles that proclaim sinister lies from GM. I didn't realize that the gasoline engine started at 70mhp+ speeds, but it makes sense. It is still a nice product and used for the purpose advertised ( a commuter vehicle), I bet it returns decent mileage. I have yet to see any rush hour in Columbus, Ohio where you can do 70Mph into the city. Just my opinion

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by PAUL SS

If the gasoline engine is used to power the drive wheels, well that is news to me. I always understood that the gas engine only powered a generator to recharge the batteries or to make elctricity to drive the electric motor(s). If this is not the case and the mileage stated in the article is true, I will be disappointed. There needs to be some clarification on this.

I believe the new set up is that the gasoline engine will engage to assist the electric motors when the car needs to go above 70 MPH.

However, I really don't even know if that's the case. I'm waiting for GM to say something about this because it's all a huge cluster**** right now.

[BigRigMike]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I believe the new set up is that the gasoline engine will engage to assist the electric motors when the car needs to go above 70 MPH.

However, I really don't even know if that's the case. I'm waiting for GM to say something about this because it's all a huge cluster**** right now.

Reading on GM-volt.com it mentions that the outer ring gear needs to turn when over 70 mph. When the car has a charged battery, an electric motor will turn the gear. But, if the battery is getting low, then the engine will fire up to turn the gear and provide 10-15% of the power to the wheels.

Full Explanation:

"When the car reaches 70 mph the main motor spins too fast to be maximally efficient, and a clutch disengages the ring from the case. This allows the second electric motor to participate and both motors act in parallel to reach speeds of 101 mph with adequate power.

In charge sustaining mode, the gas engine goes on and clutches to the generator causing it to produce electricity to continue powering the main motor.

However of particular interest, when going above 70 mph in charge sustaining mode, and the generator gets coupled to the drivetrain, the gas engine participates in the motive force. GM says the engine never drives the wheels all by itself, but will participate in this particular situation in the name of efficiency, which is improved by 10 to 15 percent."


http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-...ts-powertrain/

[20Camaro11]

Originally Posted by BigRigMike

Reading on GM-volt.com it mentions that the outer ring gear needs to turn when over 70 mph. When the cars has a charged battery an electric motor will turn the gear. But, if the battery is getting low then the engine will fire up to turn the gear and provide 10-15% of the power to the wheels.

Full Explanation:

"When the car reaches 70 mph the main motor spins too fast to be maximally efficient, and a clutch disengages the ring from the case. This allows the second electric motor to participate and both motors act in parallel to reach speeds of 101 mph with adequate power.

In charge sustaining mode, the gas engine goes on and clutches to the generator causing it to produce electricity to continue powering the main motor.

However of particular interest, when going above 70 mph in charge sustaining mode, and the generator gets coupled to the drivetrain, the gas engine participates in the motive force. GM says the engine never drives the wheels all by itself, but will participate in this particular situation in the name of efficiency, which is improved by 10 to 15 percent."


http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-...ts-powertrain/

thanks for the info...seems like there is not much here besides a few journalists (most likely feeding off each others own ignorance) creating some news.