Help Support EV News Report
EV News Report is not a non-profit

You are browsing the archive for Volt Archives – EV News Report.

Avatar of EV News

by EV News

Chevrolet Volt Owners Surpass Half a Billion Electric Miles

June 17, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV enthusiast, EV News, GM, Volt

After 30 months of use, a sampling of Volts shows consistent all-electric range

Infographic courtesy of GM

Infographic courtesy of GM

DETROIT Since its launch in late 2010, Chevrolet Volt owners have accumulated more than half a billion all-electric miles.

Additionally, based on a General Motors’ study of more than 300 Volts in service in California for more than 30 months, many owners are exceeding the EPA-rated label of 35 miles of EV range per full charge, with about 15 percent surpassing 40 miles of range.

“The fact that most of the folks who purchased the Volt at launch are still enjoying EV range performance on target with when they took delivery is testament to the attention to detail our team paid to delivering on our promise of most people driving all electrically most of the time,” said Pam Fletcher, Chevrolet Volt executive chief engineer.

Volt owners are doing more than 63 percent of their overall driving in EV mode. While the driving range in EV mode can be greatly impacted by temperature, driving technique and terrain, the ease with which Volt drivers are avoiding gasoline use further shows the Volt’s suitability for almost any lifestyle.

Volt owners who charge regularly typically drive more than 970 miles between fill-ups and visit the gas station less than once a month. The 2014 Volt provides owners with fuel economy of EPA estimated 98 MPGe (electric) and 35 city/40 highway on gasoline power, saving $1,450 in annual fuel costs with no change in daily driving habits.

In an independent study conducted between July and December 2013, Volt drivers who participated in the Department of Energy’s EV Project managed by Idaho National Labs totaled 1,198,114 vehicle trips of which 974,692, or 81.4 percent, were completed without the gasoline-powered generator being used.

Since the Volt was launched in 2010, owners have helped to reduce gasoline consumption by more than 25 million gallons, the equivalent of no gasoline being used in Washington D.C. for 2½ months.

The Volt continues to attract new buyers to Chevrolet with 69 percent of Volt buyers new to GM. The Toyota Prius is the most frequently traded-in vehicle for a Volt.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About General Motors

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

This article is a repost, credit: GM.

Avatar of EV News

by EV News

GM Invests $449 Million for Next Generation Electrification

April 10, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, GM, Volt

General Motors announced that it will invest $449 to upgrade manufacturing processes at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants in preparation for the next generation of electric vehicles and advanced battery technologies. The announcement was made Tuesday, April 8, 2014 by Gerald Johnson, GM North America Manufacturing vice-president. Infographic courtesy of GM

General Motors announced that it will invest $449 to upgrade manufacturing processes at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants in preparation for the next generation of electric vehicles and advanced battery technologies. The announcement was made Tuesday, April 8, 2014 by Gerald Johnson, GM North America Manufacturing vice-president.
Infographic courtesy of GM

DETROIT – In preparation for the next generation of electric vehicles and advanced battery technologies, General Motors will invest $449 million to upgrade manufacturing processes at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants.

“General Motors is committed to building award-winning products and developing technologies in America, which helps to grow our economy from a resurgent auto industry,” said Gerald Johnson, GM North America Manufacturing vice president. “These investments will help the next-generation Chevrolet Volt build on its position as the leader in electrified propulsion.”

The investment, announced at the Automotive Press Association, is the largest to date at both facilities and includes $384 million at Detroit-Hamtramck for new Body Shop tooling, equipment, and additional plant upgrades to build the next generation Chevrolet Volt and two future products. This brings GM’s total investment at Detroit-Hamtramck to more than $1 billion over the last five years.

GM’s $65 million investment at its Brownstown Battery Assembly will support the next generation of lithium-ion battery production and future battery systems.

“Michigan is poised for even greater global leadership in automotive innovation,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said. “This significant investment by GM will harness the power of our state’s unparalleled assets, such as its talent, world-class universities, and research and development capabilities.

“While challenges remain throughout the auto industry, this announcement shows that it is looking to the future, and the resulting technological advancements will strengthen our economy and benefit our environment,” Snyder said. “This is great news for Detroit, the region and all of Michigan.”

Since 2009, GM has announced more than $5.4 billion in U.S. facility investment for vehicle technologies that benefit customers. This includes more than $2.8 billion invested in Michigan-based facilities alone.

The Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant is the world’s only automotive plant that mass-produces extended-range electric vehicles – including the Volt, Cadillac ELR and Opel Ampera – for markets in 33 countries. Detroit-Hamtramck also builds the Chevrolet Malibu and Impala sedans and is home to a 264,000-square-foot photovoltaic solar array that can generate up to 516 kilowatts of electricity, or enough to charge 150 electric vehicles per day.

“This is a significant investment by General Motors and it helps to further position Detroit as a leader in the innovative technologies of tomorrow,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “We anticipate that the upgrading of the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant and the production of GM’s next-generation electric vehicles will create well-paying jobs for Detroiters. As we continue to bring real change to our city, we need partners like GM who are committed to investing in our future.”

Brownstown Battery Assembly’s 479,000-square-foot, landfill-free facility south of Detroit produces the lithium-ion battery packs for GM’s extended-range electric vehicles. It started mass production in October 2010 and is the first high-volume manufacturing site in the U.S. operated by a major automaker for automotive lithium-ion battery production. The site was made possible with the help of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through the U.S. Department of Energy.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

This article is a repost, credit: GM. Video courtesy of GM.

Avatar of EV News

by EV News

General Motors Increases Battery Development Expertise

September 16, 2013 in Battery Energy Storage, Electric Vehicles, EV News, GM, Volt

Nearly triples size of Global Battery Systems Lab since opening in 2009

General Motors announces Monday, September 16, 2013, it has expanded its Global Battery Systems Laboratory in Warren, Michigan, where it tests and validates both battery cells and packs for all of GM's vehicle electrification systems, including the battery systems for the Chevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, Chevrolet Spark EV and GM's eAssist light electrification system. The expanded lab features dedicated equipment for future vehicle battery system development, building of prototype battery packs for vehicle development programs, and a hub for validation and testing of all future battery systems designed for use in GM vehicles. The facility is the largest battery lab in North America owned and operated by a major auto manufacturer.  (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) Courtesy of GM

General Motors announces Monday, September 16, 2013, it has expanded its Global Battery Systems Laboratory in Warren, Michigan, where it tests and validates both battery cells and packs for all of GM’s vehicle electrification systems, including the battery systems for the Chevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, Chevrolet Spark EV and GM’s eAssist light electrification system. The expanded lab features dedicated equipment for future vehicle battery system development, building of prototype battery packs for vehicle development programs, and a hub for validation and testing of all future battery systems designed for use in GM vehicles. The facility is the largest battery lab in North America owned and operated by a major auto manufacturer. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)
Courtesy of GM

WARREN, Mich. – General Motors has nearly tripled the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory, cementing the lab’s stature as the largest battery lab in North America owned and operated by a major auto manufacturer.

The latest addition of 50,000 square feet brings to 85,000 the total square footage of the lab. The expansion made possible the increase in the number of pack-level test channels from 64 to 112 and cell-level test channels from 96 to120.

“In the past four years, the competitive landscape in the electrification space has grown exponentially. This has required us to raise our game and draw a new line in the sand,” said Doug Parks, GM vice president, global product programs. “To maintain our battery leadership, this additional real estate is filled with new capability that will help us improve speed to market for our next generation of battery systems and help us improve the value equation to our customers around the world.”

GM’s Global Battery Systems Lab has been responsible for testing and validating both battery cells and packs for all of GM’s vehicle electrification systems, including the battery systems for the Chevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, Chevrolet Spark EV and GM’s eAssist light electrification system.

The additional capabilities of the lab expansion include:

  • dedicated equipment for future vehicle battery system development such as charger development and testing, cord set testing and competitive benchmarking;
  • building prototype battery packs for vehicle development programs; and,
  • the ability to act as the hub for validation and testing of all battery systems designed for use in future GM vehicles around the world.

The lab will also play a critical role in assuring GM’s current generation of electric vehicles maintain their battery leadership position. Teams will validate and test updates to existing chemistries and system designs to make the most of performance and reduce cost. For example, updates were made to the battery system in 2013 Chevrolet Volt that added three miles of EV range.

GM Battery Lab Photo courtesy of GM

GM Battery Lab
Photo courtesy of GM

“GM is committed to vehicle electrification and our products in this area must continue to excite customers. A critical part of this plan is to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy storage systems,” said Larry Nitz, GM’s executive director of global electrification engineering. “The new capabilities of this lab will enhance our engineers’ ability to design, develop, process and validate class-leading products to meet the needs of our growing customer base.”
In addition to the lab in Michigan, GM also operates battery labs in Shanghai, China, and Mainz-Kastel, Germany, which are tasked with testing and validation of battery cells, packs, and advanced battery system development. Teams at the China, Germany and Michigan labs work collectively to test battery systems around the clock to reduce validation time.

Facts: Global Battery Systems Battery Lab

Alternative Energy Center, GM Technical Center, Warren, Mich.

History:

  • Lab completed: May 2009
  • Expansion completed: July 2013

Size:

Expansion total floor space: 50,000 sq.-ft.

Lab total floor space: 85,000 sq.-ft.

  • 16,500 sq. ft. – Pack testing, Support
  • 18,500 sq. ft. – Cell / Module testing, Vibration #1, Safety and Abuse #1, Support
  • 30,000 sq. ft. – Safety and Abuse #2, Manufacturing Support, Pack Build, Test, Storage
  • 20,000 sq. ft. – Software / Dev. Test, Vibration #2, Modal test, Software / Dev. Support

Benefits:

  • Increased pack testing
  • New cell and module testing
  • Additional capabilities
    • New Vibration testing area with added Modal testing capability
    • Charger testing
    • Immersion testing (pack seals)
    • Hardware in the Loop / Software in the Loop testing and development
    • Manufacturing Engineering area for support of assembly plants (equipment partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)

Enhanced capability

  • Welding of battery systems: Development of new ultrasonic and laser weld capabilities.
  • Battery system mock-up capabilities: Tooling to hand-build modules, sections and validate parts.
  • Prototype pack build area

About General Motors Co.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac,  Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

This article is a repost, credit: General Motors, http://www.gm.com.

Volt and LEAF Sales Records, Tesla Leads EV Sustainability Revolution

September 4, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, GM, LEAF, Model S, Nissan, Tesla, Volt

Now in its third model year, the highly innovative, industry leading Nissan LEAF pure electric vehicle features an extensive list of important enhancements for 2013. Importantly, LEAF is now assembled in the United States at Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn. assembly plant, with battery production taking place right next door in the country's largest lithium-ion automotive battery plant. Photo courtesy of Nissan

Now in its third model year, the highly innovative, industry leading Nissan LEAF pure electric vehicle features an extensive list of important enhancements for 2013. Importantly, LEAF is now assembled in the United States at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. assembly plant, with battery production taking place right next door in the country’s largest lithium-ion automotive battery plant.
Photo courtesy of Nissan

Volt (3,351) and LEAF (2,420) sales records for August.

The EV industry and enthusiasts have good reason to cheer heading into National Plug In Day, September 28-29.  America is tipping into electric cars and enjoying the ongoing fuel savings.  Around the country solar, wind, geothermal and ocean / tidal projects are replacing fossil fuel energies at power plants.  Sustainability is the road to success, and as more and more Americans hop on the EV bandwagon, the demand increases for sustainability.

US states that adopt aggressive sustainability plans will win.  States that have relied on fossil fuels such as Alaska will face hard times.  In this decade, Mexico could destabilize due to its reliance on oil exports, and India could destabilize due to its reliance on oil imports.  Sustainability planning should be priority number one on the city, state and national level.

"12 Model S are about to be a part of history, being among the first cars to cross the new #BayBridge." - Tesla tweet (Sept. 3 2013). Photo courtesy of Tesla

“12 Model S are about to be a part of history, being among the first cars to cross the new #BayBridge.” Tesla tweet (Sept. 3, 2013)
Photo courtesy of Tesla

Tesla tweeted today: “We’re driving in the fast lane, CA!  HOV program extended to 2019, so EVs can keep cruising past traffic.”  Tesla tweeted also (today): “Electricity gets cleaner each year as new energy technologies & renewable sources replace old.”

The leader of the EV sustainability show remains Tesla Motors with its Model S cars and Supercharger stations (Tesla stations).  Tesla is 100% focused on the electric vehicle revolution (bringing that revolution to the world).  The mainstream auto industry is mired in the fossil fuel era, and it is unlikely that all these companies will successfully transition to the new electric era.  Nissan and BYD are leading this transition.

Tesla stock (TSLA) closed at $170.62 per share, up 1% on the day.

Avatar of EV News

by EV News

2014 Chevrolet Volt Now Offers Even Greater Value

August 6, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, GM, Volt

Pricing for the 2014 model will start at $34,995

2014 Chevrolet Volt  Photo courtesy of GM

2014 Chevrolet Volt
Photo courtesy of GM

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Volt, already recognized for having the most satisfied owners will soon come with another people pleaser: a lower price. The 2014 model will start at $34,995, including an $810 destination fee (excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees).

If consumers include federal tax credits ranging from $0-$7,500 (depending on individual tax liability), pricing could start at $27,495. Individual tax situations differ, so consult a tax professional prior to claiming any credits to confirm eligibility for vehicle tax benefits.

“The lower price and cost savings from driving on electricity provide Volt owners an unmatched balance of technology, capability and cost of ownership,” said Don Johnson, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet sales and service. “The 2014 Volt will offer the same impressive list of features, but for $5,000 less.

“We have made great strides in reducing costs as we gain experience with electric vehicles and their components,” Johnson said. “In fact, the Volt has seen an increase in battery range and the addition of creature comforts, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and MyLink, since its launch in 2010.”

Volt owners who charge regularly typically drive 900 miles between fill-ups and visit the gas station about once a month. The 2014 Volt will continue to provide owners with impressive fuel economy of 98 MPGe (electric) and 35 city/40 highway on gasoline power without any need to change their daily driving habits while saving $900 in annual fuel costs. Today’s Volt owners have logged 364 million miles, including 225 million electric miles.

The Volt’s lower price also changes the comparative set of vehicles on popular auto information sites like kbb.com, Edmunds.com and cars.com, where visitors to these sites can search for a new vehicle by type and/or prices. The Volt’s lower price will broaden its exposure to price-sensitive prospective buyers using these sites to search for a plug-in electric vehicle or a gas-powered alternative sedan.

The Volt continues to be the best selling plug-in vehicle in America and is attracting new buyers to the Chevrolet brand. More than 70 percent of Volt buyers are new to General Motors. Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius is the most frequently traded-in vehicle for a Volt.

California continues to be Volt’s largest market. The 2014 Volt will continue to offer a low emissions package that earns the Volt a coveted “sticker” for single-occupancy HOV lane access in California and New York.

The Chevrolet Volt allows gas-free driving for an EPA-estimated 38 miles (61 km), depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. The range-extending engine gives the Volt up to 380 total miles (615 km) of total driving range. The 2014 Volt will start to be available in dealer showrooms late this summer.  Chevrolet will introduce two new colors – Ashen Gray Metallic and Brownstowne Metallic for the 2014 model year – and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

This article is a repost, credit: General Motors, http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.html.

Electric Car Sales (June), Tesla Best Positioned

July 2, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, LEAF, Tesla, Volt

Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn hosted an intimate gathering of media in Oslo, Europe's electric vehicle capital, and spoke about the new Nissan LEAF and his vision of zero-emissions mobility. Photo courtesy of Nissan

(4-8-13) Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn hosted an intimate gathering of media in Oslo, Europe’s electric vehicle capital, and spoke about the new Nissan LEAF and his vision of zero-emissions mobility.
Photo courtesy of Nissan

LEAF (2,225 units) and Volt (2,698 units) sales were good for the month of June.  We are certainly not at a tipping point for electric vehicle sales, judging by these numbers, but the EV community is growing bigger and bigger with each passing day.  We are starting to slant, not tip.

What would cause a tip?

Tesla’s stations are a crucial element for mass-market electric car adoption.  The company is building the foundation for long-term growth, and it has one more key product to launch the EV revolution, the generation III (mass-market electric car).  The stock market appears to agree with Tesla’s vision.  Tesla stock (TSLA) closed at $117.82 per share.

Nissan produces a quality electric car, the LEAF, at an affordable price, but the company’s charging strategy pales in comparison to Tesla.  Nissan’s great advantage is its global manufacturing facilities to produce the LEAF.  However, Nissan needs to move well beyond manufacturing electric cars.  Tesla’s advance into Europe with its Model S cars and stations may push Nissan CEO Ghosn to be more aggressive with a competing strategy.

Obviously, GM CEO Dan Akerson has an answer with the Volt’s extended range tank, but this tank is something that the world wishes to leave behind.  Since the long-term direction is all-electrics, it would be great to have an all-electric Volt on the market.  It is always best to be in a position to build for the long-term.  The Volt is a good looking car and a solid brand, but it is holding on to yesterday.

The world is building a sustainable model: EVs, clean electric power, and battery storage.  Tesla is building in that direction.  BYD is building in that direction.  Tesla CEO Musk and BYD CEO Wang are looking at the world’s energy problems and devising long-term sustainable solutions.  World leaders are looking for long-term sustainable solutions, not just an electric car.

About EV News Report

EV News Report is a news and information service on electric car news with a focus on the campaigns, events and star leaders shaping the electric car revolution.

Electric vehicles are driving the change to a clean green sustainable future for the United States and the world. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other EV stars have launched a revolution. At EV News Report, you will see daily updates on the happenings of the industry, including Tesla news, LEAF news, and all the leading EV industry players.

Plug-in to the electric car revolution by creating a free account with EV News Report and join the forums to discuss your ideas with other EV enthusiasts. We’re just getting the electric motor started. Let’s change the world…

Avatar of EV News

by EV News

EPRI Study Shows that Lifetime Cost of Ownership of Electric Vehicles is Comparable with Conventional Vehicles

June 22, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, LEAF, Research, Volt

2013 Nissan LEAF Photo courtesy of Nissan

2013 Nissan LEAF
Photo courtesy of Nissan

PALO ALTO, Calif. – (June 11, 2013) – Consumers who purchase an electric vehicle will find that costs to own the vehicle are competitive with conventional and hybrid vehicles, according to an analysis conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The study is based on pricing for the automotive products for the 2013 model year.

The EPRI study compares the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF with gasoline-fueled cars that reflect average costs for different makes and models. Nissan lowered the price of the LEAF by about $6,000 in January. It looks at several factors, including gasoline and power prices, incentives, financing, driving patterns and maintenance.

The cost advantage of PEVs increases as gasoline costs rise and decrease as they fall. PEVs can still be competitive with lower gasoline costs, but payback will take a longer period. If a buyer finances a vehicle purchase, total monthly expenditures for all options will be within 15 percent of the conventional vehicle purchase, so buyers can reasonably make a purchase decision based on their personal preferences.

According to the report, lifetime costs for the Nissan LEAF are lower than that of the comparison vehicles. However, the variation in costs is much higher for the LEAF than for the Volt – up to 30 percent of total costs. This variation means that while most drivers will benefit significantly from the LEAF. Potential buyers need to consider whether their driving needs are suited to the characteristics of a battery electric vehicle.

The study assesses both cash and financed purchases for electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles. The monthly outlay during the loan period is a key indicator of affordability and may obscure the overall cost-competitiveness of vehicles for the life of the vehicle or the entire time of ownership.

2013 Chevy Volt Photo courtesy of GM

2013 Chevy Volt
Photo courtesy of GM

The report also finds that lifetime costs for the Volt are close to the comparison conventional vehicle and comparison hybrid, indicating that increased up-front costs are offset by fuel savings. The variation in costs is relatively low between the best-matched and worst-matched, at about 5 percent. This makes the Volt a low-risk cost option for buyers interested in a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV).

“Our analysis indicates that capital costs and operating costs are reasonably well balanced at the current time for most vehicle comparisons,” said Mark Duvall, Director of Electric Transportation research at EPRI.

“Changes in the price of gasoline will affect this balance and will cause significant changes in payback time. Favorable state incentives or equivalent changes in capital costs for vehicles will have a larger impact than fuel prices, and will significantly improve payback time, total ownership cost, and monthly expenditure,” he added.

The EPRI analysis focused on the LEAF and Volt, because these plug-in vehicles have been on the market the longest, have generated the greatest sales volume and provide data on real-world performance.

The EPRI report, Total Cost of Ownership for Current Plug-in Electric Vehicles (EPRI 3002001728) can be downloaded at this link: http://www.epri.com/abstracts/Pages/ProductAbstract.aspx?ProductId=000000003002001728.

About EPRI

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI’s members represent approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to more than 30 countries. EPRI’s principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

This article is a repost, credit: Electric Power Research Institute, http://www.epri.com/Pages/Default.aspx.