GM Awards 2 Contracts For Volt Battery Development

General Motors Corp. has awarded two contracts to companies that will help speed up development of its plug-in electric car called the Chevrolet Volt, GM Chairman Rick Wagoner said Tuesday.

"Given the huge potential that the Volt and its E-flex system offers to lower oil consumption, lower oil imports and reduce carbon gas emissions, this is for sure a top priority program for GM," said Wagoner, who added that the company is trying to produce the Volt as soon as it can. No production timetable has been announced..

http://www.chevyvoltforum.com/index.php?showtopic=75

This car is starting to have me more excited than the next generation Solstice. Once the Solstice is paid off the Volt may very well be my next new car purchase. Unless I can get a Pontiac with a hybrid power train that delivers nearly the same efficiency.

Its nice to see that they are trying to get off to an aggressive start with the development of this car.

The thing is this car needs to be pushed like the Camaro is right now. Its still 2+ years away but keeping it freshi n the minds of people. It will blow the Prius POS away in every aspect.

GM you need to get this car out last year. No lag in time. It has to be a 2 year car.

But is it possible??

Happy to see this car getting the push, GM cannot screw this up.

I hope it is the push like the Camaro is. They got the go now go green.
ohh wait thats already a commercial??

Imagine the Volt and the Camaro side by side at dealers?

GM needs this car out AS SOON AS the battery technology hits.

I agree it needs to come sooner than later, for image as much as anything else, but will the aggressive styling remain?

I agree it needs to come sooner than later, for image as much as anything else, but will the aggressive styling remain?

I hope so. Would be nice to see a "green" car thats got style vs all the hybrid family cars and weird looking ones (Insight and Prius)

Watch gas prices crash... :lol:

Bummer. I was hoping GM would be talking to Tesla Engery Group.

http://new.marketwire.com/2.0/rel.jsp?id=733892

Bummer. I was hoping GM would be talking to Tesla Engery Group.


Telsa's solution is one that's, uh, interesting for a low-volume application. When it's time to actually produce a high-volume mass-production vehicle, simply tying together a bunch of small cells ain't gonna cut it.

Looks like some earlier posters in this thread need to understand the difference between "development contract" and "production contract". Furthermore, a realistic understanding of lead times would be of benefit. I'd love to see this thing in production ASAP, but even well-known powertrain technologies take a long time to bring from concept to production.

They've got a big hill in front of them. They'll need to start with "Free Tibet.":D

When it's time to actually produce a high-volume mass-production vehicle, simply tying together a bunch of small cells ain't gonna cut it. Isn't that essentially what Toyota and Honda's packs are? C or D-size NiMH strung together? Obviously, Volt requires a significant scale-up of this, but the concept's been done.

The Volt is making a bunch of noise now and will continue to do so. I have some news on the LG company that GM gave the Volt contract to (as well as the other).

Plus.....Cobasys is not out of the running for battery tech for General Motors. However, GM has made a HUGE step forward in producing the Chevrolet Volt and everything I've seen, been told and have read is that the Volt will be made and we shouldn't expect it before 2010.

Anyone seen the documentary "Who killed the electric car?" from '05? The EV-1 that GM leased in Cal. from '96 to about '01 seemed to show that they already could make a practical battery powered car. But then it seemed that GM went out of their way to kill it. They bought controlling interest in the co. that made the batteries they used, then sold it to Exxon! Talk about throwing them to the sharks! They also sued Cal. to get them to repeal the law that forced GM to make the car in the 1st place! They also refused to sell the cars to the people who wanted to keep them when their lease was up. In fact it looked like GM couldn't haul them off to the crusher fast enough! In short, if a vehicle like the Volt makes it to production at all in say, the next 10 years, it will surprise the hell out of me! I think the concept was just a publicity gimmick so GM could show everyone that they could be just as green as Honda & Toyota. But without any real intention of producing it.

Anyone seen the documentary "Who killed the electric car?" from '05? The EV-1 that GM leased in Cal. from '96 to about '01 seemed to show that they already could make a practical battery powered car. But then it seemed that GM went out of their way to kill it. They bought controlling interest in the co. that made the batteries they used, then sold it to Exxon! Talk about throwing them to the sharks! They also sued Cal. to get them to repeal the law that forced GM to make the car in the 1st place! They also refused to sell the cars to the people who wanted to keep them when their lease was up. In fact it looked like GM couldn't haul them off to the crusher fast enough! In short, if a vehicle like the Volt makes it to production at all in say, the next 10 years, it will surprise the hell out of me! I think the concept was just a publicity gimmick so GM could show everyone that they could be just as green as Honda & Toyota. But without any real intention of producing it.

Let me guess, you're not much of an optimist?

sometime after 2010...

I know I know its all about the industry. But is it to late to the party??

How many Prius' will be bought by then. The only way this can be any good in waiting is if they attack the wait like they are doing with Camaro.


Hell it just sucks that such a car generating that kinda press is going to take so long to get made. and again I know I know.

They also sued Cal. to get them to repeal the law that forced GM to make the car in the 1st place!

GM was part of a coalition of almost every major automaker that tried to get that law repealed. IIRC, GM announced production of the EV1 before that law was enacted, and probably did more than any other automaker to try to meet it.

They also refused to sell the cars to the people who wanted to keep them when their lease was up. In fact it looked like GM couldn't haul them off to the crusher fast enough!

If GM had sold them to the public they'd have to be responsible for supporting them in the aftermarket. Remember that EV1 was a very highly specialized vehicle, not your run of the mill Chevrolet. With such a small number of cars, and with technology moving so fast, it would have cost GM a fortune to support them. The other alternative, selling the cars but refusing to sell spare parts for them, was clearly less acceptable.

Anyone seen the documentary "Who killed the electric car?" from '05?

I have never seen the film, but I have heard that Electric Car is no more a documentary than Farenheit 911 or Inconvenient Truth. It's really just one person's (or a group of people's) slanted spin on what really happened.

sometime after 2010...

I know I know its all about the industry. But is it to late to the party??

How many Prius' will be bought by then. The only way this can be any good in waiting is if they attack the wait like they are doing with Camaro.


Hell it just sucks that such a car generating that kinda press is going to take so long to get made. and again I know I know.Sometime after 2010 for the full electric Volt, but I read a story this morning that suggested GM will have hybrids as soon as next year.

Sometime after 2010 for the full electric Volt, but I read a story this morning that suggested GM will have hybrids as soon as next year.


Now I was going to ask that but was wondering the Volt's name was for its total electric drive. But I can see a hybrid car. But as soon as next year?? as in 2009 model?
Is it that far along ? what platform? Sky/solstice platform?? Or what?

It's next gen Delta and we'll have to wait until at least 2010.

Well, let me be the first to say GM blew it on this one. Big time.

I was quietly following the car for a while and thought it was amazing enough to keep tabs on. I was hoping some way somehow they could figure it into a design already on the road. But I guess that's not the case.

Now like I said before yes I know the red tape and hurdle's that has to jumped to get a car to market. But the idea this car brings is that it is the direct opposite of what the WONDERFULLY popular and ugly as sin Prius is. This car is good looking and is just as good and or better in the hybrid/alt department.
Now the sad thing is the Prius is a car that is selling boatloads of. Why?? How do I know the cars ugly. I really don't know who thinks its cute?? Its not its the people thinking they are helping the environment buying being seen and owning this car. Is it? time will tell But the splash that the Volt made was a direct shot in the midsection to that pedestal the Prius was built on. It made a huge statement that this car will not only look better but also beat the Prius in every aspect it is known for now, AND its a Chevy. Now you give Toyota 2 years to make a competitor to the Volt. A chance to change it to compete with the styling of the Volt and everything about the cool factor of the Volt will be gone. 2 years to Toyota is an eternity and as long as they keep pumping out that green machine raking in the customers and the $$$ to throw at a Volt when it comes to market 4-5 years TO LATE! Not to mention the other car companies also have their hands in on this in two years. It will be nothing important at that time.
Good job....

Yea I am complaining and yes I do not know the whole scoop but come on why does GM have to follow trends. Why can they not set them? Worked for the #1 car maker for the last few years. The Volt should have been ready to go as a hybrid at least after making it a go. in less than two years the Volt will be out on this platform. Ok, now we got time to get the Volt to where we want it. Its out there in the market. Soaking up sales getting people in the Chevy and when the full green Volt comes along..they go to that. Well, try getting a loyal prius buyer to jump ship. Not going to happen.

Sorry for the rant just sick of the excuse of "GM's a big company" Yea so what? So is every other car company out there. Put the products in the pipeline. get them to market as they planned and see what happens. The 2 year plan set forth and yet to be executed by the Solstice is what I am talking about. Not a maybe 2010. Its a YES 2010 we have a fully electric Volt on the lots. Cut the crap get the confidence back in what an America car company can do.

Rant mode off:

I hate to say it because I'd love for GM to be ahead of the curve on the electric car, but I'm just not sure they can swing it now. I'm not a big finance guy, but with GMs bond ratings being so low I'll assume it's not the easiest or smartest idea to be borrowing all kinds of money right now.

We're (US) getting a G8, Camaro, Malibu, Astra, and CTS within about a year and a half. Lets hope they're all winners because if they are then that Volt might come quicker than we expect!

Whatever famous person said this...I'm quoting them.

"The Chevrolet Volt WILL make history...READ MY LIPS."

The Prius will not run with Li-Ion batteries.

Bob Lutz has personally said he is going to stick around until this car comes out. He's what, 73? That leaves us with 7 years before he's 80. It WILL be out before he is 80.

Delta II must be developed and the battery tech has GOT to be there. Here's a hint.....GM is pouring MILLIONS of dollars into battery tech and alternative fuels. They know that they MUST produce the Chevrolet Volt.

If they fail to......it's over. The Volt will be made. Don't fret. It might not be here tomorrow and that's because it can't be here tomorrow. It will be here the day after next though.

Whatever famous person said this...I'm quoting them.

"The Chevrolet Volt WILL make history...READ MY LIPS."

The Prius will not run with Li-Ion batteries.

Bob Lutz has personally said he is going to stick around until this car comes out. He's what, 73? That leaves us with 7 years before he's 80. It WILL be out before he is 80.

Delta II must be developed and the battery tech has GOT to be there. Here's a hint.....GM is pouring MILLIONS of dollars into battery tech and alternative fuels. They know that they MUST produce the Chevrolet Volt.

If they fail to......it's over. The Volt will be made. Don't fret. It might not be here tomorrow and that's because it can't be here tomorrow. It will be here the day after next though.

Josh,

Sorry for the that rant Man its not directed at you but your response is exactly why I am afraid of the way things are being done, not with just the volt mind you but the whole operation going on bringing cars to market.
Will it make history. Sure it will. I will back you up on that one. But the Prius IS making history right now since there is no competition that has that much influence. It is building a reputation. It will not need Li-Ion batteries. Why? It is a Prius and that name and recognition alone is going to keep it ahead of anything a later arriving Volt could have done.
And the next thing about Lutz sticking around till it comes out. 7 years possibly? till he is 80? That is not good. how long has the Prius been out? So Toyota has a 10 year jump on GM to market a car like mentioned above that has the rep of being the tried and true green car that everyone has bought for the last decade. (even if the Volt is better) And more than likely will have a sheetmetal change in that time and sell more. That is what I am afraid of Josh.
The last thing you said yes GM is pouring millions into the development. That is a plus right there. Maybe that is the problem too. Bringing the Volt as an electric car and not a hybrid first. Bad move? Showcasing what they do not have since it has not been developed? Maybe I am flipping out cus I wanted this car here like you said tomorrow. But I know no matter how hard they try it would never be. I know this and that's what's getting me hot under the collar that the 7+ years on the market the competition might have over a car that might be a little to late to make the impact the media is making on cars like this that are out now. Or they took the Volt and ran with it to much?


Personal thought and my take on the development. The car should have been a hybrid on the next style change on some existing platform, integrated into that run. Now you have the Volt out on the streets around 2010. It is making a name. It has clout as a sporty hybrid give the eye in GM's direction to watch for this car. The car has 7 years to run on that platform. The Delta platform makes it debut. The car gets a refresh and the new engine. A smarter better cleaner Volt comes out. Volt buyers flock to the new car. It has a reputation and it just got better. But that's my take. The bridge this car has to cross to make it to the streets is way to much. Maybe it was to soon but its not going to be here in time to make the impact GM needs to make it a hit. I don't know all the logistics in this but the meat of it is there and that's what I am afraid is happening. I hope you understand where I am coming from. I just do not want to see this fail. Like many said GM needs this car.

This thread is interesting - we've got people that think GM blew it, people that think GM is going to blow it, and people that think GM is trying to fool the buying public - and they're all right.......they think.

Folks, maybe this is really simple for GM: CAFE

If the Volt gets an EPA estimate of 100 mpg, then they have to sell enough of them to drive up their corporate average mpg. Why do you think GM is proposing to delay an increase of CAFE standards? Maybe they want CAFE to go up when they can sell 100,00 Volts per year - what would that do to their average? Is it possible that the Volt would get such good mileage per EPA that CAFE increases would become irrelevant?

Everyone here is discussing this like the future will be the same as the past - but it won't be. GM and the rest of the automotive industry is on the verge of a technology revolution - all based on powering cars. The old paradigm was one power plant with variations - internal combustion. The new paradigm is multiple power plants for various customers - Fuel cell, internal combustion, hybrid. That new paradigm comes with a new business model - it has to.

Yet everyone (and not just some folks on this board) is so quick to think that GM is blundering their way through it. What if GM learned some big lessons with EV1 that are the keys to a fully electric vehicle? What if those lessons are the cornerstone of GM's current strategy? If I'd built a car that I could no longer sell with advanced technology like that, I'd scrap them too - because I don't want someone learning what I learned from them.

I guess my point is, GM isn't just sitting around making plans - there are people there who are really thinking about the best ways to save the company. Give them a chance to prove it.

Now I was going to ask that but was wondering the Volt's name was for its total electric drive. But I can see a hybrid car. But as soon as next year?? as in 2009 model?
Is it that far along ? what platform? Sky/solstice platform?? Or what?There's already a hybrid version of the Saturn Aura. Doesn't the 2008 Malibu share the same platform?

There's already a hybrid version of the Saturn Aura. Doesn't the 2008 Malibu share the same platform?

Yes, and there will be 2008 Malibu hybrid with the same mild hybrid system.

This thread is interesting - we've got people that think GM blew it, people that think GM is going to blow it, and people that think GM is trying to fool the buying public - and they're all right.......they think.

Folks, maybe this is really simple for GM: CAFE

If the Volt gets an EPA estimate of 100 mpg, then they have to sell enough of them to drive up their corporate average mpg. Why do you think GM is proposing to delay an increase of CAFE standards? Maybe they want CAFE to go up when they can sell 100,00 Volts per year - what would that do to their average? Is it possible that the Volt would get such good mileage per EPA that CAFE increases would become irrelevant?

Everyone here is discussing this like the future will be the same as the past - but it won't be. GM and the rest of the automotive industry is on the verge of a technology revolution - all based on powering cars. The old paradigm was one power plant with variations - internal combustion. The new paradigm is multiple power plants for various customers - Fuel cell, internal combustion, hybrid. That new paradigm comes with a new business model - it has to.

Yet everyone (and not just some folks on this board) is so quick to think that GM is blundering their way through it. What if GM learned some big lessons with EV1 that are the keys to a fully electric vehicle? What if those lessons are the cornerstone of GM's current strategy? If I'd built a car that I could no longer sell with advanced technology like that, I'd scrap them too - because I don't want someone learning what I learned from them.

I guess my point is, GM isn't just sitting around making plans - there are people there who are really thinking about the best ways to save the company. Give them a chance to prove it.

No way Shellhead, yea I am thinking outloud and sure I dont know all the facts, yea your right.. Its the big thing they cannot stop TIME. possibly 7 years till one volt hits the showroom??? are you kidding me?? Now one thread today said the batteries will be ready maybe in 2008 for maybee a 2010 Volt. If thats the case then thats great. But the waiting game on the car is not the luxury that GM has. And no I dont think they are blundering along. I just think they have to many stacks of paper to get an easy note to the front office on what to say go and what to say no. Sure there could of been some magic in the old EV-1 they found the key. good for them. How long ago was it crushed? How long ago did Toyota introduce the Prius? How long before GM can get this car here??
GM needs more than a hit on paper and concept. they need street cred. I think this is what your missing and what I am pointing out. The Prius is building this every year there is no Volt. And you know what the Prius is gods gift to the tree in many peoples minds yet it is not. But the image it is creating is building faster than the time GM has to counter that.
Will the Volt be amazing? Sure it will
Will the Volt be revolutionary? Sure it will
Will it be better than the Prius? Sure it will
Will it make it here on time to make a difference? That is the question GM has no time to ask.

That is what I "think" ;)