You have to understand that California is used as a "warming pool" by the EPA for developing and piloting emissions standards. They're not just a bunch of whackos making their own rules. Most changes that start in California are usually made law across the rest of the country after a few years to verify that there are no major stumbling blocks with the more stringent regulations.

 

It would have to be +/- 10% of its competition. Prius and Civic hybrid both start in the low $20k's.

I think it's a very cool car - one that I could see myself owning depending on the production execution. The one caveat has already been pointed out ~ that is all this is hinged upon battery development. I read somewhere that at current prices, the battery needed to make the 40 mile electric only claim costs 10-grand. They (GM) want that cost to fall to about $2,000 for a production version.

 

Sorry but the Volt isn't a normal hybrid like the Civic or Prius. It only uses its ICE engine to power the electric motor. The electric motor is the only thing that powers the car. Keep in mind the ICE engine is a 1.0 L turbocharged 3 cylinder.

The second Volt powertrain uses the same electical components but uses a Fuel Cell to provide electricity.

Volt is leagues more advanced than the current Prius or Civic. The next generation Prius or Civic may be different and use this type of system but not right now.

 

Doesn't matter. To sell it needs to be at that price point to sell because that is the percived competetion.

 

Seriously if something is a whole different class of vehicle does it need to be sold on the level of its nearest percieved competition? The closest thing in production would be the Tesla Roadster. The current Prius and NG Prius won't be pulling out the kind of mileage that a Volt w/ the concept powertrain would. So why would it need to be the same price?

If you have a better product and that is easy for the customer to see things CAN be priced higher, this is why a BMW 5 series is more than a Dodge Charger.

 

Translation: Americans wont get this. We'll offer it everywhere but where we really should. We have cucumbers for brains.

 

So basically you're telling me the Volt is an all-electric car that takes gasoline to run.

 

It's an all-electric car that uses a commonly available energy source (gasoline) to extend it's range beyond 40 miles. And the ICE is optimized for efficient energy consumption since it doesn't have to produce power from 500 rpm to 6,000 rpm; it's either on or off.

 

Where are you getting that?

America might not get the fuel cell version but the Volt will most definitely be offered here.

 

Actually when I had the chance to speak with Mr. Burns at the intro of the Hydrogen Volt here in Detroit I was told that the Chevy Volt would come in at costs comparable to a vehicle with an ICE.

You guys think the ICE variant of E-Flex is the favorite...the feeling I got and wrote at ChevyVoltForum.com is that the hydrogen version looks more promising.

Both are being developed as I wrote previously...but in my opinion, and ONLY MY OPINION the hydrogen Volt looks to be the favorite.

Now, all we need is that infrastructure.

 

no, it's an all electric car that uses a generator to create the electricity for the electric motors and help recharge it's batteries.. that generator is completely separate from the powertrain and can be one of many different types of engines... gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen, etc...

 

Super.

I stand by my previous statement.

 

Im going to agree with you here. For it to be successfull it needs to be priced around the civic hybrid and the Prius. It is on the delta platform. So I dont see why they shouldnt be able to price that that low.

 

If GM only decides to build one version, and that version is the hydrogen version, GM is dumb.

Dumb, Dumb, DUMB.

The infrastructure for hydrogen is not there as you mentioned, and won't be for a LONG time. This makes the Volt's volume miniscule. Actually it makes it a cute, boutique-like vehicle.

GM needs the Volt to be a game-changer. A perception-changer. The Volt with the ICE is a technology that everyone can use NOW. It would be widely available NOW and give the desperately needed perception NOW.

Do you know what a car that runs off hydrogen and electricity only tells the public? Yeah, GM can do some cool, one-off tech stuff but they still aren't really serious about building an efficient car that I can easily own and operate, like my Prius. And who's going to be able to argue with them?

 

I didn't say it would be the only one, or even suggest such. All I said is that it is my opinion that the hydrogen Volt seems like a favorite. Or, like it could be the most feasible today.

A lot of people at Volt Forum think GM should get behind the development of a battery with a smaller range then build their way up. Instead of a full 40 mile range on the battery, why not 10 or 20?

Take things from there. People want this car now.