Discussions

The Chevrolet Volt, scheduled for release for the 2010 model year, in certain EPA tests has achieved OVER 100 mpg! It's making such a controversy that now GM is ticked off with the EPA! Basically the EPA is saying, "Well this can't be right!" and questioning their own testing procedures and ratings! The EPA is considering revising it's testing procedures JUST to make the numbers that come out of the volt more believable! The big problem is that we are in a time where "Mpg" may not be the best way to classify fuel economy, because some current fuels can not be even measured in gallons?!?! We need a "Cost per mile" or convert all energy measurements WRT vehicles to Joules, or Kilowatts for example which would show which vehicles are cheaper to operate, or which vehicles use less energy.  
 
The Volt seems to be a whole new vehicle that has no real definition of what it is. It's NOT a gas powered car, and it's NOT a Hybrid either!  
 
Based on the current terminology and classifications, this car IS an electric vehicle. Why? based on the current definitions surrounding gas powered and hybrid cars IMHO, "The energy source connected to the vehicles drive train dictates the type of vehicle it is."  
 
Example...  
 
Vehicles with only an internal combustion engine are "Gas" or "Fuel" powered.  
 
Vehicles that have an internal combustion engine AND a second source of energy DIRECTLY CONNECTED to the vehicles drive train are hybrids.  
 
What's a Volt? It's an electric! The only system connected to the vehicles drive train is the ELECTRIC MOTOR.  
 
So how is it even rated with a mpg rating that must imply it's burning fuel? Well, it does have a fuel powered generator that charges the batteries on longer trips, but again, this gas powered generator is not connected to the drive train in anyway. Again, without more specific vehicle definitions of what gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles, this car must be considered an electric vehicle.  
 
This car WRT energy has something for everyone. Let's look at the extremes for a moment.  
 
If the primary function for your car is to commute less than 65 kilometers per day, you people can potentially get INFINIFY mpg! Yes, you will never burn another drop of gasoline ever again! Just plug in your Volt every night before you go to bed. environmental green people, here is the car you've been waiting for!  
 
Now let's look at the absolute WORSE case scenario...  
 
If you NEVER plug in your Volt and only use it's on-board fuel generator to charge your Volt, the absolute WORSE you will ever see is about 48 mpg! You have to admit that's pretty impressive for a worse case scenario!  
 
Now here's the even more interesting part about what General Motors is doing to protect YOU the consumer against high gasoline prices, but first a little history lesson.  
 
Have your ever heard of the "Saturn EV-1"? If not, Google it! I have to wonder when the first production electric vehicles were first created if "Big Oil" stepped in and basically said to car manufacturers, "Drop this electric vehicle line, we'll look after you for years to come with our gasoline" Or at least something like that. Who knows, there may have even been cash involved as electric cars, like the Saturn EV-1 disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared. Why?  
 
Now, how does the Chevy Volt help protect YOU the consumer against fuel prices? GM has basically created a car that to you the consumer can be 100% electric, OR 100% gasoline?!?! What this does is it now FORCES the "Big Oil" companies to COMPETE in the Electricity market and vice versa! More competition usually equals better prices for consumers.  
 
So, if gas just happens to be $1.50 per liter, you can immediately say, "Pffft! Screw you Big Oil" I'm plugging in my Volt now until the price comes back down!"  
 
Honestly OPEC said all summer, "We can't do anything about the climbing price of oil." But now they are fighting tooth and nail to stop it from plummeting? How asinine is that?!?!?! I can almost guarantee that IF OPEC even SURVIVES as an organization when this is all over, I would hope they have learned a valuable lesson in greed and will treat the global market differently based on the roller coaster ride they are on right now! "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." I believe that statement to be true not only for science, but for everything on this planet, and life in general!  
 
The Chevy Volt IMHO is the BEST stepping stone into the future WRT transitioning to a new energy source on the market right now. It may be the technology to carry us into the future, it may BE the technology of the future. I guess we'll have to wait and see.  
 
The "Big 3" in general right now, CAN place some of the blame on "Big Oil" for the predicaments they in IMHO. Vehicles like the Chevy Volt and future alternative energy vehicles will give "Big Oil" companies the punch in the face they deserve!  
 
While the "Big 3" can not lay all the blame on "Big Oil" they are doing what they can to survive. GM for example, Tiger Woods agreement? Gone! Hummer? FOR SALE! Private Jets? FOR SALE! Just to name a few! GM is trying to do whatever it can to stay afloat, and more importantly, protect it's workers jobs, and stop a recession from turning into a depression! With the new American President, and American pride being it's highest in many years, the possibility of another "Great Depression" staring them in the face. Do you honestly believe the "Big 3" will not get their government loans to ensure the survival of the American car industry? One of the largest building blocks in the American economy! The "Big 3" will get their loans I predict. In addition to the extensive restructuring that has already begun, IMHO the "Big 3" will GIVE BACK a "Big 3" important to many people...  
 
1). Economy - Prevent recession from turning into depression.  
 
2.) Alternative Energy - Further force the development of alternative energy sources and reducing the dependence on "Big Oil".  
 
3.) Environment - Continuously reducing fuel consumption for a cleaner, greener planet.  
 
And all 3 affect YOU!  
 
The Chevrolet Volt - The vehicle that will re-launch General Motors and change the world we live in.  
 
Welcome to the future, and the car that will drive you there!  
 
Krunch