Update: Progress on the GM Volt

August/September 2007
By Todd Kaho 
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General Motors’ Volt concept car isn’t just a dream machine anymore. (See “The Volt: An Electric Car That Could Change Everything,” June/July 2007.) Insiders indicate the 150-mpg electric car now is a “formal product program.” In other words, GM is figuring out how to actually build it. More evidence for this is GM’s recent decision to award two battery development contracts. Improvement of battery technology is the main hurdle to address before the Volt makes it to market. But the Volt and its E-Flex system have literally energized GM, especially its engineers, according to Gary Smyth, director of powertrain systems, and Nick Zielinski, chief vehicle engineer for the Volt program. While there still are major technical obstacles to conquer, the Volt is moving forward with support from the highest levels of GM on down.

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  • Oil 11/6/2007 3:14:15 PM

    The Chevy Volt has the potential to greatly reduce our use of oil.
    It is in our best interest to make oil nearly obsolete. I have
    delcared Jihad against oil, and urge others to join me.
    www.oiljihad.org - Death to oil!

  • kent 7/21/2007 12:16:21 PM

    If you want the latest info on the developmental progress of the
    VOLT, don't come here - go to www.gm-volt.com, a non-official
    website that has tons of info, up to the minute. "improvement of
    battery technology is the main hurdle" is an obsolete statement at
    this point. Both A123 Systems and LG have batteries that meet GM
    specs (15 year lifespan, cost reqs, power reqs, etc). What hasn't
    been demoed (or prehaps even constryucted) are the rather
    straightforward battery management schemes used to operate the
    cells as an integrated pack. That is pretty straightforward
    engineering and both battery companies have expressed themselves as
    "very confident" that this will not be an issue. The VOLT seems to
    be ahead of schedule and there is speculation that the battery
    costs will be lower than expected. As for GM "figuring out" the
    design, that's absurd - the vehicle follows so closely their fuel
    cell vehicle design that many of the parts from that car are
    showing up in the VOLT without any change. The entire ball of wax
    for this vehicle is to obtain what the EV-1 desperately needed - an
    economical battery and an extended driving range.

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