GM: Tests prove Volt superior to plug-in Prius?
Ready to leave the Prius in the dust?"An Extended-Range Electric Vehicle such as the Volt can reduce real-world fuel consumption compared to a comparable 40-mile all-electric range (urban cycle) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by more than 50%, according to a set of simulations run by GM using the operational data from 621 drivers captured in the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Travel Survey (RTS)," states the Green Car Congress.
Today, you cannot buy either a Chevy Volt, or a plug-in Toyota Prius. Three years from now, if some of these plug-in hybrids are finally made available for sale, either one or both vehicles might be too expensive for most consumers. Or, perhaps the Volt will be able to use more electricity, but cost $7,000 more than a 120 mpg, but less electric Prius. Which will consumers choose?
While I don't mind technological updates on Volt or Prius plug-in progress, such studies comparing hypothetical cars using invalidated technology, minus real world economics, seems largely a waste of time.
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, plug-in hybrid vehicles, prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
2:42 PM
10 Comments:
This is a typical tactic from a desperate company that has nothing to offer other than bullcrap and lies.
The more we talk about these things, the more obvious it becomes as to how useless GM's products really are.
Ultimately, even if the Volt is a technological success, the cost of that technology is hugely important.
And maybe I'd be a little more forgiving if this data were based on actual road tests, but last I heard, GM won't have a fully functional Volt mule until around Summer. Who knows what kinds of realizations will occur then that make such lab tests irrelevant because the technology had to change once rubber hit the road.
Again, I think GM will succeed with the Volt, but will the Volt be cost-effective enough to help GM's bottom line? That's the real question and this study cannot ever answer that question.
Read my lips. GM will produce the Volt and it will be a smash hit, and you GM haters can take that to the bank!!
More walk, less talk. Closing argument from the Volt team please, then we'll wait until 2011 for the verdict.
The key is to have the right product at the right time at the right price.
I think Volt will be successful if it comes out on 2020 instead of 2010.
Plug-in Prius would be successful if it comes out on 2010 due to the realistic usage of Li-ion technology.
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GM FOREVER:
Hmmmmm...so let's see...you want us to believe your thoughts on a company that has consistently made crap...and has hardly ever, if at all (I'm seriously challenged in remembering) come through with anything it's proposed as innovative and new.
Read my lips...you're going to get your asses kicked by the Japanese...well, actually you are now.
I will grant you this however. Given the utter stupidity of the American public in general, GM may...JUST MAY be able to pull of a stunning PR campaign and keep the brainwashing going.
I mean..look at their new commercials regarding the Tahoe Hybrid...kids, a nice guy talking, flowers and trees in the background. You'd think they've been in the environmentally conscientious business for decades.
There are enough suckers living here that will definitely allow (unfortunately) GM to continue its rather pointless existence.
Dennis-
GM did kind of hedge their bet nicely around that possibility with the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid.
What I find interesting is that the Vue hybrid is not just a technological hedge, its also a price hedge. GM knows full well that the Volt will cost more than a dual mode plug-in hybrid - a good bit more. GM expressed that sentiment to me, but without any serious pricing details.
When you consider that GM survives in the US on SUV and truck mark-ups, which can be several thousand dollars, they'd probably have to sell the Volt for - and I'm just guessing - $50,000 or more to really justify materials, research and development, a new production line, and make enough profit.
Otherwise, at even $40,000, without huge tax incentives, it would still take years for GM to make any money off the Volt - although losing money on the Volt might bring more consumers to GM.
Still, GM is facing some scary economics.
Does anyone know where I can find an up-to-date schedule on the promised launch dates for the Plug-in Hybrids. I know that there are promises from Fisker automotive, conversion specialists (Hymotion), and the big automakers.
I have an '08 Prius.
I like the design of the Volt very much.
If GM would manufacture this design and top out at 30k, I would probably purchase one and let GM shoot me in the foot again.
If GM executives would not rob the company's profits etc., they could easily produce this Volt and get on with the program. The big reason I now drive a 'Japanese' product instead of GM is that the GM dealerships rob the customer over and over again.
You just cannot put much faith in them to stand behind what they say.
The other reason is: My wife says no to GM!
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