Chevy Volt Fuel Economy in Question
Volt fuel economy with the AC on?How is the EPA going to assess the fuel economy of the Chevy Volt? That's a good question, as the EPA doesn't have a methodology yet for plug-in hybrid vehicles. When they do, will it be accurate?
According to GM, the Chevy Volt will achieve 40 miles of electric power before using gasoline to generate new electricity to power the Volt. But, what happens if you drive fast? Accelerate fast? What if you are a heavy AC user?
Finish: Chevy Volt fuel economy in question
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, GM, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
3:44 AM
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FULL STORY
How is the EPA going to assess the fuel economy of the Chevy Volt? That's a good question, as the EPA doesn't have a methodology yet for plug-in hybrid vehicles. When they do, will it be accurate?
According to GM, the Chevy Volt will achieve 40 miles of electric power before using gasoline to generate new electricity to power the Volt. But, what happens if you drive fast? Accelerate fast? What if you are a heavy AC user?
Aymeric Rousseau, who analyses such problems at Argonne National Laboratory, a government-funded research center, told a conference on lithium battery technology that fast accelerations and speeding could significantly reduce Volt fuel economy, especially in terms of electric range, down to 28 - 32 miles of electric power. Add AC and that fuel economy might drop down to even 15 or 20 miles of electric power.
Is he right?
These are some questions that, hopefully, GM will address today as it celebrates its Centennial and tells us about its plans for the future, including a Volt update.
The question is UNDER WHAT REGIME is the Volt going to achieve 40 miles in EV mode?
I can tell you right now that it's not going to be on surface streets. Why? Because actions speak louder than words...their choice to optimize aerodynamics over weight is a clear indication to me that they are less interested in (and most definitely unable) to obtain better fuel economy on surface streets.
This is not even including all the stuff you mentioned such as using A/C, etc.
I'd say they'd probably get 10-15 miles of EV performance at best. I guess not bad as start...anything will help...BUT I don't think they went around the right way to optimize this car.
This was a chance for GM to restyle the car per say. Cars NEED to head in a different direction if these performance criteria are to be met.
Our inability to let of of the past designs, past styles, and whatnot will hinder severely the progress of automotive designs in the future.
ill have more on this later, but gm confirmed that the same city cycle used on all cars by the epa is the same cycle that the volt would achieve 40 miles of electricity.
hypermilers, just as with the prius, could do better, just as very aggressive drivers will do worse.
nonetheless, the volt will achieve 40 miles of electric power on the EPA city cycle.
Let's hope so because that would be good news.
I talked to Tony Posawatz, Volt vehicle line director, at GM's Centennial celebration yesterday.
To read my interview click here, Why
40 is the Chevy Volt's magic number
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