EV Weblog » ev-1

T-shaped battery pack might get changed in the future

Jason — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:15:59 +0000

The battery pack for the Volt is shaped like a capitol T. It starts under the hood and runs through the center of the car. The shape of the battery pack limits the Volt to only four passengers since it runs through the middle of the rear seat. There is no room for a center seat unless it sits much too high to allow for adequate headroom and still be safe.

GM has used this shape in their EV-1 that they made back in the mid 90s and it so far has survived today. But if they wanted to port the e-flex technology that drives the Volt to a different more family friendly platform the battery pack would need to change shape. Luckily it is configurable so GM can choose whatever shape they desire. The T works well in a car because of the limited space available in the car. A minivan or SUV might allow the shape to change.

Volt turns former GM foe to friend

Jason — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:32:32 +0000

Two years ago Chris Paine made a documentary movie titled ‘who killed the electric car’. The documentary followed the events of the ev-1 that GM was producing back in the mid 90s. In it he lambasted GM at every opportunity. He questioned GMs motives for recollecting all the leased ev-1s on the road.

These days Paine is singing a different tune. He has a lot of praise to give GM for it’s commitment to the Chevy Volt.

The Volt is helping to turn GMs green image around

“I like (the Volt) concept better than the (Toyota) Prius, personally, because I know how much fun it is to drive with an electric motor,” says Paine, who soon will release a sequel documentary called, “Revenge of the Electric Car.”

“(The Volt) is so smooth and fast, and you can (choose) to not use any petroleum,” he says of the car’s technology. “I don’t have that option in my Prius. I always have to fill that sucker up. So I think it’s the better approach.

“My vote is for anything that lets you drive electric and plug it in,” he says.

GM creates site to dispell rumors

Jason — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:49:26 +0000

It seems that GM is getting tired of the constant barrage of unsubstantiated accusations made on it. They started a website, GMFactsAndFiction.com, to deal with all the rumors that surround GM.

The site tackles the current issues first. From the notion that GM is asking for a bailout, to the Volt being vaporware, to the perceived MPG of their line up. They also talk about older issues as well. Many people seem to think that GM killed the EV-1. This entry explains everything that happened surrounding the EV-1.

The EV-1 program ended due to the lack of suitable batteries. Although many people said they wanted an electric car, when faced with a range of 80 miles or less between overnight recharges, most went elsewhere. Other carmakers’ EV programs of that era met a similar fate – the batteries weren’t ready for prime time.

Because of legal requirements to provide warranty service and spare parts, GM could not leave the vehicles in service once the leases had ended.

It’ll be interesting to see if this makes any impact on how people view GM.