2009 Toyota Prius-III rumored to have a 20 mile AER vs. the Volt’s 40. (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/BIZ/708040317/1148/AUTO01)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/548/Chevrolet_Volt_Front_Page.jpgDetroit News - August 4, 2007
GM’s own PHEV project (the “Volt”) is expected to be available by 2010 should have twice the range of an as yet to be seen 2009 PHEV capable Toyota Prius-III.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in electric car may have less than half the range of a competing vehicle planned by General Motors Corp., people with knowledge of both companies' development programs said. GM wants its Chevrolet Volt to travel at least 40 miles after being charged at a normal household outlet, while the Toyota model may go no more than 20 miles on a single charge, said the people, who asked not to be identified because details of the plans are still secret.
Hi All:
___An even better overview …
Toyota Electric Car May Have Half the Range of GM's. (http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=apIGQu4uTAQI)
___Good Luck
___Wayne
20 is good, 40 is better, but now let's see the price.
ILAveo
08-04-2007, 09:01 PM
Hi All:
___An even better overview …
Toyota Electric Car May Have Half the Range of GM's. (http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=apIGQu4uTAQI)
___Good Luck
___Wayne
Thanks Wayne, Great Article, particularly interesting that the Who Killed the Electric Car guy is giving kudos to GM.
hobbit
08-06-2007, 12:27 AM
"friction from braking to recharge the battery" ??!
.
Bah. Charlatans.
.
_H*
lightfoot
08-06-2007, 07:20 AM
"friction from braking to recharge the battery" ??!
.
Bah. Charlatans.
.
_H*
No. Really. Heat from the brakes will be used to generate steam which will spin tiny turbines which will be hooked to generators which will charge the battery. Simple!
Another thought: isn't the Volt just a mock-up? Does it have any mechanical internals at all? AFAIK all this media splash is about some concepts and a styling exercise, no?
Right Lane Cruiser
08-06-2007, 08:54 AM
So are we definitely talking a 2009 plug-in version of the Prius? Is that 2009 model year or sometime 2009?
I guess the same question applies to the new Honda hybrid -- model year or actual year? Any hint that model will be plug-in as well?
I'm finding GM's claims to be somewhat dubious :rolleyes: (I don't seem to be alone in that?) but it would be nice to have a vehicle that could do 40mi with no gas and would only use a small engine to charge the batteries for extended range. When I saw the modified Mini running this type of setup I wanted it immediately! :)
I have a feeling that GM hasn't cut the cost and won't be able to produce this car under $30K like they proposed. It just seems to be a bit too big to run on an electric motor and battery for a price affordable to me. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
WriConsult
08-06-2007, 12:49 PM
Well, the car I'm designing will have three times the EV range of the PHEV Prius. So there!
Of course the drivetrain for that car exists only in my head. But so far, the car is just as real as the Volt. ;)
I don't doubt that "insiders" say that. Sounds like a planned White House-style "leak" to me.
Pravus Prime
08-06-2007, 04:16 PM
I don't doubt that "insiders" say that. Sounds like a planned White House-style "leak" to me.
That would be because it is.
I'm disapointed by the reluctance and pricing that PHEVs seem to be attached to for the moment, hopefully it'll drop and soon.
99HXCivic
01-17-2008, 10:46 PM
I hate the Volt's body style. It's more like a 2 seater sports car vs a utilitarian 4 dr like the Prius. Totally flawed. I wouldn't be surprised if Volt sales flopped!
The only GM stuff I like is the Solstice and Corvette. New Malibu might be ok. But GM has nice styling / better looking vehicles than Toyota.
Hi 99HXCivic:
___The Volt as shown will not be anything like that in production. Give GM the benefit of the doubt. The CTS makes everything Toyota including Lexus look like an also-ran and with their energy, let us see what they come up with first before criticism gets out of hand. Remember Toyota is selling Tundra’s as hard as they can for profit which just about negates everything the Prius has done on the eco-friendly side of the fence these past 8 years :(
___Good Luck
___Wayne
