GM Volt fuel economy not so great

[DarrinS]

Popular Mechanics

Fuel Economy

In addition to measuring EV range, we also recorded the fuel use when the car was in its “charge sustaining" mode. In other words, we computed the fuel economy after the battery was depleted, both on our city loop and the highway trip. In the city, we recorded 31.67 mpg and achieved 36.0 mpg on the highway. If we factor in the distance traveled on the battery's energy the fuel economy jumps to 37.5 mpg city and 38.15 mpg highway.

Yippie!



For comparison, this NON-hybrid car got over 50 mpg more than 20 years ago.

[RandomGuy]

Popular Mechanics




Yippie!



For comparison, this NON-hybrid car got over 50 mpg more than 20 years ago.

Fuel Economy

In addition to measuring EV range, we also recorded the fuel use when the car was in its “charge sustaining" mode. In other words, we computed the fuel economy after the battery was depleted, both on our city loop and the highway trip. In the city, we recorded 31.67 mpg and achieved 36.0 mpg on the highway. If we factor in the distance traveled on the battery's energy the fuel economy jumps to 37.5 mpg city and 38.15 mpg highway.

Shocker.

[DarrinS]

Shocker.

Sounds like you didn't read the entire thing. They also accounted for distance traveled using the battery.

[coyotes_geek]

So what's the point here?

[RandomGuy]

Sounds like you didn't read the entire thing. They also accounted for distance traveled using the battery.

You are correct. That is what I get for taking anti-histimine.

I missed that part.

Critical question time Darrin.

What is your conclusion based on the article?

What do you think it means?

[MannyIsGod]

Whats the fuel economy when running on batteries? How long do they last? Can you reasonably operate the car on a regular basis without anything but battery power?

[RandomGuy]

So what's the point here?

I believe Darrin is implying that these cars won't get as good a gas mileage as everybody thinks.

He is missing a rather vital piece of information that will fatally wound that thesis.

Let's see if he attempts to make his case first, or if he knows that fatal flaw already and is just passing on propaganda, as I am sure some conserva-blog told him to.

[RandomGuy]

hints hints

Shhhh.

Give the man enough to hoist him by. (evil grin)

I doubt he thought it through yet.

[CosmicCowboy]

Whats the fuel economy when running on batteries? How long do they last? Can you reasonably operate the car on a regular basis without anything but battery power?

I believe I read the Volt can only go 40 miles on a charge (with new/fresh batteries) That would work for someone with a reasonable to/from work commute.

[MannyIsGod]

How does it charge? Plug in or self generating? If its plug in then as long as you drive less than 40 miles between charges you would exponentially increase your fuel economy.

[ElNono]

For comparison, this NON-hybrid car got over 50 mpg more than 20 years ago.

The Volt has a 149 HP electric motor on it, while that Honda CRX has a 58 HP engine on it.

Not surprised that you're comparing oranges to apples, but if you actually match the power output, the Volt is undeniably much more efficient.

[ElNono]

Heck, the gas engine that feeds the generator on the Volt put out more HP (74) than the Honda's engine (58).

[MannyIsGod]

Ok, so CC is right, 40 miles before charging. Most Americans don't commute more than 40 miles per day. Charge is done by plugging in, therefor you could go a very very long time before you even need to kick in anything but battery power.

Fuel economy is going to be very dependent on individual driving habits therefor rendering Darrin's OP meaningless.

[ElNono]

How does it charge? Plug in or self generating? If its plug in then as long as you drive less than 40 miles between charges you would exponentially increase your fuel economy.

It's a plug in, but it also has a built in 1.4 L gas engine hooked to a generator to extend the range.

[CosmicCowboy]

How does it charge? Plug in or self generating? If its plug in then as long as you drive less than 40 miles between charges you would exponentially increase your fuel economy.

No argument on the efficiency if you can stomach the $40,000 price tag for an econo-box and the $10,000 to replace the batteries after the 100,000 mile warranty runs out.

[baseline bum]

Sounds like you didn't read the entire thing. They also accounted for distance traveled using the battery.

How much total distance was travelled in their test?

[RandomGuy]

How does it charge? Plug in or self generating? If its plug in then as long as you drive less than 40 miles between charges you would exponentially increase your fuel economy.

Man, you aren't letting him hang himself.

That is the very obvious rejoinder, to everybody, it seems, except him.

If you make no trips for an entire year that is less than the battery range and are concientious about recharging, then your gas mileage is essentially infinite.

Intriging thing about electric cars is the ready solution to charging the things, PV panels backed up by the electrical grid.

Imagine a parking garage capped by a good PV array, or for that matter, a lot of covered parking.

[ElNono]

Purposely missing from the same Popular Mechanics study:

"As for the rather unremarkable fuel economy, it's useful to remember that the Volt carries two powertrains—electric and gas—and thus suffers a weight penalty that effects overall efficiency. But of course, those two powertrains are why the Volt can be a primary vehicle that doesn't ask the owner to compromise driving cycles like a pure EV. Consider the Volt a well-engineered first step on the path to electrified vehicles."

[4>0rings]

Popular Mechanics




Yippie!



For comparison, this NON-hybrid car got over 50 mpg more than 20 years ago.

That tin can doesn't have to meet modern safety and envoirnment requirements. You're also asking a newer technology to surpass another of the same platform that has had over a century of r and d.

I had a CRX HF for a year or 2. It would get over 50mpg on the highway. When ever I put gas in it, I could never remember when I had put gas in it before.

Give it another 10 years and this won't even be an arguement.

This is more than just about fuel economy, it's about placing a useable energy source in control of the country that uses it. The more we can use electricity to power vehicles and be self suficient, the less foreign countires have control over America.

[MannyIsGod]

No argument on the efficiency if you can stomach the $40,000 price tag for an econo-box and the $10,000 to replace the batteries after the 100,000 mile warranty runs out.

Definitely not for me but it definitely is efficent.

[RandomGuy]

No argument on the efficiency if you can stomach the $40,000 price tag for an econo-box and the $10,000 to replace the batteries after the 100,000 mile warranty runs out.

That is a good point.

10,000/60 = 166.67

If those batteries replace $166.67 dollars of gasoline per month over 5 years, then you have paid for them.

That is roughly 10 cents per mile. The equivalent of a gasoline powered car with 30 MPG at 3.00 per gallon.

That assumes that gas price increases do not exceed inflation.

If they do, then the calculus starts shifting to the vehicle, as you start making up the purchase cost.

[CosmicCowboy]

Definitely not for me but it definitely is efficent.

For an urban commuter the Leaf is a much better choice. Ten Grand cheaper and 100 mile (battery only) range.

[RandomGuy]

Intriging thing about electric cars is the ready solution to charging the things, PV panels backed up by the electrical grid.

Imagine a parking garage capped by a good PV array, or for that matter, a lot of covered parking.

By the by, those panels don't have to be re-imported every year.

[ElNono]

No argument on the efficiency if you can stomach the $40,000 price tag for an econo-box and the $10,000 to replace the batteries after the 100,000 mile warranty runs out.

Or 3 to 5 years... That's how long LI-ION lifetime is...

That said, this is the kind of development you need to advance the field if we're ever to start moving away from gas. An actual commercial product, produced in quan y that's relatively affordable.

[CosmicCowboy]

By the by, those panels don't have to be re-imported every year.

Just after the next hail storm