Comments on: GM Pushing Fuel-Cell Engineers to Production

By: Kajauwaka

Kajauwaka — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:13:27 +0000

BUYAKASHA! BOATS ARE BETTER!

By: HJABUTDA

HJABUTDA — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:16:09 +0000

I WISH HYBRID CARS WERE CHEAPER

By: Steven B.

Steven B. — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:14:47 +0000

The E-flex system is a series-hybrid design, or what can be described as a range-extending electric vehicle system. The design offers extreme flexiblity. The concept introduced in January was shown with a GM flex-fuel tubocharged engine that can run on E85 to E0 gasoline, they announce the prospect of the system being available with a diesel engine (which can of course be flex-fuel diesel capable of using up to B100, if such an engine is available), as well as hydrogen fuel cells. The powerplant is has bifurcated: the electric motor and range extender. The batteries will likely be available eventually in different sizes with different ranges. All designs will be gridable, but the ICE model in development has a range of 40 miles without range extension (which covers the daily commute of about 75% of Americans) and the fuel-cell has a range of 20 miles without range extension. Total range for the ICE model in development will be 640 to 750 miles, and the fuel cell version is expected to have a total range of around 300 miles. Solar is not considered in anyway viable due to various issues including weight, but it is under consideration for being a secondary power source for non-motive applications like air conditioning.

The best source for more information is http://www.gm-volt.com

And from my p.o.v. the GM Volt is the harbinger of the 21st century auto industry, and not “vaporware” as many critics have suggested. GM spent around $1 billion dollars on the EV1 program and obviously lost almost all of it, and considering their current financial condition, I’m certain they’re looking to make that money back. Furthermore, GM has been extremely transparent with this program, and it has been continuously demonstrated to be an accelerated development program since the Detroit Auto Show in January. I’m extremely optimistic that a Chevy Volt can be my next car. I drive an ’05 Civic Hybrid now, by the way. I hope others can get as excited as I am. I hope this is informative and not fluffy. That my $.02 as y’all say.

By: ETM

ETM — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:37:28 +0000

What I am trying to wrap my head arround is the E-Flex system. The flexability comes in you have a battery and the power for said battery can come from a number of sources: grid, and/or ICE (flex fuel?), and/or Fuel cell, and/or solar. One wounders home much tuning and swapping will be possible with this system.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:54:10 +0000

I won't believe GM til I see it. Everything they do now is more spin than substance. I think this is a ploy to get the stock price up so top dogs can get a bonus. Sorry to be so cynical but to me they are a lousy company with more schemes than real products. My $.02

I agree with you, Steve C.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:53:45 +0000

By: AP

AP — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:27:34 +0000

The first Toyota that used in the US (in the mid-1960's) on a PR tour broke down so often they had to finish in an American car. They learned from that.

Believe it or not, so can Americans. Skepticism is healthy, but be open-minded.

By: Zepmoon

Zepmoon — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:17:27 +0000

I’m skeptical of GM’s ability to push a hybrid car to market and maintain quality control. Does anyone remember when GM “pushed” a diesel car to market in the late 1970′s? It was a total quality disaster and set the introduction of diesel cars in the US back a couple decades. GM – please – take your time and deliver a product that works as advertised!

By: Elliot

Elliot — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:25:03 +0000

I guess my point was that the statement in the article doesn't really make any sense.

Like Steve C, I don't really trust GM's motives. However, it does seem like a vehicle with great potential. Hopefully they follow through to market. I would certainly be intereted in buying one.

By: Steve C

Steve C — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:19:22 +0000

I won’t believe GM til I see it. Everything they do now is more spin than substance. I think this is a ploy to get the stock price up so top dogs can get a bonus. Sorry to be so cynical but to me they are a lousy company with more schemes than real products. My $.02