May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Stan Soliday

GM was experimenting with electric car conversions as early as the 1960s. The Corvair and Chevette models were converted to electric, but never produced.

Then in 1987 came a racing in the sun; the solar powered auto race across Australia. The GM sponsored solar powered Sunraycer won. GM followed up with the 1990 Impact electric car. The car was aided in design by technical experts AC Propulsion and Hughes electronics. The futuristic looking ride was the precursor of the EV1. The car was well ahead of the pack except for its lead acid battery bank.

1994, GM started up the Preview program. The program provided 50 custom built Impact EVs for evaluation. 14,000 people applied to be testers. Motor Trend Magazine called the car “Fantastic”. A modified Impact hit a world record183mph.

In one of those interesting twists of fate, the Impact was so well received that it influenced the California Air Resources Board to craft the now famous and defunct Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The ruling specified increasing electric car production quotas from the major auto manufactures from 2% in 1998 to 10% in 2003. Gm appeared at first to be all with the mandate, Chevy S-10 pickup trucks were fitted with electric drive motors.

Then, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan showed their support by producing their own EV prototypes. Ford converted its Ranger pickup trucks to electric, and released the Ford TH!NK EV. Electric car conversions blossomed. EVs were indeed on a roll.

The Impact evolved into the 1996 EV1. The car was a hit from the start. Celebrities drove the car and provided free advertising. We remember the local TV anchorman driving the EV1 on camera while providing a steady stream of positive comments. Production was limited, and the EV1 could not be bought and paid for. The car could only be leased, but the future looked good for the electric car. 288 of the 1996 version with lead acid batteries were leased.

GM at this time was already expressing EV doubts in public. The company viewed the PreView program as a failure, yet continued with EV1 development, along with a promotional ad campaign. The hot-cold attitude of GM did not go unnoticed. Citizens repeatedly demonstrated support for the EV1, spending time and money on what they considered to be correct and well done.

In 1999, major improvements were made to the battery pack and drive electronics. In yet another curious move, the number of leases made available was restricted despite an increase in demand for the leases. GM did not seem to obey rational laws of supply and demand.

Then in a reversal, GM issued a recall for 450 EV1s. There were technical problems with the battery packs. 200 of the cars were re-fitted with Ni-MH battery packs.

In 1999, the EV1 production line was stopped after making some 1100 cars. In 2002, recalls of the EV1 were begun, consumers reacted. There were attempts at negotiation. There were protests. In the end, the cars were re-claimed and stored away in a warehouse. The EV1 program was officially ended in 2003. This is the same year that the CARB ruling regarding was repealed, aided by a phalanx of auto industry and cloaked oil company legal types.

The story ends with the crushing of nearly every single EV1. The efforts against EV1 smashing were many and well documented, as demonstrated in the film “Who Killed the Electric car”. Several GM executives have expressed remorse at this outcome.

Fast forward to 2010, GM has done another 180 degree turn. Now the company is planning to produce the Chevy Volt. GM has referred to the Volt as both an electric car, and a range extended electric vehicle (REEV). The strategy is working. People are lining up once again to purchase the latest GM electric powered car. The Volt is technically a Series Hybrid vehicle.

The new GM EV has the largest Hybrid battery pack out there at 16kWh. This Li-Ion pack is as large as the battery pack in some fully electric cars, like the Mitsubishi iMiev.

The car also has an onboard generator, and 4-cylinder gas engine. Unlike many other hybrids (GM included), the Volt engine only powers the generator, which in turn powers the electric drive motor. So, after the 40 mile or so range is extruded from the battery pack, the 4 banger kicks in and provides your extended range. The battery pack is only recharged by plugging it in. This also lends the label of “PHEV”, or plug in electric vehicle to the Volt.

GM has a history of producing winning electric cars. Lets hope the company stays the course and avoids anymore turn arounds in the middle of the electric highway.

Thanks for checking out this article.

For more on GM electric cars, or the Chevy Volt, just visit: http://evsroll.com/GM_electric_cars.html or http://evsroll.com/Chevrolet_electric_car.html

Article Source: Stan Soliday

GM Electric Cars

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May 6, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Matthew Keegan

Everyone knows about the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, GM’s plug-in electrified hybrid vehicle. General Motors has been beating the Volt drum steadily since the car was first announced in 2007, frequently updating the world as to what we can expect when this extended range model hits the market in late 2010.

Voltec Technology

The Volt represents the first of what GM has promised will be several models utilizing its lithium-ion technology, with several more models planned in the coming years. GM now calls this technology Voltec in a bid to clarify and streamline mention of its electrification plans. In short, Voltec represents vehicles incorporating li-ion battery technology, with a 40 mile pure electric range and more than 250 miles of additional range thanks to a supplementary 1.4L gas engine.

A concept of a second model, the Cadillac Converj, has already made its way around the auto show circuit, but GM has decided not to go ahead and produce the car. At this point, GM is concentrating on bringing its XTS to the market, a full-sized hybrid sedan slated to replace both the STS and CTS. The Converj, though attractive and well thought out, might also compete with the Cadillac CTS coupe, thus one possible reason why GM decided against producing the car.

New Models

An official decision from GM concerning additional Voltec models will likely follow the Chevy Volt’s release, perhaps as early as Winter 2011 when the first Volts have had time to be in customer’s hands. There are several places where Voltec would work across GM’s four remaining brands, but since GM isn’t saying I’m speculating and offering up the following possibilities:

Buick: Cadillac won’t see the Converj, but that beautiful coupe could be the basis for the all new Buick Riviera. Buick needs a statement model; what better car to offer up than one that is forward thinking, yet so very attractive?

GMC: GMC is making do with its Terrain and Acadia crossovers, but why not supplement these two models with a third crossover? A Voltec crossover model has long been rumored and GMC is a natural fit. Of course, that means Chevrolet will probably get its own copy as badge engineering between the two brands remains popular.

Cadillac: The Converj is gone, but a compact Cadillac sedan will eventually slot below the CTS. Why not make it a Voltec model and why not develop a well appointed luxury sedan? Don’t get me started speculating about a Cadillac Voltec roadster!

When will these new models arrive? Expect that by model year 2015, each GM division to offer Voltec technology. How it looks and whether a minivan or pickup truck might be included in the mix remains to be seen. Still, the thought of additional Voltec models will help lower costs and stimulate sales for GM.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including body kits and vertical doors.

Article Source: Matthew Keegan

GM and Its Voltec Plans

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