ABG: Chevy Volt completes 1776-mile Freedom Drive in just 3 days; EVs can't match that

I missed that part of the documentary Gilligan's island, so I looked it up. The radio wasn't made out of coconut, but they did power it with a battery made with a coconut shell and seawater. They apparently did not show what the anode or cathode were made from otherwise we might be powering the volt with these more environmentally friendly batteries. It does make more sense than the gm fuel cell plan.

 

Wise words

 

I kind of liked my version better.

 

C'mon people . . . cheer up & give GM a break! Sure, they've been back room double dealing in the past, but now the government owns GM so . . . um . . . never mind.



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1 year later.

:bump:

As this publicity stunt gone bad fades from memory and all the hype dies down, the reality of sales is beginning to emerge.

The expensive plug-in that was delivered, which reverts to traditional vehicle efficiency after depletion, isn't taking the market by storm as it was hoped to. In fact, their own traditional compact is instead.

The public stock our government was hoping to sell back is still valued at less than what we paid for it. Accepting that loss would officially qualify it as a bailout... and without any competitive high-efficiency technology to show for it. Heavy dependence on taxpayer funding (credits) for the sales of Volt further stress that point.

Waiting and hoping for the best isn't exactly a sound plan. Showing patience works if there's something realistic to be delivered. But all is quiet now. No more 1776-miles drives. No more 230 MPG advertising campaigns. Even the spin about low sales has subsided.

What should we expect from GM now?
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Next they will have Sara Palin driving one with flag wrapped around her!

 

"Freedom Drive" or "Freedom Fries", I say: "Let them eat cake"

Well, the reason EVs can't match that is because it is plug-in hybrid, not an electric vehicle. I may have missed the fuel efficiency of the 1776-mile trip, but I would like to know!

 

I just read the whole thread. Its kind of interesting to see how so many of the assumed shortcomings turned out to be so much FUD, like underpowered sluggish performance in CS mode.

 

They never announced it. My guess is 41 MPG. EPA highway number is 40 MPG and the initial 35 miles on battery should bump it up by 1.

It was driven on Premium gas too. Ouch!

 

I think that was the reason they decided to connect the ICE and turn the wheels - can't have Prius faster than the Volt.

The parallel hybrid element enhanced the performance but they made a lot of supporters liars. Even the founder of gm-volt site sold the site and decided to quit shortly after.

GM Lied: Chevy Volt Is Not a True EV
How GM "Lied" About The Electric Car

 

June Sales Report (from our Japanese Friend); Volt; 561...Leaf (in a "photo" finish) comes in first at 1708. (insert news articles a few months back about slow Leaf deliveries that implied was due to lack of demand here)

 

Knowing details of that past provided a clue of what to expect upon rollout, especially with the extreme denial we saw from die-hard enthusiasts when direct-drive info was leaked. It was quite obvious there would be downplay coming.

1,776 miles of driving a Volt, yet never revealing the very information many people were begging for, was a major clue things were starting to go wrong. Why in the world wouldn't they share MPG data?

Next came price... which horrified some and disenchanted others. It was a serious blow to a vehicle technology which had been hyped all along as a mainstream choice for consumers in late 2010.

Upon rollout, a major change came from a non-GM source. It was an abrupt shift in stance from the founder of that daily blog for Volt. He worked intensely for 4 years to establish a website to support the rollout effort, then suddenly became quiet. Strangeness in his reporting of real-world data was the first clue. Nothing reported during the blizzards at the end of the year where he lived added to the mystery. That was a golden opportunity to endorse Volt performance in hostile driving conditions. Instead, we didn't hear a peep. Then came the annoucement of the website being sold. Something was amiss.

Now all this time later, we know things aren't going as hoped. So, taking a look back at how GM & Volt got into this mess should help us better understand what is to come.

In the meantime, I'm scrambling to document every little detail of cordless Prius real-world data (including video) so I can share extensive comparison info later when I get my PHV. Don't expect my 11-year effort to abruptly come to an end. I plan on kicking gas for many years to come.
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I no not recall reading that the forum owner ever admitted that he left over disappointment in the GM PR machine.

 

He was given a Volt for a few months as part of Consumer Advisory Board. He sold his site right after that ended. This was also after details about ICE connection to the wheels was revealed. The last article he wrote was an interview with Volt tech guy (forgot exact title) that Voltec is optimized as much as possible and that no further improvements could be done.

He had his own Volt ordered. I don't think it was ever purchased because he was last quoted saying he has 3 childrens and a bigger Voltec MPV would be great.

 

No, it was purely to improve fuel economy. And the engine can only contribute about 10-15% of it's power directly to the transmission.

The side effect is that the Volt is slightly faster when in CS mode - but really the difference is small and not noticeable until you're up to highway speeds.

With 110 kW (150hp) even with how heavy the Volt is, it really drives a LOT better than the Prius.

The Toyota HSD is both good and bad - great for efficiency but man, there is a lot of lag before the engine kicks in and when it does it's not smooth at all.

After driving the LEAF for nearly 800 miles it's such a different/better experience - and many argue that the Volt drives even better than the LEAF.

There's 3 things that makes the Volt a non-starter for me:

1. Price - I don't want to spend more than $30k after taxes for a car if I can help it.
2. Room - back seat is seriously lacking in leg room.
3. CS fuel economy - Need at least low 40s. Too many reports of the Volt only cracking 40 mpg when driven very carefully - needs to be high 30s typical worst case.

 

I am almost certain he bought a car. In any case, you are trying to connect dots, yes ?

 

so all this would be solved by him simply making a comment on whether he bought or not? hmmm, sorry but have to side with John. his silence most likely is from a non-disclosure from GM or his embarrassment, or his unwillingness to eat crow. i be thinking its probably a combo of all 3

 

Yea, just stating what I know and trying to make sense. What makes you certain he bought a Volt?

Hype was at peak around this time last year. What a difference a year made!