[car fanatics]

Chevrolet
Photo credit: Chevrolet
June 7, 2012
By: CF staff

Battery storage capacity increase and cell chemistry changes enable improved range

The all-electric vehicle range of the 2013 Chevrolet Volt will be 38 miles on a single charge, providing owners with a three-mile EV range increase from the 2012 model. The miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) will increase from 94 miles to 98 miles and the total range, including extended range operation, will be 380 miles.

Based on real-world experience by Volt owners since the vehicle launched in late 2010, engineers made minor changes to the material composition of the battery cell chemistry, resulting in improved performance and durability. Manganese spinel chemistry remains the foundation for the Volt’s battery system, but the amount of each material has been slightly modified to provide better life performance.

“The best way to explain what we’ve done at the cell level is to compare it to a cake batter recipe. Sometimes if you use more sugar and less vanilla you get a better tasting cake. We’ve done some work at the cell level to modify the ‘ingredients’ to make a better end result,” said Bill Wallace, GM director of Global Battery Systems Engineering. “This attention to detail will allow our customers to experience more pure EV range, which is the true benefit of owning a Volt.”

In addition, the total storage capacity of the Volt battery has been increased from 16 kWh of energy to 16.5 kWh, and engineers have expanded the state-of-charge window to use 10.8 kWh of the total battery energy – up from 10.3 kWh used in the 2012 model. The battery system maintains a buffer to ensure battery life, but that buffer has been reduced.

The improved EV range capability will result in slight increases to the Volt’s charge times. A full recharge using a 120V could take 10.5 hours and 4.25 hours using a 240V charging unit.

Cells with improved chemistry have accumulated 150,000 test miles to date. The tests have revealed less battery degradation, the ability to withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius and less impact by energy throughput.

For the first 38 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Volt owners have travelled more than 65 million miles since the vehicle launched late 2010. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

[G8mike]

Good stuff - continuous improvement and reduced prices through economies of scale are what this car needs to be a success. So far, the Volt is winning the electric car war in my area, but they are still a rare sight, and still none (other than sold units) on the dealer lots.

[McLovin]

Wow, up to 10.5 hours of charge time, to run 38 miles.
Blah, blah-blah….you can extend it with gasoline. And of course, there will be oil changes. And tune-ups. And belts and gaskets and other fluids and gas station pumping visits……all the things you have none of with a regular "all electric" vehicle, used for short range commutes.

I just don't see the big gains we were promissed by some volt fans here for volt v2.0, just a slight tweak. With so many hybrids and PHEV's coming on line this year, some with better fuel economy and lower cost and of course faster charge times……I have to wonder what will happen to volt sales.

[jaybird]

Wings, did you see the article in the Free Press a few days ago saying that dealers can't get enough Volts in California. I said six months ago that once Volts were allowed in HOV lanes in California that sales would take off and it appears my forecast is correct.

Now that the prius doesn't quality for HOV stickers, sales for the Volt look excellent in my view. Let's remember that this little clause in California law is the only reason toyota was even selling in hybirds pre-2006.

[McLovin]

jaybird;210800 Wrote:Wings, did you see the article in the Free Press a few days ago saying that dealers can't get enough Volts in California. I said six months ago that once Volts were allowed in HOV lanes in California that sales would take off and it appears my forecast is correct.

Now that the prius doesn't quality for HOV stickers, sales for the Volt look excellent in my view. Let's remember that this little clause in California law is the only reason toyota was even selling in hybirds pre-2006.

I stand corrected then. I will admit.

Meh, wtf do I know anyway

[jaybird]

McLovin;210801 Wrote:

jaybird;210800 Wrote:Wings, did you see the article in the Free Press a few days ago saying that dealers can't get enough Volts in California. I said six months ago that once Volts were allowed in HOV lanes in California that sales would take off and it appears my forecast is correct.

Now that the prius doesn't quality for HOV stickers, sales for the Volt look excellent in my view. Let's remember that this little clause in California law is the only reason toyota was even selling in hybirds pre-2006.

I stand corrected then. I will admit.

Meh, wtf do I know anyway

Just wish you would stop bashing the Volt so much.

When the C-Max/Fusion Energi models hit the market we can see what type of charge they hold vs price.

[Scout]

Quote:dealers can't get enough Volts in California.

The car has to be special made for California, bringing down the % that can be offered to the state. Sad part about that is California has the highest % of buyers.

An extra $1500 state tax rebate bringing the total to $9000 of the price of the car, and HOV stickers probably also keeps inventory moving in California.

[McLovin]

jaybird;210805 Wrote:

McLovin;210801 Wrote:

jaybird;210800 Wrote:Wings, did you see the article in the Free Press a few days ago saying that dealers can't get enough Volts in California. I said six months ago that once Volts were allowed in HOV lanes in California that sales would take off and it appears my forecast is correct.

Now that the prius doesn't quality for HOV stickers, sales for the Volt look excellent in my view. Let's remember that this little clause in California law is the only reason toyota was even selling in hybirds pre-2006.

I stand corrected then. I will admit.

Meh, wtf do I know anyway

Just wish you would stop bashing the Volt so much.

When the C-Max/Fusion Energi models hit the market we can see what type of charge they hold vs price.

Fair enough. I am a big critic, you are right. But only because of (2) reasons.

1. Got tired of 4-5 years of nonstop fluffing by GM fans, literally claiming it will change the automotive world as we know it, yet it is little more than another PHEV.
2. Retribution for the belittlement of equivalent Ford products, by those same GM fans.


But you did ask nicely, so I will tone it down quite a bit.

See, more flys with sugar than lemons folks.


Carry on.

[jaybird]

I agree that we all had to live with the years of build up for the Volt but that's now done.

What surprises me the most right now about sales in this category is that anyone would buy a plug-in prius over a Volt.

[RougeRiver]

It seems to me that all the 100% EVs are priced about the same as the Volt - which has an ICE for range extension. Yes, the Leaf is cheaper but it looks cheaper. The Focus EV is about the same price as the Volt and does offer a very decent interior.

If I am going to pay that price, I would go with the Volt. The Volt would be perfect for my wife. She has a morning commute of about 20 miles in sticky stop and go to her first job and another 30 miles in the evening to a second job. The five hours between can be used to top up the charge. Sure, an 80 mile EV can do that but what if she gets a call to drive the gramps she is taking care of to Frederick?

Another choice for me would be a Fusion hybrid.

IMHO, the ICE will remain in cars with some form of E-motor assist being blended into the system.

[RougeRiver]

jaybird;210812 Wrote:I agree that we all had to live with the years of build up for the Volt but that's now done.

What surprises me the most right now about sales in this category is that anyone would buy a plug-in prius over a Volt.

Due to intellectual insecurity, many can not criticize anything Toyota offers.

If the Prius plug-in were badged GM and the Volt was Toyota, I guarantee that the press would pan the Prius for falsely claiming an EV mode.

If the gas pedal is depressed moderately or hard in EV mode, the Prius ICE will start up. That is NOT an EV mode and stating such is a lie.

All the plug-in Prius does is dedicate more time periods to E-motor operation in charge depletion mode (the correct and accepted term by those versed in this technology) till the battery state of charge mandates chare sustaining mode. IOW, the Prius plug-in always operates as a hybrid.

The Volt, on the other hand, is a full 100% EV in charge depletion mode. In this mode, no application of throttle or speed of operation will turn on the ICE.

The Volt also uses the E-motor as a primary drive in all modes of operation.

The Prius is an ICE primary drive system with E-motor augmentation. That why it CAN NOT keep the ICE off in all situations during is lame attempt at EV mode - unless doing 0-60 in 23 seconds is deemed a reasonable acceleration rate to get on I-696 during rush hour.

Maybe Ford will do better with their plug-ins. I think they will but also feel that more Toyotas will sell - that's the USA we live in.

[CTS-Vluvr]

McLovin;210801 Wrote:

jaybird;210800 Wrote:Wings, did you see the article in the Free Press a few days ago saying that dealers can't get enough Volts in California. I said six months ago that once Volts were allowed in HOV lanes in California that sales would take off and it appears my forecast is correct.

Now that the prius doesn't quality for HOV stickers, sales for the Volt look excellent in my view. Let's remember that this little clause in California law is the only reason toyota was even selling in hybirds pre-2006.

I stand corrected then. I will admit.

Meh, wtf do I know anyway

You don't know shit, so why don't you shut the fuck up?:WINK:

[jspookss]

[Chevroletguy]

McLovin;210795 Wrote:Wow, up to 10.5 hours of charge time, to run 38 miles.
Blah, blah-blah….you can extend it with gasoline. And of course, there will be oil changes. And tune-ups. And belts and gaskets and other fluids and gas station pumping visits……all the things you have none of with a regular "all electric" vehicle, used for short range commutes.

I just don't see the big gains we were promissed by some volt fans here for volt v2.0, just a slight tweak. With so many hybrids and PHEV's coming on line this year, some with better fuel economy and lower cost and of course faster charge times……I have to wonder what will happen to volt sales.

Wings, this isn't even close to Volt 2.0, or even 1.5, this is just a minor tweak. You'll stop at nothing to bash GM nowadays.

[CTS-Vluvr]

RougeRiver;210819 Wrote:

jaybird;210812 Wrote:I agree that we all had to live with the years of build up for the Volt but that's now done.

What surprises me the most right now about sales in this category is that anyone would buy a plug-in prius over a Volt.

Due to intellectual insecurity, many can not criticize anything Toyota offers.

If the Prius plug-in were badged GM and the Volt was Toyota, I guarantee that the press would pan the Prius for falsely claiming an EV mode.

If the gas pedal is depressed moderately or hard in EV mode, the Prius ICE will start up. That is NOT an EV mode and stating such is a lie.

All the plug-in Prius does is dedicate more time periods to E-motor operation in charge depletion mode (the correct and accepted term by those versed in this technology) till the battery state of charge mandates chare sustaining mode. IOW, the Prius plug-in always operates as a hybrid.

The Volt, on the other hand, is a full 100% EV in charge depletion mode. In this mode, no application of throttle or speed of operation will turn on the ICE.

The Volt also uses the E-motor as a primary drive in all modes of operation.

The Prius is an ICE primary drive system with E-motor augmentation. That why it CAN NOT keep the ICE off in all situations during is lame attempt at EV mode - unless doing 0-60 in 23 seconds is deemed a reasonable acceleration rate to get on I-696 during rush hour.

Maybe Ford will do better with their plug-ins. I think they will but also feel that more Toyotas will sell - that's the USA we live in.

I full agree with the bold statement. The c's "EV Only" mode was fucking joke. A minute press of the gas peddle would fire up the engine. Any speed over 8 miles per hour or so would fire up the engine. It seems that Toyota customers enjoy spending extra cash on subpar build quality and lies... that's the USA we live in.