magnumCA
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Los Angeles
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Message Posted:
10/2/2008 6:08:55 PM
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tooooooooooooo much
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donutlakay
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Fort Worth
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10/2/2008 3:17:14 PM
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40 is waaaaaay too much!!
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OHMS
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Orange County
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10/2/2008 3:14:49 PM
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volt UN-PLUGGED
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gas1prospector
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Toronto
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10/2/2008 3:07:54 PM
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I Volt No. No to Bailout plan, No to Ethanol, and No to high Gas prices as well. LOL
[Edited by: gas1prospector at 10/2/2008 4:08:16 PM EST]
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zonernovi
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Michigan
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10/2/2008 7:15:32 AM
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40 is too much
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boolphrog
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Connecticut
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10/1/2008 12:26:39 PM
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As many have pointed out --it is a starting place --
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kingdick
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Minnesota
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10/1/2008 11:40:00 AM
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More than the top surface of the car.
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SuesBuffalo
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Richmond
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10/1/2008 10:22:01 AM
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Just got to figure how to tie it to a bunch of solar cells. I wonder how many it would take?
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amearly
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Michigan
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10/1/2008 10:01:59 AM
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Once again the Big three are always behind in times and all they can produce is a car that gets 40 miles on a single charge so I suppose the car will lats 30 + years so I mightrecoup the high price tag?
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jat60
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California
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 10:01:52 AM
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Lasing wrote:
"jat60, your info is incorrect. The gas engine doen not move the car in any way."
I disagree. Volt is driven by electric motors which are powered by batteries. Then there's a gasoline (or other) engine which drives a generator, to recharge the batteries. But the electricity provided by that generator can also power the motors which drive the wheels. That, in fact, is how Volt gets approx 400 miles on a tank of gas - NOT by sitting around for a few hours recharging the battery using the gasoline engine (as some people seem to believe)!
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Soccerhooligan
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Indianapolis
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10/1/2008 10:00:20 AM
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It would be nice to see a vehicle like this closer to the 20k range. Hopefully with advances in technology, this will become a reality. Just remember folks, most people who are struggling to keep gas in thier tanks are the ones who would benefit the most from this car. I personally make decent money, not rich by any means, but not eating ramen noodles everyday either and I have a difficult time paying for my 20k matrix(36 mpg), plus gas, insurance, mortgage, medical bills and all other cost of living expences.
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Don20
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Oklahoma City
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10/1/2008 9:48:31 AM
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Sounds like the same old U.S. auto makers to me. Has been in limbo for two years and will not be out until 2011, that is 5 yrs. Now what do we have, a vehicle that you only get 40 miles on a single charge. $40,000 price tag. (yep same old auto makers..)
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LOJaC
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Maryland
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10/1/2008 9:45:43 AM
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This car works a lot like modern diesel locomotives do, with the addition of batteries. Diesel locomotives are actually powered by electric motors. The electric motors are powered by electricity generated by diesel engines. That's how diesel/electric locomotives have such good fuel efficiency.
The volt takes that concept and puts it in a car, but adds batteries that can hold a charge for ~40 miles. That means no fuel burned for those 40 miles. After that, the locomotive technology kicks in and it generates more electricity to drive the wheels.
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AlaRedNeck
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Kansas
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:45:41 AM
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as time passes the distance you can drive on a single charge should increase
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RochBear
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Minnesota
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:43:58 AM
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There seems to be a huge misunderstanding about the Volt.
The Volt can go 40 miles on a charged battery - true. But then the gas engine will kick in, and the generator will charge the batteries/run the car (Just like your current alternator does - The electric motor (starter) uses electricity to start the car, but then the alternator recharges the battery)
So the volt has 40 mile range on pure electricity, but a 400 mile range if you use the gasoline engine (to make electricity)
So it's a great commuter car - does not take any gas to go 40 miles.
It's a very good gas sipper (gets 100 MPG)
So it's very good on gas, and it's "OK" on electricity. (I would like to see 100 miles per charge, but I believe that will come, when better batteries are invented) I would also like to see some solar cells on the roof. I would also like to see a hydrogen version, which uses a fuel cell to create electricity, vs a gas engine. OR a diesel engine to run the on board generator. But these are all improvements they can easily do in the future. The volt is a GREAT start. It's not the ultimate solution, but it's a very good start.
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Prodaddy
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Houston
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:42:33 AM
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Lets see how it does
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wizzard1222
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St. Louis
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:38:46 AM
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2nd time to open the barn door! (Congress)
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hank1326
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Los Angeles
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:37:12 AM
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Good start, let's get the vehicle on the production line.
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Dr Gas
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Twin Cities
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:35:34 AM
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91Acclaim - excellent post.
But there are poelple who will by, because most consumers are that stupid.
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PizzaMon
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Philadelphia
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:35:16 AM
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I really like the idea of electric cars. Not sure yet whether this is the one for me.
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kingdick
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Minnesota
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:35:06 AM
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-----------------------------------
I like the Idea of an Electic Car.
But right now there are places in the USA that do not have enough generating capacity with standard electric plants.
They have to use diesel powered genarators to meet the current demand.
If we add all these plugin electric cars our electric power costs will go UP UP !!
Maybe to hurt us as bad as Crude prices.
-----------------------------------
Do what I did, Build your own, the batteries with enough energy for about 65 miles at 55 MPH only cost between $4000 and $6000.
-----------------------------------
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Zygnatz
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British Columbia
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:34:42 AM
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They wont get on my list until they take advantage of the benefits of diesel.
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Dr Gas
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Twin Cities
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:33:29 AM
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Egor Egor. That's is the problem.
It's not a great car. It's not solving anything.
It still is based on gasoline power for most of the driving.
I wouldn't buy one of those NEV for over $10,000.
What a waste. Give me a golf cart for under $2000 and I might think about it. If I drive, I need to go over 40mph and my commute is 30 miles one way, None for me thanks.
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Lasing
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Colorado Springs
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:33:07 AM
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jat60, your info is incorrect. The gas engine doen not move the car in any way. It doesn't have to be large because it's sole purpose is to re-charge the bateries. Electricity is the only thing that moves the car. This is a good move on GM's part because it makes it very easy to replace the gas engine with any other fuel source generator of your choosing. For now, gas is the best choice because you can get it anywhere. The infrastructure is already in place.
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jat60
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California
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:32:35 AM
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Kthyme, I'm all for free speech, and would NEVER suggest that anyone's be restricted! People are free to voice their opinions (and that's just what both you and I did, if you think about it).
But that wasn't my point. My point is that a lot of people are quick to voice their opinions, when those opinions are based on misconceptions. In the process, they help spread those misconceptions. That's doubly unfortunate. Especially when you consider that they're commenting on facts that have been presented to them, and that they've chosen to ignore.
And in case you didn't read back that far, this point was made in response to another person wondering why so many people were making negative comments about Volt, which didn't seem to line up with the facts.
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91Acclaim
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Maryland
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:30:24 AM
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Let's see, $20,000 extra for an ultra efficient car.
At $2.00 a gallon more than we're paying now, that's 1,000 gallons.
At 100 mpg, that's 100,000 miles.
So, to break even on gas savings, as a commuter car going 10,000 miles per year, you must drive it 10 years. And that doesn't consider replacement cost of the battery, which likely would last 3 to 5 years.
What a frivolous development.
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Dr Gas
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Twin Cities
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:29:12 AM
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This car is a joke.
$40,000 and it can only go 40 miles on battery charge?
Tesla can go many more miles, or course I couldn't afford that one either.
I real revolutionary car would go up to 100 mile on a charge and cost under $30,000.
Sorry I hope this one flops bad!!!
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chas_commuter
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South Carolina
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:29:11 AM
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Good news, now let's see if GM can stay in business until 2011
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Netscaper113
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New York City
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:26:58 AM
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good
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Lasing
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Colorado Springs
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:26:36 AM
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The Tesla cost $100,000 and can only go 244 miles before needing to stop for minimum of 3.5 hours to recharge.
The Volt cost $40,000 and can easily go cross country only stopping once every 400 miles or so for about 5 minutes to get a couple gallons of regular gas.
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wittenlover
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Detroit
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:26:09 AM
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OK... I'll give GM props for getting it out there, but I don't like the final design. I may be in the minority on this, but I much preferred the concept version. I would have killed to get behind the wheel of the concept, not so with the production version.
I understand they had to minimize aerodynamic issues to maximize range but, in so doing, they killed the edgy feel it had that I loved. It now looks like GM's version of a Prius instead of the sporty-looking car they teased us with...
All that aside, I hope it does well for GM - they really need a solid hit with this one.
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jat60
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California
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:24:38 AM
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chemist74:
> What is the MPG when the batteries are exhausted and it is being powered by the fuel burning engine? Current suggestions in the press of 100 mpg are ridiculous.
Yes, 100 MPG is BS. That seems like a conspiracy between the EPA and automakers to come up with inflated "miles per gallon" numbers based on miles per gallon-plus-batteries; not exactly fair accounting. Sounds more like marketing spin than realistic reporting to me.
Anyway, I think I remember earlier press reports saying that Volt's gasoline-only MPG was expected to be in the 50-60 MPG range. (So with the production model, that's probably somewhat overestimated, as these things go.) And it sounds like Volt is more like a series hybrid, where the gasoline engine can run to power the car and/or charge the batteries, but does not directly drive the wheels. So the gasoline engine can power the car, and it can charge the battery even when you're not driving, if you so desire.
Anyway, that's what I recall from earlier accounts. Production details may vary. ;)
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Matts_Pap
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Pennsylvania
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:24:32 AM
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Note to GM: Don't forget about reliability.
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FawltyPawl
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North Carolina
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:24:11 AM
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I'm still skeptical of the stats. Will it hold up for the long run? What about maintenance costs? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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spunky4443
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Washington
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:24:04 AM
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Well its not out yet, I'll hold my opinion until then.
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EZExit
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Phoenix
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:20:01 AM
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This car uses the same technology for the batteries as my lap top computer, I hope they figured out how to make the batteries last more than a year, and that those are priced reasonably (my laptop batteries are $200 to replace, I'll bet the car has a lot more)
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Lasing
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Colorado Springs
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:19:48 AM
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GM’s Volt certified at 100 mpg
Chevy Volt and the Electric Grid: Drive 15,000 Miles for $73
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SeerLV
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Las Vegas
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:19:41 AM
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We need more of these type of vehicle.
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valeriehire
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San Bernardino
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:18:45 AM
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I have a 35 mile one-way commute to work... My relatives are about 70 miles away.... I'd rather spend $30,000 on a Prius and not have to worry about charging.
What's the MPG once the Volt is on the gas engine?
[Edited by: valeriehire at 10/1/2008 10:21:06 AM EST]
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Lizzylou
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Stockton
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:18:24 AM
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Hopefully this will help pull GM out of the whole!
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Kthyme
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Fort Worth
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:17:44 AM
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We still live in America jat60...it's called FREE SPEECH!!!
And everyone is entitled to there opinion!!!
;)
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tomok
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Portland
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:17:15 AM
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finally GM has an electric (hybrid) vehicle
need more on the market so there are more choices from the auto manufactures...
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Lasing
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Colorado Springs
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:17:02 AM
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GM unveils Chevy Volt
"The car will cost "less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee" to recharge, and use less electricity annually than a refrigerator, according to GM. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity, GM said, compared with 12 cents a mile on gasoline at a price of $3.60 a gallon.As the battery begins to run down as the car is in use, a small gasoline engine will turn on and generate enough electricity to drive the car"
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MajorSteve
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Oklahoma City
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:16:53 AM
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for some consumers, it will be a great deal. One needs to factor in the cost of charging it and replacing the batteries when they wear out to see if it is cost effective. The govt should weigh in big to get American cars back in the forefront of the American car market.
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jat60
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California
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:14:37 AM
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Well said, Egor. Unfortunately there seem to be a lot of people who post comments without reading the article. It seems that a lot of people want to share their preconceived opinions, without knowing even the basic facts.
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tbybee
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Omaha
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:14:04 AM
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This may not be the end-all but it's nice to see the domestic car-makers developing new technologies.
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357revo
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Pittsburgh
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:12:33 AM
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That's a pricey car for 40 miles on electric charge only. Should be OK as a dedicated commuter car... if you want to spend $40,000! to run back and forth to the train station or commuter park 'n ride each day.
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domer2
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Gary
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:11:14 AM
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overpriced.
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chemist74
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Cleveland
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:09:21 AM
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It is 40 miles on batteries, not 60 miles.
There are a lot of details to be settled before we will know if the Volt is a sucess.
1. Purchase price - It is not clear what crdits, if any, the government would offer on the Volt. For the first few years, the Volt may need subsidies from both the government and GM to get the price low enough to convince the public to buy it in significant numbers because of GM's reputation for poor quality.
2. Battery warranty - Will GM guarantee the battery for 10 years like Toyota?
3. Hard data on performance - Does it get 40 miles on batteries during the winter and on freeways at 65 mph or is the 40 miles for optimum conditions? What is the MPG when the batteries are exhausted and it is being powered by the fuel burning engine? Current suggestions in the press of 100 mpg are ridiculous.
If they do it right, the Volt could really help GM's image but it will take much longer to improve GM's bottom line.
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amacquarrie
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Nevada
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Message Posted:
10/1/2008 9:09:15 AM
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$40,000 is way too high
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