http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/ Engadget Comments for Engadget test drives the Chevy Volt (video) http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
I think they eat food too but I'm not sure, gotta double check on that.]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/engadget-shreds-on-the-zero-s-all-electric-motorcycle-with-video/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/09/engadget-cruises-with-the-brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle-wi/]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/No gentlemen(yes lady gaga) ... it's whats INSIDE the cars that they care about. We all know they don't eat or drive cars.....]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
I want to uprank this into oblivion... Too Cool!]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
And that is indeed Uncle Rico, looking really great.]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Now it would be awesome if it charged using a 110 V instead of a 220. Then you can drive for free because most public parking lots have plug-ins (in Canada anyway). I personally think technology should be going the other way and have gas powered ipods and cell phones ;)]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Give these out at the next Engadget show and I'll fly there from Canada. ]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 1:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
The Volt does allow for 110v charging. It takes 8 hours to fully charge it this way. If you plug in via 220v, it takes 3 hours to charge (Source: Chevy's Volt home page)]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Well the thing is as much a gadget as a car...]]>Mar 30th 2010 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
Droid and Chevy Volt.. Do more with your Droid !
http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/volt.do]]>Mar 30th 2010 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Cars are just big gadgets!
If they were actually transportation devices everyone would drive a honda fit lol ]]>Mar 30th 2010 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
Unless you were groping some woman in the car, you didn't get a "reasonably good feel". Sounds more like you got to experience what it's like to be a valet parking attendant, and then call it a hot news scoop.]]>Mar 30th 2010 4:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
"In a traditional hybrid powertrain, ala the Prius, the electric and gasoline motors are joined at the hip -- or, more specifically, at the transmission. Differentials and gearing handle the complex machinations allowing both motors to spin the wheels, either individually or together. While a Toyota engineer will say that's no big deal, as they've been doing it for years, it's one extra cog in the works adding friction and robbing efficiency."

Tim, you have to rethink this paragraph. From a technological standpoint it has some glaring errors and its wrong to assume that petrol motor -> generator -> batteries -> electric motor -> wheels is more efficient than petrol and/or electric motor -> wheels without providing figures.
In fact one would assume it may be the other way around.

Also 'machinations' is the wrong word. Try 'mechanics.']]>Mar 30th 2010 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
Regarding "machinations" that word was chosen intentionally in that context as it refers to an (overly) complex scheme, which I was describing, while also bringing to mind the word "mechanical." In this case the two engines are the co-conspirators. Writing is fun!]]>Mar 30th 2010 8:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/whats the actual mileage? ]]>Mar 30th 2010 9:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
With the sentance "... it's one extra cog in the works adding friction and robbing efficiency" you do seem to suggest that one is better than the other. It looks like you present it as fact rather than as someone's opinion or estimate.

As for 'machinination,' the word is closer to plot or evil scheme than anything to do with an engine...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/machinate



]]>Mar 31st 2010 4:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
I also think it is pretty clear that if you have 2 motors and 2 sets of gears hooked up to the wheels, you have extra drag, more gears=more surface area=more friction.]]>Mar 31st 2010 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
I completely agree with what you say about the petrol engine running in that way being more efficient than the normal way a petrol engine would run in a hybrid setup, what I have issue with is this whole 'more gears' thing. If the petrol engine is connected to a generator there are still gears and friction involved.

Remember that overall efficiency is the product of the efficiency at each stage.
In the case of the Volt you must consider the efficiency of the petrol engine convering chemical energy to mechanical, then the generator converting mechanical to electrical, then the batteries storing this electrical energy chemically (don't forget the internal resistance of a battery), and finally the electric motor converting the electrical energy from the battery to mechanical energy to turn the wheels (Don't take this for gospel, its just my interpretation).
This may be the better way to power a vehicle, it may not be.

All I'm saying is that I will not accept that this is more efficient than any other hybrid system without proper facts and figures. I don't think its pretty clear that one is better than the other purely because its stated in the article that a Prius has 'one extra cog in the works.'
I'd like a little more evidence please.
]]>Mar 31st 2010 10:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Would it break a record? Probably...

]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/This gonna be an Engadget Show piece? Would rather download to iTunes and watch on the way somewhere than steam, just sayin' ;)]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Or even, stream.]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Yeah, go ahead and ask the dumb questions like how I'm alive and stuff...]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Volts aren't deadly, amperage is.]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
You mean a million amps?
Volts doesn't measure current, it measures potential difference :P]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
Note to self: Be careful in using common usage statements in front of Engadget science community... or else you'll be corrected with million amps! ]]>Mar 30th 2010 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/obviously voltage doesnt kill. it's current that does!
so even if u had a million volts thru you at 0.000001 Amps of current, u'd be alive!]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
It's neither voltage nor current that kills, it is their product. Power=Voltage*Current. So you can have tens of amps going through your body at 0.002 volts or 10000 volts at 0.00001 amps. It's the Watts that are deadly, because Power is energy/time. The higher the power, the more energy deposited in your body :. More deadly]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/I disagree. I can hold my car battery terminals which has 600 cranking amps, but just 12 Volts. It calls Safe voltage (less then 40 ~50V) and Ohm's law.
But I don't recommend you to use spark plug cable as a peacemaker. (40000 + Volts ~ 0.02-0.06Amps)]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
Look at what you've started!

:D]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Please try it. Earth doesn't need stupid people.]]>Mar 30th 2010 1:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
My sincere apologies!
Didn't know the scientific community was so much alive & thriving & actively commenting here! I thought they had all gravitated to Switzerland and busy smashing god and anti-god particles!! :D]]>Mar 30th 2010 3:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
This whole thread looks like something that'd be on Reddit!]]>Mar 30th 2010 3:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/You are completely wrong. This is elementary school knowledge.
At least, where I am from.]]>Mar 31st 2010 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/even better where the comparisons and metaphors to gadgets and computers...]]>Mar 30th 2010 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/
They could have just started making the EV1 (call it the EV2?) again and sell it this time. It would be lighter weight, use better batteries, and not be anywhere near as expensive.

The problem is that there is +$10,000 in retirement, pension, health ins., and other costs before they can even start putting the parts of the car together.]]>Mar 30th 2010 6:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/engadget-test-drives-the-chevy-volt-video/Mar 30th 2010 12:25PM