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The Engadget interview: OnStar's Nick Pudar talks smart grids at CTIA 2012 (video)

Myriam Joire — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:07:00 EST

While visiting the Innovation Showcase at CTIA 2012, we ran into Nick Pudar -- OnStar's VP of Business Development -- who was kind enough to give us a few minutes of his time. We sat in the LTE Skype-enabled Chevy Volt on display and discussed such topics as OnStar FMV, RelayRides and smart grids -- wherein power utilities can (with the customer's consent) send a signal to a vehicle to control when it charges. The idea is to allows utilities to maximize grid efficiency and minimize power spikes while giving customers options for when to charge the vehicle -- like when the rates are the lowest or when the power generated is coming from renewable energy, for example. Pretty neat stuff, eh? Watch our video interview for all the (pardon the pun) juicy details.

The Engadget interview: OnStar's Nick Pudar talks smart grids at CTIA 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 May 2012 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet replacing 120-volt power cords on most Volt automobiles

Darren Murph — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:43:00 EST

If you're one of the 10,000 or so folks who pay insurance on a Chevrolet Volt, you may have a new cable coming your way. According to The Detroit News and Yahoo! Autos, General Motors will soon be sending out replacement 120-volt charging cords for Volt automobiles, which are said to "offer some more consistency in charging," while also making it more durable. We're told that some of the newfangled chargers have shipped with recent Volts, but the majority of customers were sent home with the older model. Of note, GM won't be swapping out any of those optional 240-volt cords, and the company won't consider this a recall or safety issue. As for getting your replacement? Owners are slated to be notified directly in the "next few weeks."

Chevrolet replacing 120-volt power cords on most Volt automobiles originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt safe from fire hazard after all, says government

Peter Cohen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:03:00 EST

The Chevy Volt isn't prone to catching fire after all, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The all-electric car came under scrutiny last year after one caught fire following a side-impact crash test. GM offered a buyback program for Volt owners concerned their cars might suddenly immolate, then the company made "enhancements" to the Volt's battery coolant system. That set things right, as far as the NHTSA is concerned: it says "no discernable defect trend exists" in the Volt, and that GM's revisions "reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts." Chevy dropped the Volt's price by $1,000 for 2012, too. So what do you think? Is a $39,000 starting price and less of a chance of burning to death enough to make you go electric?

Chevy Volt safe from fire hazard after all, says government originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM considers new battery for Volt, offers to buy back hybrids from pyrophobic customers

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:51:00 EST

Still freaked out about that whole Volt catching fire thing? Well, GM wants you to know it's taking your concerns very seriously. The company is considering a redesign of the battery in the hybrid, possibly delaying the release of the Opel-branded version in Europe. What's more, for those not satisfied with being able to pick up a loaner, the company will buy the vehicle back from you. That is if you're too much of a pansy to keep your combustible car.

GM considers new battery for Volt, offers to buy back hybrids from pyrophobic customers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy drops Volt base price by $1,000 for 2012, makes saving the world slightly more affordable

Brian Heater — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:04:00 EST

Chevy wants to know what it can do to get you into one of its plug-in hybrids today. A $1,000 price drop? You got it. The carmaker announced this week that the 2012 Volt base price will come in a grand lower than its predecessor, thanks to the sorts of additional configurations that come with increased availability. The 2011 version was available in seven states and the District of Columbia and came in three configurations -- 2012's Volt is available nationwide in seven different packages, ranging from $39,995 to $46,265. And keep in mind that those prices don't factor in potential tax credits. The latest version of the plug-in vehicle is available now for order and offers up features like MyLink media streaming, OnStar driving directions, and passive locking (though the new base model does strip away a couple of features found in its predecessor). Also there's the whole lessening your dependence on gasoline, if you're into that sort of thing.

Continue reading Chevy drops Volt base price by $1,000 for 2012, makes saving the world slightly more affordable

Chevy drops Volt base price by $1,000 for 2012, makes saving the world slightly more affordable originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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408 Chevrolet Volts and Nissan Leafs sold in US during January, limited supply probably to blame

Vlad Savov — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:10:00 EST

The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are alike in a lot of ways: both rely on electric motors for their locomotion, both have earned Car of the Year awards (Volt in North America, Leaf in Europe), and both have had stunningly low sales in their first couple of months on sale. January's numbers have just come out and the Volt leads the way with 321 vehicles sold or leased, while Nissan scores an even weaker 87 purchases. That compares to figures of 326 and 19, respectively, for the month of December. Before we all start writing off the EV as DOA (again), let's remember that both companies have massive back-orders for their electrified people carriers, leading us to believe that the most likely cause for this slow trickle of deliveries is a limited supply rather than dwindling demand. Production volumes of the Volt and Leaf are expected to ramp up as we go forward, so panic's inadvisable -- unless we come around to January 2012 and are still looking at fewer sales than the Joojoo managed.

408 Chevrolet Volts and Nissan Leafs sold in US during January, limited supply probably to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy explains why two MPG numbers are better than one

Michael Gorman — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:11:00 EST

So, are you confused about the presence of two MPG numbers on your newly delivered Volt? Fear not, the folks at GM are doing their best to educate the huddled masses about the Volt's industry-leading fuel economy, and just how the EPA arrived at the car's previously released 93MPG (electric equivalent) and 37MPG (straight gas, homey) ratings. No word on plans for a film explaining where the missing 137MPG went. Check the video after the break.

Continue reading Chevy explains why two MPG numbers are better than one

Chevy explains why two MPG numbers are better than one originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six

Tim Stevens — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:08:00 EST

Buy an electric vehicle in the US, like the Nissan Leaf, and you can expect to get a nice boost to your tax refund: a $7,500 federal subsidy. Now the UK is getting in on the cash back game, with a ~~programme~~ program starting on January 1st to offer a 25 percent discount on EVs purchased -- up to a maximum of £5,000. Nine cars have been declared eligible for this decidedly choice bonus:

Sure, the first three and the last two cars are effectively the same models, just with different bits of chrome stuck on the front, but a little badge engineering never hurt anybody.

British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hertz plug-in rental program to boast 1,000 vehicles, including the Tesla Roadster

Laura June — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:13:00 EST

Hertz is getting serious about its about-to-launch, by-the-hour plug in car rental service Connect by Hertz. Set to launch on December 15th in New York City, the company has plans to extend the service into San Francisco, Washington D.C, Texas and London by the end of 2011. The list of cars in the fleet which will be available to rent now includes the previously announced Nissan Leaf, the Volt, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Tesla Roadster, the Smart ED, and the Coda Sedan. The program will start extremely small, with only 20 total vehicles available to rent to begin with, but with a plan for between 500 and 1,000 by the end of 2011. The Hertz EV rental program has a fee to join up, and the cars will be rented on a first come, first served basis, but you can sign up now if you're ready to get behind the wheel of one of the aforementioned silent bad boys.

Hertz plug-in rental program to boast 1,000 vehicles, including the Tesla Roadster originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video)

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:50:00 EST

It took half a score to actually get real, but did you know that it takes but two minutes to construct a 2011 Chevrolet Volt? Okay, we lied -- one minute, fifty-five seconds. Hit play below to enter what Kenny Loggins would describe as "The Danger Zone."

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video)

2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors upping Chevy Volt production by 50 percent in 2011

Laura June — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:03:00 EST

On Friday, during a visit from President Obama to its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, GM announced some good news for all the Volt fans out there. Production from 2011 to 2012 for the electric vehicle -- originally slated at around 30,000 units -- has been boosted to a projected 45,000 units, a 50 percent increase. The Volt, which has a range of 340 miles (on gas -- it goes approximately 40 miles on battery alone) is being produced at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which received $336 million in investments to prepare for the production. The full press release is after the break.

Continue reading General Motors upping Chevy Volt production by 50 percent in 2011

General Motors upping Chevy Volt production by 50 percent in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt officially priced at $41,000, $350/month on a three-year lease

Donald Melanson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:03:00 EST

It may not exactly be a huge surprise at this point, but GM has finally revealed that the official base price for its Chevrolet Volt will be $41,000 (including a $720 destination charge). That price is before the $7,500 federal tax credit, however, which will bring your eventual end cost down to a slightly more reasonable $33,500. Those looking to get on the road for even less up-front can also opt for a three-year lease, which will run you $350 a month after a $2,500 down payment. As Autoblog notes, you'll also have an option to purchase the car at the end of the lease, so GM won't be repeating its infamous EV1 scenario. Still too much for you? Then you might just want to wait a bit -- GM says it will also be offering the Volt with less features and a lower price point "within a year or two."

Chevy Volt officially priced at $41,000, $350/month on a three-year lease originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coulomb partners with Ford, Chevy, Smart to deliver 4,600 free EV charging stations in US

Sean Hollister — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:25:00 EST

Looks like Australia and Poland were just the beginning: Coulomb Technologies is looking to roll out nearly 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the US, effective immediately. If one of those cherry-red push pins is pointed at your neighborhood, you'll likely see the stations popping up at local businesses soon, and if you're looking to purchase a Chevy Volt, Tesla-powered Smart or one of Ford's two new EVs, you can even qualify to have a free station installed in your home. Partially paid for by a $15 million grant from the Department of Energy, the ChargePoint America program won't necessarily give you free electricity to go with it -- that "charge" in ChargePoint has a double meaning, after all -- but we're happy to see the zero-emissions future is finally on a roll. PR after the break.

Continue reading Coulomb partners with Ford, Chevy, Smart to deliver 4,600 free EV charging stations in US

Coulomb partners with Ford, Chevy, Smart to deliver 4,600 free EV charging stations in US originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google partnership has GM OnStar exploring Maps, open APIs and more

Sean Hollister — Wed, 19 May 2010 12:44:00 EST

In a move that could shape the mobile landscape -- or simply suck down cash, of course -- General Motors just revealed that Google was its mysterious infotainment partner. In the final hours before Google I/O, we sat down with GM VP Nick Pudar to tell us what the future thus holds for OnStar. As we saw in January, GM's already developing smartphone apps for the Chevy Volt on iPhone, Blackberry and Android that will let you remotely lock doors, honk the horn, check tire pressure and more.... But sometime after the Volt launches, Google Maps Navigation will be integrated into the smartphone app, and we got a hands-on tour. Check out the new interface and hear about GM's strategy after the break.

Continue reading Google partnership has GM OnStar exploring Maps, open APIs and more

Google partnership has GM OnStar exploring Maps, open APIs and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:16:00 EST

Google I/O's shaping up to be a hell of an event this year. We just received word that OnStar will give a sneak peek at new functionalities it's developing for its version 2.0 Chevy Volt app with the help of Google. A major new addition -- to be demonstrated on Android, of course -- will be a navigation tab on the app's home screen that can identify your position relative to your Volt's location in Google Maps. Something that should prove handy in tracking down your car in the airport parking lot. Owners can then use their smartphone to enter their destination before even entering the vehicle. When it's time to drive, your Volt will already be setup and ready to guide you to the spot using OnStar's turn-by-turn navigation. Alternatively, users can follow the voice guidance provided by Google Maps Navigation if they prefer. Unfortunately, these 2.0 addition won't be in the app at launch this fall. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google

OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors partners with mystery organization to bolster OnStar technology

Sean Hollister — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:11:00 EST

Thought the Chevy Volt's OnStar apps were impressive? You may not have to buy a Volt to get them. General Motors says it would like to extend such infotainment beyond its flagship plug-in hybrid, and has partnered with a undisclosed tech firm to help make it happen. Speaking to CNN Money, OnStar president Chris Pruess teases that we could see some of Volt's features -- remote locking, charging and perhaps air conditioning options -- on other OnStar automobiles, or even other ventures (the exec says they're looking "beyond automotive") the auto manufacturer might decide on. The big question, of course, is whether this mysterious partner might restrict smartphone functionality to a particular handset or carrier -- after all, when we think of cell phone manufacturers who've both worked with GM and recently acquired automotive assets, one in particular comes to mind.

[Thanks, Jub]

General Motors partners with mystery organization to bolster OnStar technology originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt passes key production milestone, US government buying first 100?

Donald Melanson — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:38:00 EST

The Chevy Volt has already passed quite a few significant milestones on the long road to production, and it's now crossed another big hurdle, with the first pre-production vehicles rolling off the line at the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant. Those won't actually be sold, of course, but they are necessary to ensure that all the points in the production line are up to standards before the retail models go into production later this year. That's not only Volt news of the day, however, as the Obama administration has also announced plans to buy "the first 100 plug-in electric vehicles to roll off American assembly lines" next year, which would seem to leave the Volt as the only option. It seems that's not quite a done deal just yet though, with GM saying that while it's "pleased to see that the Federal government is interested in the greening of their vehicle fleet," it currently has "no further details regarding these purchases."

Chevy Volt passes key production milestone, US government buying first 100? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Chevrolet Volt battery rolls off the assembly line, wonders where its home is (video)

Tim Stevens — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:57:00 EST

Itching to get your hands on the wheel and feet on the pedals of a Chevy Volt? You still have some time to wait -- but things are getting closer to reality at least. The car was introduced three full years ago, amazingly, and we're still about a year away from the things rolling off the production line en masse. The batteries, though, those are in production. The first line-produced cell rolled off the line in the repetitively named Brownstown Township, MI. Well, the first official battery, as surely the units in the 80-odd test Volts had to come from somewhere. In the coming months before the Volt itself hits production, cells from this line will be put through their paces, both on test benches and in those early, hand-built vehicles. Eventually, production-line batteries will be mated with production-line Volts, birds will sing, squirrels will dance, and rainbows will fly. Until then, we'll keep playing with the demo OnStar app.

Continue reading First Chevrolet Volt battery rolls off the assembly line, wonders where its home is (video)

First Chevrolet Volt battery rolls off the assembly line, wonders where its home is (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt gets its own song and dance, humanity weeps aloud

Darren Murph — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:22:00 EST

And you honestly thought you'd see a decent return-on-investment from bailing these guys out.

Continue reading Chevy Volt gets its own song and dance, humanity weeps aloud

Chevy Volt gets its own song and dance, humanity weeps aloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt to get iPhone, BlackBerry apps

Donald Melanson — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST

They may not let you actually drive the car James Bond-style, but it looks like there will be some apps for the iPhone and BlackBerry launching alongside the Chevy Volt, with apps for other devices apparently also a possibility. That word comes from Chevrolet's soon-to-be-retiring VP Brent Dewar, who unfortunately had little to say about the apps themselves, but did briefly flash the above slide during a presentation at the LA Auto Show last week. The apps will apparently let you control when the car charges, however, and even include integrated real-time features from OnStar, which should include things like electricity rates from utility companies by the time the Volt rolls out.

[Thanks, Dave]

Chevy Volt to get iPhone, BlackBerry apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt gets taken for a test drive

Laura June — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST

The Chevy Volt is one vehicle we can really get behind. It's hard not to be a little excited over it -- we have, after all, been watching its development for quite a long time now. The electric car gets an impressive 230 miles per gallon in the city (and, all shaky rating practices aside, that's nothing to scoff at). Autoblog Green's just taken one of Chevy's 80 IVER pre-production prototypes for a little spin, and they seem to have come away pretty impressed with the car. They report that the brakes are better than most hybrid vehicles, and said that when the engine does kick in after the battery's depleted, they didn't even notice it until they stopped and heard it running quietly. It was a short spin, so they weren't able to gauge, for instance, whether the car can actually pull the full 40 miles per battery charge that Chevrolet claims it gets, but check out their full, detailed observations at the Source link.

2011 Chevrolet Volt gets taken for a test drive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt shows up at fast food joint, practices lines for LA Auto Show

Vlad Savov — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:44:00 EST

You might've seen the Volt make a guest appearance on the futuristic Surrogates movie already, but now Chevy's taking the opposite approach by looking toward the past to promote its PHEV. Bob's Big Boy fast food restaurant in California got treated to a surprise visit by a production model of that most bodacious Chevrolet, and as you can see above, it doesn't look horribly out of place seated in among its elders, a 1969 Camaro and an Impala SS. Joining in the weekly classic car meetup hosted by the restaurant, this appearance was a prelude to the production Volt being shown off at the LA Auto Show, which kicks off this coming Friday. So if you wanna see it, you can either attend the event or wait for the car to roll up at your nearest Wendy's.

Chevy Volt shows up at fast food joint, practices lines for LA Auto Show originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt gets driver-activated warning system for the blind

Donald Melanson — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:07:00 EST

Whether it's voluntary or enforced, it seems to be a safe bet that most electric vehicles will eventually break their silence in one way or another to warn nearby pedestrians -- especially the blind. Chevrolet looks to be taking a slightly different approach than most with the Volt, however, and it recently tested out its system with a group of visually-impaired folks at its Milford Proving Grounds. Rather than simply making the vehicle sound like a regular car, Chevy has implemented a driver-activated system that emits what's described as more of an "excuse me" sound than "hey you" sound whenever you want to warn people you're approaching. Of course, depending on the driver does have its limitations, and Chevy says that future iterations of the Volt are likely to incorporate a more active system that can automatically alert pedestrians. Check it out in action after the break.

Continue reading Chevrolet Volt gets driver-activated warning system for the blind

Chevrolet Volt gets driver-activated warning system for the blind originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan says its new electric car, the Leaf, gets 367 miles per gallon

Laura June — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:02:00 EST

Nissan's gotten into a bit of a bragging contest on Twitter -- possibly fueled by Chevrolet's recent, shaky claim that the Volt will get 230 miles per gallon. The company is now saying that its new electric car, the Leaf, will get an astonishing 367 miles per gallon... even though it's a 100 percent electric car, and runs on absolutely no fuel. So, isn't that zero miles per gallon? Well, yes and no: all these massive numbers are based on both the Department of Energy and the EPA's calculations for estimating equivalencies in electric cars. Why? Well, it seems that car companies are still giving us -- the prospective buying public -- MPG figures because they think that's what we understand best. Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for Chevy's Volt recently admitted to the New York Times that the miles per gallon matrix is "probably not the best measure of goodness" for a car that uses no gallons at all, but that it's "what people are accustomed to." We agree -- he's got a point -- but people were also accustomed to the hi-fi, the corded landline, and the steam engine. We assure you: people understand that a car that runs on zero gas (and therefore gets an astonishingly low amount of miles per gallon) is really, really awesome. So the MPG matrix is useless when talking about electric cars -- we'll adjust!

Read - Nissan claims 367 miles per gallon for electric Leaf
Read - The Chevy Volt: mileage numerology

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Nissan says its new electric car, the Leaf, gets 367 miles per gallon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt's first pre-production model now on the road, in testing

Ross Miller — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:38:00 EST

And with that, the first bona fide pre-production Chevy Volt -- its own parts and all -- has hit the pavement. General Motor's storied EV will be taken through the ropes to see what needs to be tweaked / modified before it finally goes into full production, which is expected to be at a rate of about ten a week as of mid-July -- and if you happen to live near Warren, Michigan, you might just spot one of these early models out on the road. Hard to believe Volt's defied more than a few odds, but so far, it looks promising. Good on ya, GM.

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Chevy Volt's first pre-production model now on the road, in testing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM says bankruptcy won't affect the Volt, but how much say does it have?

Darren Murph — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:11:00 EST

As General Motors finally caved this morning, waved the white flag and filed for bankruptcy, those following electric cars immediately wondered what this all would mean for the long-awaited Volt. For years now, GM has steadfastly affirmed that it was moving forward with production regardless of what else was going on within the company and the economy at large. According to Technology Review, a GM spokesperson confirmed again this morning that "the filing will have no impact on the company's plans to start selling the Volt at the end of next year." That said, we have to wonder how much such a statement really means; reports have stated that the US government may up holding as much as 60 percent of the company, and if the primary goal is to bring the outfit back to profitability as soon as possible, Obama and Company may not feel that pouring even more into the high-priced Volt is a good idea. In related news, we hear Tesla is still taking orders...

Update: GM has pushed out an official statement that (in a few words) also suggests that the Volt is still on track.

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GM says bankruptcy won't affect the Volt, but how much say does it have? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt coasts closer to reality, first bona fide model now in production

Ross Miller — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:39:00 EST

General Motors has just cut the ribbon, metaphorically at least, on the production of the first genuine Chevy Volt integration vehicle. Unlike previous versions, which have been "developments mules" made using parts from the Malibu / Cruze lines, this will look (and hopefully feel) 100 percent like what the company plans to start pimping out this November. The pre-production model will be put through the paces in case the design needs to be refined and tweaked before going full steam ahead. GM is sticking pretty close to its original plan of building at a rate of ten a week by mid-July, with "several hundred more" going into production early next year, and with any luck, it'll be packing some standardized EV plug by then.

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Chevy Volt coasts closer to reality, first bona fide model now in production originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 22:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Standardized EV plug could be adopted within months, says GM

Ross Miller — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:38:00 EST

Here's a more reassuring timeline for that proposed standardized plug for electric vehicles. The SAE J1772 Task Force-developed charging system, based on an initial design by supplier Yazaki, is now at Underwriters Labs for certification. That's scheduled to be done by the end of May and, if all things go according to plan, it can be adopted for use in the next few months. Speaking to Autoblog Green, General Motors' Gery Kissel listed his company, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Tesla among those participating or supporting the standard. He also said the we-swear-it's-coming-this-year Chevy Volt should be equipped with the new plug, and Tesla's reportedly pledged to adopt it for current plans and retrofit its older models. Things are starting to look up for the EV industry.

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Standardized EV plug could be adopted within months, says GM originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers agree on common plug to recharge electric vehicles

Darren Murph — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:24:00 EST

Just hours after General Motors put forth a proposal for a standardized plug for electric vehicles, in flies this. German energy firm RWE has stated that a cadre of respected automakers and energy firms have all come together in agreement on a three-point, 400-volt plug that will enable electric cars the world over to be recharged anywhere, regardless of which recharging station they stop at. Caroline Reichert, an RWE spokeswoman, noted that the idea here is to ensure that "a car can be recharged in Italy in exactly the same way as in Denmark, Germany or France." We're told that the agreement includes nods of acceptance from the likes of Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Fiat, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Eon, Vattenfall, EDF, Npower, Endesa and Enel, and while there's no time frame for when it'll be introduced, we're pretty stoked to hear that at least something has been decided upon.

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Automakers agree on common plug to recharge electric vehicles originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM proposes standardized plug for electric vehicles

Darren Murph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:11:00 EST

Say what you will about General Motors (okay, so maybe you should say it under your breath), but there's no denying the brilliance of this idea. On the company's FastLane blog, one Gery Kissel explains that engineers and suits will be meeting up next week to discuss the standardization of common components that will hopefully be installed in forthcoming electric vehicles. Notably, the SAE J1772 Task Force will be responsible for designing a plug that links each plug-in vehicle to an "ecosystem," ensuring that drivers can pull into any charging station from Key West to Neah Bay and see a socket that fits their ride. Specifically, the group is being charged with defining a "common electric vehicle conductive charging system architecture for all major automakers in North America," but it remains to be seen if said standard can be hammered out before the Volt's not-to-be-missed 2010 introduction.

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GM proposes standardized plug for electric vehicles originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First genuine Chevy Volt hits production on June 1st

Ross Miller — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST

You'd probably never know it from all the pictures, but the Chevy Volt hasn't actually been fully built before -- so far all we've seen are "development mules" constructed from the shell of the company's Cruze compact cars. That's all gonna change on June 1st, when General Motors says it's gonna start production on the first 100 percent genuine Volt. According to the unofficial blog GM-Volt, an average of ten cars will be made each week until a fleet of 80 have been complete. Of course, you're still not gonna get to drive one until at least 2010, so don't go looking for your favorite Gatsby cap just yet.

Read - Announcement (with glaring mistake)
Read - Corrections from GM exec Rob Peterson

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First genuine Chevy Volt hits production on June 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to mold San Fran and D.C. into early adopter markets for Chevy Volt

Ross Miller — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:03:00 EST

If General Motors has anything to say about it, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will be the first early adopter markets for its plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. The company is currently working with the local municipalities to flesh out the details. The goal is to make tax incentives for purchasing electric cars and build an infrastructure that'll support them. San Francisco is already part of the way there since they, along with San Jose and Oakland, have already endorsed Better Place's $1 billion plan to put electric grids in the Bay Area. Of course, GM's deeds aren't exactly selfless -- after all, more markets mean more potential Volt customers -- but if this is what it takes to foster an eerily silent rush hour, we're all for it.

[Via Yahoo!]

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GM to mold San Fran and D.C. into early adopter markets for Chevy Volt originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Chevy Volt finally really unveiled, for real

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:04:00 EST

The 2011 Chevy Volt has been officially unveiled this morning and we are pleased to note that the new pictures are much more flattering than the "glamour shots" released a week or so ago. The interior of the Volt features a driver-configurable LCD instrument display, 7-inch touch screen information display (for climate and "infotainment" control), Bluetooth, USB and optional GPS. Of course, what makes this vehicle noteworthy is the sheer plug-in-hybridness of it all: the car runs entirely off of its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. For trips up to 40 miles, the battery's initial charge will suffice (granted you remembered to plug it in overnight). After the battery is spent, the gasoline generator provides electricity to the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery for a range of "several hundred additional miles," according to GM. Hit the read links for far more info. and check out a drool-worthy interior photo and video walkthrough after the break.

Read - Autoblog, "Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Volt finally revealed!"
Read - Autoblog, "Walkthrough of 2011 Chevy Volt interior"

Continue reading GM's Chevy Volt finally really unveiled, for real

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GM's Chevy Volt finally really unveiled, for real originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Provoq is latest host for GM's E-Flex fuel cell powertrain

Paul Miller — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:17:00 EST

GM is planning a few of these E-Flex vehicles, and while the Chevrolet Volt is the current flagship, this one ain't no slouch in the looks department. Perhaps more importantly, the Cadillac Provoq crossover looks much closer to a ready-for-market car than your average concept. This edition of E-Flex uses a fuel-cell stack to power a 70-kilowatt motor for the front wheels and a pair of in-hub 30-kilowatt motors in the back. A pair of 10,000 psi hydrogen storage tanks and a lithium-ion battery should muster about a 300-mile range, with only about 20 of that coming from the battery. Still, you can charge the battery with plugs on both sides of the car, and that 20 miles might be just enough to complete your daily commute -- or perhaps fuel a desperate attempt to track down a hydrogen filling station. There's a solar panel on top to help power internal electronics, and the powertrain design allows for a good amount of storage and leg room. It's unclear at this time if GM's going to take Provoq to market, but we're certainly looking forward to one of these E-Flex dealios going all the way.

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Cadillac Provoq is latest host for GM's E-Flex fuel cell powertrain originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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