volt
Latest
Universal Audio Volt review: Pro audio power at bedroom producer prices
UA's first foray into budget audio interfaces is largely a success thanks to its unique 76 Compressor.
Universal Audio's latest interfaces offer vintage preamp sound on the cheap
Universal Audio just announced a line of affordable audio interfaces that emulate its classic vintage UA 610 preamp sounds.
The Senate is considering extending EV tax credits
As US senate majority leader Mitch McConnell debates making cuts to social security and medicare, Senator Dean Heller (R) of Nevada is hoping to keep electric car sales zipping forward with a new bill that would extend tax credits until 2022.
Steadicam Volt's cinematic smartphone stabilizer is a little fiddly
Steadicam is the company behind iconic tracking shots in films like Rocky and Return of the Jedi, so when parent Tiffen launched a smartphone stabilizer bearing its name at CES 2017, there was a ton of interest. The $195 Steadicam Volt nabbed more than $1 million on Kickstarter and is now on sale at stores. It works very well and can produce natural-looking, cinematic shots, but don't expect it to do that out of the box. It takes a fair amount of time to set it up, and even longer to master.
Steadicam comes to smartphones with the gyro-stabilized Volt
Steadicam changed the film industry with unrestricted tracking shots in films like Rocky and The Shining, and now, it's going after smartphone users. Parent company Tiffen has unveiled the Steadicam Volt, a handheld gimbal up for grabs on Kickstarter for $139. Unlike models you may know like DJI's $299 Osmo, the Volt (built in collaboration with drone-maker Yuneec) is not an entirely electronic affair. Rather, it uses a combination of Steadicam's traditional balance-type gimbal and motorization to give you a smooth tracking shot with more control over tilts, pans and other moves.
The first Chevy Bolt EV you see might be your Lyft ride
Shortly before General Motors scooped up the pieces of failed Uber competitor Sidecar back in January, they invested $500 million in Lyft for a partnership to create a self-driving vehicle network. In August, news broke that the car giant made an offer to buy the ride-sharing company, but was rebuffed. Their intertwined saga continues today, as they announced that Lyft drivers would be among the first to get Chevy's Bolt electric vehicles.
The Chevy Volt is a fun hybrid that tiptoes into the future
I have to drive 40 miles and the 2016 Chevy Volt says I only have about 23 miles of charge left in the battery. No biggie: I have three quarters of a tank of gas. I hit the accelerator and the car's two electric motors push me onto the highway. Plug-in hybrids like the Volt are nothing new. But what makes this stand out from other EV/petroleum vehicles is that it doesn't look different from the rest of the cars on the road.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: The new Prius and a two-legged puppy
2016 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for green transportation. This week Honda announced plans to launch its Clarity Fuel Cell car next year in the US, while Gogoro is getting ready to roll out its battery-swapping Smartscooters in Europe. Chevrolet scored a grand slam as the 2016 Volt won the Green Car of the Year award, and we jumped behind the wheel of the completely redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius to give you the scoop. We also showcased two wild pedal-powered vehicles: a folding bike that weighs less than a watermelon and the world's longest bicycle, which stretches an absurd 117 feet.
GM and LG are working together on the Chevy Bolt electric car
In an unexpected, but interesting partnership, General Motors and LG today revealed they're working together on the development of the Chevy Bolt. This electric vehicle, which will reportedly launch in 2017 for $30,000, is expected to last over 200 miles on a single charge -- a lot more than the 2016 Volt hybrid. GM says LG's expertise in battery technology was a key factor to deem it a worthy associate, having previously worked with the South Korean company on the original Chevy Volt. As a result, LG is going to provide a number of components for the upcoming Bolt, including the onboard charger, battery cells and pack, battery heater and infotainment system.
Chevy still has 6,000 unsold last-gen Volt hybrids
The 2016 Chevy Volt promises to be a much better hybrid than its predecessor, with a lower price and better performance... and unfortunately for GM, that improvement might be hurting sales of the outgoing model. The Detroit Free Press reports that there were roughly 6,000 unsold 2015 Volts as of April, or more than twice the 2,779 that sold in the first four months of the year. Sales are down 46 percent versus the same period a year ago, and dealers appear willing to make some serious concessions to clinch a deal. While the 2015 Volt officially carries a $34,345 sticker price before tax credits, the TrueCar price guide shows that buyers are typically paying $30,607 -- quite the discount if you're looking for an extra-efficient ride.
Chevy's 2016 Volt costs just $25,000 if you live in California
Chevy's Volt hybrid was once considered pricey even after government tax credits, but the 2016 model may well be within your reach... if you live in the right state, at least. The automaker has revealed that its latest eco-friendly sedan will cost $33,995 at full price (down $1,200 from last year), but it'll drop to a more palpable $26,495 if you qualify for a full federal tax credit. And if you live in California, it'll sit just under the magic $25,000 mark -- not bad for a full-size car that can stay on electric power during a typical commute. You can certainly find cheaper hybrids if you look around, but this is a testament to how quickly Chevy's once-exotic technology has become accessible.
Chevy's 2016 Volt goes farther, faster than its predecessor
On the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet is finally ready to reveal details about the second generation of its groundbreaking plug-in hybrid vehicle. The 2016 Volt is new in pretty much every way, with a refined exterior and interior design, plus improvements under the hood that offer 50 miles of EV range and a total driving range of more than 400 miles. GM claims that means owners can average 1,000 miles between fill-ups with regular charging. The dual-motor drive unit isn't just more efficient; it's also 100 pounds lighter (the battery dropped 20 pounds too). Despite putting out 149 hp (same as the previous unit), it's also faster, with an 8.4-second 0-60 time that's 7 percent faster, and a 19 percent improvement in its zero to 30 time, now down to 2.6 seconds. As promised, it even adjusts charging patterns if you're at home or away based on GPS. The only question not answered yet is the price, which GM expects to reveal this summer (or any details about that rumored lower-price Bolt). Check after the break for some specs.
Take a look at the new Chevy Volt
GM won't officially introduce the new Chevy Volt until next week at the Detroit Auto Show, but tonight at CES we (briefly) got an uncovered peek at the new hybrid EV. It's still a sharp-edged sedan, but the black Volt on stage at tonight's event looked like a welcome redesign compared to the outgoing version. Unfortunately we didn't get any new details on the specs or rumored lower price, so for now you can just do what we did and see it, however briefly.
Chevy previews next-gen Volt with location-based charging system
We'll be seeing the next-generation Chevy Volt in less than two months when GM launches it at the North American International Auto Show in January. But, for the sake of those who can't wait, the company has shown off a bit more of the 2016 hybrid model at an event in Los Angeles. While the first photo that came out in August only displayed the vehicle's logo, this series of images (there are more after the break) shows almost the whole front end with its redesigned silver grille and angular headlights. We still don't know if it's going to be significantly cheaper than its predecessor, but General Motors has at least revealed that the car will boast GPS location-based charging.
Samsung is reportedly returning to mobile video with a new service
Samsung may have ditched its Video Hub last year to stay in Google's good graces and avoid competing with Play Movies, but it apparently hasn't given up on the concept of its own media portal. Tipsters for The Information claim that the company is spending "several tens of millions" of dollars on short-form video for a new service, codenamed "Volt." While the details are still being hashed out, the ultimate plan is to charge a "few dollars" per month for media, and original video would likely play an important role.
Chevy is unveiling its next-generation Volt hybrid in January
Wondering when you'll get to see that fabled (and arguably overdue) Chevy Volt redesign? Five months from now, according to GM. The automaker has confirmed that it will unveil the next version of its extended-range EV (aka serial hybrid) at the North American International Auto Show, which kicks off on January 12th. The company isn't giving curious motorists more than a teaser picture of the car's backside at this stage, but leaks and spy photos suggest that the new Volt will be cheaper and sleeker than its predecessors -- likely necessary given that the Chevy hasn't been as popular as some of its rivals. The revamp will be part of the 2016 model year, so it's safe to say that you'll get to take the wheel within months of the unveiling.
GM reportedly working on a lower-cost Chevy Volt
When it comes to electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt is as mainstream a brand as it gets. But despite GM's efforts to make the Volt a top choice among EV buyers, demand for it hasn't been what the company expected since it began production in 2010. To turn this situation around, General Motors is said to be planning the release of a more affordable model of its Chevrolet Volt. According to a recent report from Reuters, the automaker has only sold 58,158 Volts to date, which is a staggering number when you consider that the Nissan Leaf has more than 80,000 total sales and counting.
Bloomberg: General Motors to add wireless chargers on some 2014 car models
Smartphone wireless chargers are easier to find than ever, but built-in inductive systems for cars? Those we don't see often. According to Bloomberg, General Motors will incorporate wireless charging systems for phones on some of its 2014 car models, joining the ranks of Toyota and Chrysler. Unlike the chargers aboard the 2013 Avalon and the Dodge Dart, however, GM's cars will (officially) be the first ones to use Powermat. When the carmaker first announced a $5 million stake in Powermat in 2011, it said the Volt will be the first to offer the wireless charging perk. A two-year delay might have changed GM's plans -- it originally wanted to launch an in-car system in 2012 -- but we won't know for sure until the company releases official details.
2014 Chevy Volt to be priced at $34,995
While the price of a Model S may have increased ever-so-slightly, EVs for the rest of us are starting to become reasonable propositions. GM, for instance, has announced that next year's Chevy Volt will be listed at $34,995, knocking $5,000 from the current list price. Of course, you'll still have to pay an $810 handling fee on top of that, but federal and state incentives could cut the cost down to $27,495 -- which might make you think twice about that i3.
Bosch offers $3,000 wireless chargers to Leaf and Volt owners
Bosch recently released an $450 charging solution for EVs, but if you want to go wireless, it's going to cost you a lot more. The company has formed an exclusive partnership with Evatran for the distribution and installation of its wireless chargers for the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. Each Plugless Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging System (now that's a tongue-twister) costs $2,998 for the Volt and $3,098 for the Leaf, not including taxes and installation fees. It's comprised of a wall-mounted control panel that provides electricity to the parking pad, which transmits power to your vehicle. You've got to admit it's convenient when all you have to do to juice up is park on top of the pad, but would you actually shell out that much cash in the name of convenience when plugging a (cheaper) charger in is no Herculean task?
