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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.
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.
Chevy Volt EcoHub app tells drivers how little they pay to charge, goads them into staying green (video)
GM's OnStar team would really like us to stay on the electric side of the Chevy Volt's powertrain as much as possible. That's the selling point, after all. Rather than simply preach green driving and hope for the best, the division is testing a new EcoHub app that reminds Volt drivers just how miserly their plug-in hybrids can be. Qualifying owners who opt in or subscribe to OnStar have the Volt's energy usage costs compared to their home's total electricity bill, showing how much cheaper it can be to avoid the gas pump. There's more if money isn't enough of a motivator -- the app also builds in a counter that estimates how much gas Volt drivers are saving nationwide. The eco-friendly ego boost is currently limited to Android users participating in Pecan Street's smart grid project in Austin, but long-term plans have the app reaching iOS and all Volt fans eager to justify their ride.
Fisker lands former GM exec and Chevy Volt guru Tony Posawatz as CEO
Fisker hasn't had what you'd call the best year so far, but it may have found the ticket to turning its hybrid vehicle business around. Meet Tony Posawatz, Fisker's new CEO -- and, until just weeks ago, GM's Vehicle Line Director. Despite being the second new chief executive at Fisker since Tom LaSorda arrived in February, Posawatz needs little explanation for his sudden rise to power. He's an original member of the Chevy Volt leadership structure and could very well know a thing or two about developing a hybrid car from start to finish. His influence might only be keenly felt when the Atlantic wheels its way towards driveways in 2014, but there's no doubt he's onboard to right the good ship Karma and improve Fisker's reputation in the short term. We wouldn't want to be in GM's shoes as it watches one of its EV-friendly veterans so publicly jump ship, however.
OnStar seals partnership with RelayRides, makes renting out your car even easier (hands-on video)
Remember that partnership between OnStar and RelayRides we wrote about last March? Well it's finally coming to fruition today, with the peer-to-peer car sharing service launching support for remote door unlocking via OnStar's proprietary API. As a result, RelayRides members with OnStar-enabled vehicles no longer have to exchange keys in person if they so choose. Another benefit is that participants can list their automobile on RelayRides directly from their OnStar account -- renters then benefit from the added safety and security that comes with OnStar. We had the chance to test an early version of the functionality on a Chevy Volt at SXSW a few months ago and it worked pretty much as advertised. There was a bit of a delay between the time we sent the unlock command from RelayRides' website on the demo iPad and the moment the doors actually unlocked on the car, but we're told this has been significantly improved since our hands-on. Of course, RelayRides also supports remote unlocking via text message. Take a look at the galleries below then hit the break for our hands-on video, RelayRides' video and OnStar's PR.%Gallery-160469% %Gallery-160496%
2013 Chevy Volt stretches out the electric miles, works harder for the money
Every car gets a mid-life refresh to keep the customers flocking in, but a hybrid poses its own unique challenges: it has to give yet another reason to skip buying an (often cheaper) gas-only ride. Chevrolet's solution for the 2013 Volt is to keep drivers on electric power for longer. A slightly larger battery capacity with more real-world room lets the new Volt run for up to 38 miles (up from 37) solely on its electric motor, 98MPGe (up from 94) if you have to draw on the fuel tank and 380 miles of range before you're looking for a plug or a gas station. If gas looks to be the only option for a long drive, an EV Hold Mode borrowed from the Volt's Opel Ampera cousin will keep the electricity in reserve until you're closer to a charging location. Hypermilers have some entertainment through a new center stack that merges GPS, satellite radio and USB media playback into a seven-inch touchscreen unit. They likewise get a lane departure warning system as well as uniform roof and trunk colors -- that signature, two-tone Volt look is going away. We're still waiting to see if prices have changed, but you can get the current scoop after the jump.
The Engadget interview: OnStar's Nick Pudar talks smart grids at CTIA 2012 (video)
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.
Chevrolet replacing 120-volt power cords on most Volt automobiles
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."
Chevy Volt safe from fire hazard after all, says government
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?
GM considers new battery for Volt, offers to buy back hybrids from pyrophobic customers
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.
Chevy drops Volt base price by $1,000 for 2012, makes saving the world slightly more affordable
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.
408 Chevrolet Volts and Nissan Leafs sold in US during January, limited supply probably to blame
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.
Chevy explains why two MPG numbers are better than one
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.
British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six
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: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Peugeot iOn Citroen C-Zero Smart fourtwo electric drive Nissan Leaf Tata Vista Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vauxhall Ampera Chevrolet Volt 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.
Hertz plug-in rental program to boast 1,000 vehicles, including the Tesla Roadster
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.
2011 Chevrolet Volt: constructed from start to finish in two mind-melting minutes (video)
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."
General Motors upping Chevy Volt production by 50 percent in 2011
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.
Chevy Volt officially priced at $41,000, $350/month on a three-year lease
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."
Coulomb partners with Ford, Chevy, Smart to deliver 4,600 free EV charging stations in US
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.
