Chevy Volt Study, Volume Production Plans, Song

I nearly missed a rare outbreak of joined-up thinking in the automotive world from the start of the month!

Chevy are planning to push 100 Chevy Volts into California in partnership with three power-generation companies and the installation of about 500 charging facilities. For the Chevy Volt electric vehicle to work as well as a traditional auto, it has to solve the fueling issue with sufficient charging locations and faster charge time*. Part of their approach means that both Chevy and the power-companies (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District) can pool their study data and find what works, doesn't work or needs rethinking.

This will be a two-year study starting 2011 including OnStar's fuel & navigation data capture.

One regional issue that California hides, is the large differences between different States' overnight spare power-capability. While California might be in the vanguard of energy-efficient businesses and homes, that isn't the case in mid-western or some eastern States.

*Of course the other big issue is about supporting any large number of autos needing a charge overnight. Simple. There's not the power capability today, tomorrow or anytime soon unless more power-generation is available - that means nuclear - guaranteed home-grown fuel energy that we can rely upon.

Image from LA AutoShow - "recycled" from the Jalopnik.

Depressing however, is someone's release of a Chevy Volt song. Really, you don't have to click this, at least you know there's one out there on the Tubes.

Nick

Linkey no workey (for the video player).

Nick H

Chevy are planning to push 100 Chevy Volts into California in partnership with three power-generation companies and the installation of about 500 charging facilities. For the Chevy Volt electric vehicle to work as well as a traditional auto, it has to solve the fueling issue with sufficient charging locations and faster charge time*. Part of their approach means that both Chevy and the power-companies (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District) can pool their study data and find what works, doesn't work or needs rethinking.

Ok something here does not add up. Unless these 100 Chevy Volts have been modified for fast recharge, there is no need for recharge stations. Stock Chevy Volts use a standard 120 volt 15 amp circuit. Using that type of charging systems means 6 to 7 hour recharge time for their 16 Kwh battery capacity

Nick H

One regional issue that California hides, is the large differences between different States' overnight spare power-capability. While California might be in the vanguard of energy-efficient businesses and homes, that isn't the case in mid-western or some eastern States.

Sorry Nick but this does not make any sense either. California is an importer of electric energy. Due to CA energy policies that resemble Spain and Germany electric utilities are not building power generation, leaving the state no choice but to depend on neighboring states to supply about 30% of CA energy requirements. Midwest states have excess capacity at night and have no night capacity issues to recharge a fleet of EV's.

Nick H

*Of course the other big issue is about supporting any large number of autos needing a charge overnight. Simple. There's not the power capability today, tomorrow or anytime soon unless more power-generation is available - that means nuclear - guaranteed home-grown fuel energy that we can rely upon.

This one is about half right if put under the context if the USA fleet were converted to EV's in a very short period of time. Truth is the battery technology is not were it has to be to do that. Battery technology is close, but realistically we are still still 20 years out before the number of EV's will outpace electrical generation, so there is plenty of time to build out generation and transmission if the USA quits wasting time with RE endevours.

dereckbc

Nick H

Chevy are planning to push 100 Chevy Volts into California in partnership with three power-generation companies and the installation of about 500 charging facilities. For the Chevy Volt electric vehicle to work as well as a traditional auto, it has to solve the fueling issue with sufficient charging locations and faster charge time*. Part of their approach means that both Chevy and the power-companies (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District) can pool their study data and find what works, doesn't work or needs rethinking.

Ok something here does not add up. Unless these 100 Chevy Volts have been modified for fast recharge, there is no need for recharge stations. Stock Chevy Volts use a standard 120 volt 15 amp circuit. Using that type of charging systems means 6 to 7 hour recharge time for their 16 Kwh battery capacity

Well, they're getting involved for some reason.Why? Apartment dwellers? Sure, most home-owners are going to have easy access to a 3-pin lead and 120 volts.

dereckbc

Nick H

One regional issue that California hides, is the large differences between different States' overnight spare power-capability. While California might be in the vanguard of energy-efficient businesses and homes, that isn't the case in mid-western or some eastern States.

Sorry Nick but this does not make any sense either. California is an importer of electric energy. Due to CA energy policies that resemble Spain and Germany electric utilities are not building power generation, leaving the state no choice but to depend on neighboring states to supply about 30% of CA energy requirements. Midwest states have excess capacity at night and have no night capacity issues to recharge a fleet of EV's.

Nick H

*Of course the other big issue is about supporting any large number of autos needing a charge overnight. Simple. There's not the power capability today, tomorrow or anytime soon unless more power-generation is available - that means nuclear - guaranteed home-grown fuel energy that we can rely upon.

This one is about half right if put under the context if the USA fleet were converted to EV's in a very short period of time. Truth is the battery technology is not were it has to be to do that. Battery technology is close, but realistically we are still still 20 years out before the number of EV's will outpace electrical generation, so there is plenty of time to build out generation and transmission if the USA quits wasting time with RE endevours.

I was very much misinformed. In fact, Mexico sells California about 50 mw per day, a cool $200k per day revenue for Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). I read they would sell more if their lines could take it.

You didn't like the Chevy Volt song either?

Nick

Nick H

I was very much misinformed. In fact, Mexico sells California about 50 mw per day, a cool $200k per day revenue for Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). I read they would sell more if their lines could take it.

Well this will make you smile. Mexico is working on a deal with US government and coal producers to build huge coal fired electric plants on their side of the border and ship us back electricity.

Nick H

You didn't like the Chevy Volt song either?

Can't say I do. To me it is one of the greatest engineering underachievements in the world.

 

The song is pretty weak.

AND, sadly, airborne pollution knows no international borders. Coal plants are filthy either way.

Well Nate while I understand your point of view even if the source of an EV power is from coal, it is still cleaner than ICE, not too mention home grown power. Power has to come from somewhere, if not nuclear, NG, diesel, or coal where will it come from?

dereckbc

Nick H

I was very much misinformed. In fact, Mexico sells California about 50 mw per day, a cool $200k per day revenue for Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). I read they would sell more if their lines could take it.

Well this will make you smile. Mexico is working on a deal with US government and coal producers to build huge coal fired electric plants on their side of the border and ship us back electricity.

Thereby moving a chunk of the USA's CO₂ contribution outside of any quota agreed at Copenhagen. I wonder how many other countries have spotted this trick? The UK take some nuclear generated power from France, but I would watch the former Soviet (USSR) states for similar transfer deals. It just makes a joke of any national agreement when trans-national energy exchange really masks the energy consumers and CO₂ generators.

Seems to be some disquiet about the "Danish Text".

The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray today after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents that show world leaders will next week be asked to sign an agreement that hands more power to rich countries and sidelines the UN's role in all future climate change negotiations.

The document is also being interpreted by developing countries as setting unequal limits on per capita carbon emissions for developed and developing countries in 2050; meaning that people in rich countries would be permitted to emit nearly twice as much under the proposals.

Nick

 

Well Nick you can see part of what is happening, and I am sure some of the countries have well intentions. But the reality is countries like China, India, and Mexico and other third world countries have no intentions of ever signing any agreement, and would truly love for the western civilized world to hang them by signing up. With the cheap labor, energy, and no taxes no one will be able to compete with them. The USA will be the first to go belly up with the record deficit spending and weakening dollar. Many see it coming already and converting US dollars to gold so they have something when the US dollar collapses. No one has to fire a shot to destroy the west, just bankrupt us Worked perfectly for Reagan to bring down the Soviets, will work against us too. The sad part is we are willing and eager to do it.