Chevy Volt First Build on June 1

S

Shipkiller

Veteran
Read it here, on a computer tech site:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/chevy-volt-electric-hybrid-tesla,news-3713.html

http://gm-volt.com/2009/03/25/first-genuine-chevy-volt-integration-vehilce-to-be-completed-by-june-1-2009/
 
OK its rant time :evil:

I really don't get the fascination with electric cars. You still need the same amount of energy to move a certain size/weight car at a certain speed, regardless of its power source. A traditional car converts fossil fuel into useful kinetic energy on board. An electric car still needs the same amount of energy, which is now generated at some remote power plant, most likely still by burning fossil fuel. Studies have shown the net well to wheel' efficiency for a traditional internal combustion car to be about 19% (i.e.; after drilling, pumping, refining, transporting, and ultimately burning, only 19% of the potential energy in a gallon of crude oil makes it the wheels). All electric cars up that by 1 whole point to 20% - and that does not figure in the extra energy needed to manufacture and eventually dispose of the batteries. Hybrids, on the other hand, push the number closer to 34%. This number has the potential to go even higher by using internal combustion engines designed and tuned specifically to operate an on board generator at a steady load and speed. This same approach has been used for generations to power diesel-electric train locomotives. All electric cars like the Volt simply make no real sense. :headbang:

Rant over.
 
This car is taking soooooo... long too come to market. Meanwhile hybrids and diesels are running circles around it. :?
 
ay8306 said:
OK its rant time :evil:

I really don't get the fascination with electric cars. You still need the same amount of energy to move a certain size/weight car at a certain speed, regardless of its power source. A traditional car converts fossil fuel into useful kinetic energy on board. An electric car still needs the same amount of energy, which is now generated at some remote power plant, most likely still by burning fossil fuel. Studies have shown the net well to wheel' efficiency for a traditional internal combustion car to be about 19% (i.e.; after drilling, pumping, refining, transporting, and ultimately burning, only 19% of the potential energy in a gallon of crude oil makes it the wheels). All electric cars up that by 1 whole point to 20% - and that does not figure in the extra energy needed to manufacture and eventually dispose of the batteries. Hybrids, on the other hand, push the number closer to 34%. This number has the potential to go even higher by using internal combustion engines designed and tuned specifically to operate an on board generator at a steady load and speed. This same approach has been used for generations to power diesel-electric train locomotives. All electric cars like the Volt simply make no real sense. :headbang:

Rant over.
Click to expand...


DING...

You get the intelligence prize.

But it make the buyers think they are doing something good for the earth....though it does reduce, somewhat the oil intake of a country....
 
I'm no fan of these for all those real cradle to grave environmental costs and issues mentioned aove.

Even aside that it just looks like the Honda Prius that's been out for a decade :thumbsdown:
 
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