Green Car Congress

MARCH 3, 2009

GM Europe staged the world premieres of the Opel Ampera, the European cousin of the Chevrolet Volt, and the Chevrolet Spark mini-car, at the Geneva Motor Show. The Ampera is an extended range electric vehicle based on the Voltec technology used in the Chevrolet Volt. Click to enlarge. Opel Ampera. Earlier post.)

Chevrolet 150

Chevrolet GM Europe Li-ion 150

Green Car Congress

APRIL 18, 2016

l/100 km) combined, 47 mpg city and 46 mpg highway; the powertrain shares the transmission architecture with the 2016 Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle (EREV), but includes changes to optimize the system for engine-driven charge-sustaining operation in the range of conditions represented by the US EPA 5 cycle fuel economy tests.

Malibu Hybrid 150

Malibu Hybrid 2016 Chevrolet Design 150

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 4, 2009

The 17 designs range from systems using on-board hydrogen fuel cells to full battery-electric vehicles. Students were encouraged to explore a variety of solutions including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, electric, and extended range electric vehicles. All of the designs use lithium-ion battery technology.

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Li-ion Plug-in Plug Renewable 170

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 18, 2009

The Volt and its Li-ion battery pack have proceeded in parallel through GM’s development and manufacturing process. On the pack and cell side, GM has made minor adjustments in the chemistry (LG Chem’s Li-ion manganese spinel) in collaboration with LG Chem for improved life. —Bill Wallace.

2010 218

2010 Volt Li-ion Production 218

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2010

The Karma—an extended-range electric vehicle—is scheduled to be launched in late 2010. The Fisker Karma is expected to have a range of 50 full-electric miles on a charge and a total range of 300 miles with an on-board generator turned by a 2.0L direct injection Ecotec gasoline engine from GM ( earlier post ).

Fisker 218

Fisker Karma Li-ion Supplies 218

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2010

During the serial media launch events for the Chevrolet Volt, GM provided more detail (subsequent to the completion of related patent work) on the novel drive architecture applied in their first extended range electric vehicle to enhance the efficiency of both the battery electric and extended-range driving modes.

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Extended Range Volt Motor Motors 344

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2012

The GM/U Mich patent envisages using multiple free-piston engines (240A through 240D in the patent drawing). The powertrain system—the patent application for which was filed in 2009—includes an electrical energy storage system—such as a Li-ion battery pack—and an electric traction motor. Click to enlarge.

Extended Range 400

Extended Range Plug-in Engine GM 400

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 16, 2012

GM will focus its vehicle electrification strategy on eAssist-type systems and the plug. Source: Larry Nitz, GM. That’s not how GM is doing business today, ” she said. “ GM is tracking to sell more than 50,000 vehicles this year with some form of electrification, Barra said—the majority of which will be eAssist systems.

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Extended Range GM Light Plug 286

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 14, 2009

to manufacture lithium-ion battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt and other extended-range electric vehicles. The previously announced plant is the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in the US operated by a major automaker. GM designed and engineered all but eight parts. Earlier post.). Earlier post.)

Li-ion 225

Li-ion GM Lithium Ion Batteries 225

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 11, 2009

Based on the same draft EPA methodology, the Volt would also deliver “ triple-digit ” combined cycle fuel economy along with combined cycle electricity consumption of 25 kWh/100 miles, according to GM. At the US average cost of electricity (approximately 11 cents per kWh), GM calculates that a typical Volt driver would pay about $2.75

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Volt MPG EPA GM 230

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 25, 2009

Opel will debut the new Astra at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show; the company will also showcase the Ampera, Opel’s implementation of the Voltec extended range electric vehicle architecture. GM Exploring Keeping Opel. GM is also exploring ways to retain ownership of Opel, as first reported in the Wall Street Journal.

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Fuel MPG Gasoline-Electric Gasoline 186