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GM: Volt will get 230 miles per gallon

phattonez said:
So then is it that people just don't want cars that perform like crap on the freeway anymore?
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Have you ever driven the old Sprint or Metro with the 3 cylinder engine?

It performed well on the freeway, it had plenty of power.

Americans just don't want econo boxes as their everyday car and most people can't afford a car dedicated to commuting with the insurance rates the way they are.
 
texmaster said:
And Cadillac Hursts actually have already been immortalized
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The word is spelled Hearse and the Ecto was a combination car not a straight hearse but made up to look like an ambulance.
 
If it could come in at $25k I'd be more apt to consider it as I'm the ideal person. I commute 20 miles a day, with the occasional extra 10-20 miles for errands. Weekends could potentially see me in the 50-80 mile range. Occasionally I take trips, but the longest of those trips is about 250 miles.

That said, the price right now is probably a bit much and more to the point I live in a town house without a garage so I'd have no where to charge it.

So I'll be happy with the 45ish MPG I get on my Vulcan.
 
Mason66 said:
If we are talking about milage then diesel is the way to go.

I just saw a car show from England where they ran 3 diesel cars on the highway. The Subaru Legacy Wagon, the VW Polo and the Jaguar X or S Type which had 2 turbos on it.

They were averaging on the highway anywhere from 40 MPG to 80 MPG.

Even the Jag at 80 MPH on the highway with the AC on was at 40 MPG.

They are clean burning diesels and a gallon of diesel fuel is alot cheaper than a gallon of gas.

A diesel engine will last a lot longer than the batteries of an electric car so I don't see whay those cars can't be sold inthe US tomorrow.
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There have been diesels sold in the US, and still are. Overall, the smaller ones have not been a marketing success for some reason. I drove a Mercedes diesel once, and a Volvo. Both were gutless wonders. If other diesels have similar performance, then there is no mystery why diesels haven't been too popular here. Some of the larger pickups are diesels, and get better mileage than their gasoline counterparts, or so I'm told. The problem is the same as the problem with the Volt: Initial cost. A big trailer hauling rig with a diesel engine is a hefty investment.
 
winston53660 said:
I use to be the N Texas rep for Kodak and I traveled all over the place. Like from Dallas to Wichita Falls a 6 hour round trip and 230 mpg would have been great.
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But if you have to stop to re-charge, isn't it kind of counterproductive? 40 miles per charge isn't even what I drive one-way to work.
 
lizzie said:
But if you have to stop to re-charge, isn't it kind of counterproductive? 40 miles per charge isn't even what I drive one-way to work.
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This car is a hybrid though. Once the battery's charge is depleted, a gas motor kicks in and recharges the batteries as you drive. This thing has a range that is a lot longer then 40 miles. 40 miles is just how far it goes before it starts using gas.
 
ScottD said:
This car is a hybrid though. Once the battery's charge is depleted, a gas motor kicks in and recharges the batteries as you drive. This thing has a range that is a lot longer then 40 miles. 40 miles is just how far it goes before it starts using gas.
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That's true, but it's cost is some $18,000 more than a non hybrid Focus, (after tax credit) which is about the same size. Now consider, the volt getting let's say 47 MPG, and the Focus gets 33 MPG over all. That's 14 MPG better, or about 1 gallon of gas per tank full. Now depending on how many tank fill ups you do in a week, (average of one for me) that would take you 115 years to recoup your money in gas savings....

Great deal!


j-mac
 
j-mac said:
That's true, but it's cost is some $18,000 more than a non hybrid Focus, (after tax credit) which is about the same size. Now consider, the volt getting let's say 47 MPG, and the Focus gets 33 MPG over all. That's 14 MPG better, or about 1 gallon of gas per tank full. Now depending on how many tank fill ups you do in a week, (average of one for me) that would take you 115 years to recoup your money in gas savings....

Great deal!


j-mac
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Of course not all car purchases are about economics

Image, desire, style are all aspects of which car a person buys. A 2 door coupe is rather useless compared to a 4 door sedan, and a station wagon provides even more utility. But people buy the 2 door coupe because of style and image. The same can apply for the Volt or Prius
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
Of course not all car purchases are about economics

Image, desire, style are all aspects of which car a person buys. A 2 door coupe is rather useless compared to a 4 door sedan, and a station wagon provides even more utility. But people buy the 2 door coupe because of style and image. The same can apply for the Volt or Prius
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I think what you really mean LT is snob appeal....The Prius I have found are usually driven by liberals that like to think they are better than everyone else because they drive a hybrid car. I think they are not so bright. They pay more for it, it still does enormus environmental damage battery disposal and all, and they never recoup their money out of it....Fads are always a bad idea.


j-mac
 
j-mac said:
I think what you really mean LT is snob appeal....The Prius I have found are usually driven by liberals that like to think they are better than everyone else because they drive a hybrid car. I think they are not so bright. They pay more for it, it still does enormus environmental damage battery disposal and all, and they never recoup their money out of it....Fads are always a bad idea.


j-mac
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Not much different then the person who buys the full size pickup with lift kit, and large tires only to use it to drive to work and back never taking it off road, or the person who buys the Altima coupe over the sedan. It is image
 
j-mac said:
That's true, but it's cost is some $18,000 more than a non hybrid Focus, (after tax credit) which is about the same size. Now consider, the volt getting let's say 47 MPG, and the Focus gets 33 MPG over all. That's 14 MPG better, or about 1 gallon of gas per tank full. Now depending on how many tank fill ups you do in a week, (average of one for me) that would take you 115 years to recoup your money in gas savings....

Great deal!


j-mac
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That mileage is only if you drive 300 miles a day. If you are like most people who travel well under 40 miles a day, then you will have much much better mileage.
 
j-mac said:
I think what you really mean LT is snob appeal....The Prius I have found are usually driven by liberals that like to think they are better than everyone else because they drive a hybrid car. I think they are not so bright. They pay more for it, it still does enormus environmental damage battery disposal and all, and they never recoup their money out of it....Fads are always a bad idea.


j-mac
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People, do we really have to keep making comments like this? You conservatives are always the fastest to scream about how you can spend your money how you damn well please. Some people care about the environment more than you do, but "liberals" don't hold the extreme view that you guys keep assigning to us. "We should take significant steps to minimize our emissions of CO2 because the long-term problems are significant" is not the same thing as "STOP ALL FOSSIL FUELS TOMORROW **** THE ECONOMY **** EATING FOOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE IF WE DON'T"
 
ScottD said:
That mileage is only if you drive 300 miles a day. If you are like most people who travel well under 40 miles a day, then you will have much much better mileage.
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Yes, and I've already calculated the break even point at 200,000 miles and 200 mpg, that if the batteries last and Chevy doesn't make one of their unreliable vehicles.

I, for one, am not going to buy a Volt until it has proven itself.
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
Of course not all car purchases are about economics

Image, desire, style are all aspects of which car a person buys. A 2 door coupe is rather useless compared to a 4 door sedan, and a station wagon provides even more utility. But people buy the 2 door coupe because of style and image. The same can apply for the Volt or Prius
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Yes, being 'green' is all the rage these days. CFL bulbs that use less electricity but are filled with mercury, Cars that run on batteries, which certainly aren't good for the environment, solar panels made of 'evil' hydrocarbons etc. But yes, as you say, one's image definitely plays a factor. If I want to look good in a car I'm getting a fast convertible for cheaper than that slow hunk of junk (in my opinion).
 
Deuce said:
People, do we really have to keep making comments like this? You conservatives are always the fastest to scream about how you can spend your money how you damn well please. Some people care about the environment more than you do, but "liberals" don't hold the extreme view that you guys keep assigning to us. "We should take significant steps to minimize our emissions of CO2 because the long-term problems are significant" is not the same thing as "STOP ALL FOSSIL FUELS TOMORROW **** THE ECONOMY **** EATING FOOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE IF WE DON'T"
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I'm a biology major (only 1 semester left to complete it) so I feel fairly informed on the subject. Since I feel lumped into "you conservatives," I'm going to step outside of your steriotype and explain my view on the subject.

1) Global Warming (Climate change, w/e) DOES exist.

2) Ozone Depletion IS real.

3) We don't have the technology or the the resources (financial or otherwise) to put a quick end to extreme hydrocarbon usage. Hydrocarbons are important in almost everything, from fuels to plastics. Hydrocarbon chains are used in practically everything and are even release in flatulance.

4) We should increase domestic drilling. This will decrease our reliance on foreign, terrorist countries who likely are less green than we are in drilling.

5) The market will eventually demand (and currently this is starting to increase) more 'green' vehicles. You can already see the effects here. The capitalist way states that when there is a deman companies will try to create a supply. In this way we will slowly work toward green energies anyway. When 'green' energy becomes cheaper, and I believe it will at some point with the huge demand we have for fossil fuels, the demand for green energy will increase and companies will work toward increasing their supply.


So hows that coming from a, "you conservative"?

Oh and to add a fact, CO2 isn't the only problem with car emissions from gasoline and diesel engines. SOx and NOx also pose a significant problem (released from vehicles and factories). There are other contributors too, of course.
 
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Rightwingnutjob said:
Yes, being 'green' is all the rage these days. CFL bulbs that use less electricity but are filled with mercury, Cars that run on batteries, which certainly aren't good for the environment, solar panels made of 'evil' hydrocarbons etc. But yes, as you say, one's image definitely plays a factor. If I want to look good in a car I'm getting a fast convertible for cheaper than that slow hunk of junk (in my opinion).
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I would go a BMW 335 coupe before the Volt, and perhaps a 500cc motorcycle to save on gas
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
I would go a BMW 335 coupe before the Volt, and perhaps a 500cc motorcycle to save on gas
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Ahh yes, once I'm out of college with a steady job, I'll be grabbing a motorcycle. I've always wanted one!
 
Let us assume for the moment that all of the gasoline powered vehicles on the road were replaced by electric vehicles over a span of, say 10 years.

How much electricity is needed to 'fuel' the the daily communte in just the greater LA area, and how do we generate it?
 
Goobieman said:
Let us assume for the moment that all of the gasoline powered vehicles on the road were replaced by electric vehicles over a span of, say 10 years.

How much electricity is needed to 'fuel' the the daily communte in just the greater LA area, and how do we generate it?
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And how much fossil fuels are used in that generation...
 
Rightwingnutjob said:
And how much fossil fuels are used in that generation...
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And the pollution caused by same.

If there's not enough power to run all the A/C in LA, how does anyone think there will ever be enough power to then also run all the cars?
 
Rightwingnutjob said:
I'm a biology major (only 1 semester left to complete it) so I feel fairly informed on the subject. Since I feel lumped into "you conservatives," I'm going to step outside of your steriotype and explain my view on the subject.

1) Global Warming (Climate change, w/e) DOES exist.

2) Ozone Depletion IS real.

3) We don't have the technology or the the resources (financial or otherwise) to put a quick end to extreme hydrocarbon usage. Hydrocarbons are important in almost everything, from fuels to plastics. Hydrocarbon chains are used in practically everything and are even release in flatulance.

4) We should increase domestic drilling. This will decrease our reliance on foreign, terrorist countries who likely are less green than we are in drilling.

5) The market will eventually demand (and currently this is starting to increase) more 'green' vehicles. You can already see the effects here. The capitalist way states that when there is a deman companies will try to create a supply. In this way we will slowly work toward green energies anyway. When 'green' energy becomes cheaper, and I believe it will at some point with the huge demand we have for fossil fuels, the demand for green energy will increase and companies will work toward increasing their supply.


So hows that coming from a, "you conservative"?

Oh and to add a fact, CO2 isn't the only problem with car emissions from gasoline and diesel engines. SOx and NOx also pose a significant problem (released from vehicles and factories). There are other contributors too, of course.
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Now, if you're going to base your opinions on fact, logic, and science, then you'll just have to change your username. No one is going to lump you into "you conservatives" if you do that. How can anyone be a true conservative, let alone a right wing nutjob and believe the science of global climate change, for example? All of the pundits that all true rightwingnutjobs listen to say there is no such thing as AGW. The real true believers will tell you that it is all a conspiracy to establish a world Marxist government.

Now, your support of market capitalism does give you some conservative credibility, but thinking that the market is going to support green energy? Oh, no, you need to say three hail Rushs and pray to the drillbabydrill gods after that one.

I'm beginning to suspect that you're sane after all, and perhaps even a centrist who supports a practical approach to problems.
 
Dittohead not! said:
Now, if you're going to base your opinions on fact, logic, and science, then you'll just have to change your username. No one is going to lump you into "you conservatives" if you do that. How can anyone be a true conservative, let alone a right wing nutjob and believe the science of global climate change, for example? All of the pundits that all true rightwingnutjobs listen to say there is no such thing as AGW. The real true believers will tell you that it is all a conspiracy to establish a world Marxist government.

Now, your support of market capitalism does give you some conservative credibility, but thinking that the market is going to support green energy? Oh, no, you need to say three hail Rushs and pray to the drillbabydrill gods after that one.

I'm beginning to suspect that you're sane after all, and perhaps even a centrist who supports a practical approach to problems.
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I'll say, "thanks," since mos of that seemed like some sort of complement. I chose my name mostly in jest as most liberals and "self proclaimed centrists" seem to lump all people left of center into a whack-nutjob-group. The right does the same to the left, and both sides are partially right in that there are whacko's on both sides.

The reason the market will support green energy? Look at what's happening now. There is a HUGE movement toward green alternatives. CFL's are all the rage. Hybrid vehicles are becoming popular. Organic and locally grown produce is taking a larger share of the market. It is clear that many people believe the science and would love to have green alternatives as long as they don't have pay through the nose while throwing in an arm and a leg. Companies realize that. Even the oil companies are trying to say they are 'greener' by adding ethanol to gas. Sure for some companies it's just a facade, but I think it's one people will see through and demand a true green alternative. The market will adjust to meet the demand.

Let the science speak and let the people act. Eventually the majority will be buying 'green' and the minority will be left with few alternatives (as demand for 'ungreen' falls so will supply until it fizzles out completely because profits are too low).
 
Rightwingnutjob said:
I'll say, "thanks," since mos of that seemed like some sort of complement. I chose my name mostly in jest as most liberals and "self proclaimed centrists" seem to lump all people left of center into a whack-nutjob-group. The right does the same to the left, and both sides are partially right in that there are whacko's on both sides.

The reason the market will support green energy? Look at what's happening now. There is a HUGE movement toward green alternatives. CFL's are all the rage. Hybrid vehicles are becoming popular. Organic and locally grown produce is taking a larger share of the market. It is clear that many people believe the science and would love to have green alternatives as long as they don't have pay through the nose while throwing in an arm and a leg. Companies realize that. Even the oil companies are trying to say they are 'greener' by adding ethanol to gas. Sure for some companies it's just a facade, but I think it's one people will see through and demand a true green alternative. The market will adjust to meet the demand.

Let the science speak and let the people act. Eventually the majority will be buying 'green' and the minority will be left with few alternatives (as demand for 'ungreen' falls so will supply until it fizzles out completely because profits are too low).
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Right on.

And it 's good to find someone who at least understands my somewhat twisted sense of humor. I thought you might have a sense of humor also, given your username.
 
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