GTP Cool Wall: 2011-2014 Chevrolet Volt

[Heldenzeit]

The engineering is fascinating, but that alone doesn't make it cool.

 

[Skygrasper550]

Except the Volt isn't an electric car...

Come again? The Volt isn't an electric car? I'm sorry, but what's exactly the classification of the Volt? A PHEV, a Plug-in Hybrid ELECTRIC Vehicle. It's a hybrid, yes. But it leans more towards the electric side because the petrol engine inside the car isn't directly linked to the drive wheels, and thus doesn't exactly propel the car. It instead acts as a generator to provide electricity to the uhm, I don't know, ELECTRIC motor, perhaps?

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Come again? The Volt isn't an electric car? I'm sorry, but what's exactly the classification of the Volt? A PHEV, a Plug-in Hybrid ELECTRIC Vehicle. It's a hybrid, yes. But it leans more towards the electric side because the petrol engine inside the car isn't directly linked to the drive wheels, and thus doesn't exactly propel the car. It instead acts as a generator to provide electricity to the uhm, I don't know, ELECTRIC motor, perhaps?

An electric car is a car that runs solely on electricity. A hybrid uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. A conventional car uses an internal combustion engine only. How hard is that to understand? The Prius is an HEV, or hybrid electric vehicle. Does that make it an electric vehicle?

 

[Adamgp]

It is an "Extended Range EV" according to GM.

 

[JR98]

An electric car is a car that runs solely on electricity. A hybrid uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. A conventional car uses an internal combustion engine only. How hard is that to understand? The Prius is an HEV, or hybrid electric vehicle. Does that make it an electric vehicle?

Yes? It is classed as an electric car.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Yes? It is classed as an electric car.

According to whom? It's a parallel hybrid or a PHEV. If it has an internal combustion engine that directly or indirectly propels it, it's not an EV. Think of it this way: You can run the Volt on petrol alone. Is it still an EV if the only source of energy for propulsion is petrol?

 

[Adamgp]

According to whom? It's a parallel hybrid or a PHEV. If it has an internal combustion engine that directly or indirectly propels it, it's not an EV. Think of it this way: You can run the Volt on petrol alone. Is it still an EV if the only source of energy for propulsion is petrol?

Since it was missed:

It is an "Extended Range EV" according to GM.

 

[Tornado]

Come again? The Volt isn't an electric car?

No, it's not. Not legally, according to all of the incentives programs afforded to full electric cars.

 

[Dagger311]

The American Prius. SU.

 

[Skygrasper550]

An electric car is a car that runs solely on electricity. A hybrid uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. A conventional car uses an internal combustion engine only. How hard is that to understand?

No, an electric car is a car that CAN run on electricity. What you're talking about is an ALL-ELECTRIC car that runs PURELY on electricity. I am talking about in the most technical of terms, which you should understand, but clearly you don't. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is BOTH a gasoline car AND an electric car at the same time, because it has two means of propulsion: a petrol engine and an electric motor.

The Prius is an HEV, or hybrid electric vehicle. Does that make it an electric vehicle?

Dude, I'm sorry, but I can't help but laugh at those two last sentences. You said in the first one that the Prius is an electric vehicle, then in the next sentence it's not. Make up your mind. I mean, seriously. You can't just rule out an electric car as not being an electric car just because it has a gasoline engine in it or other means of propulsion. Technically, the electric motor powers the engine directly, which makes the Prius and the Volt both electric cars. Yes, both of them have appalling ranges on their electric motors compared to the Tesla Model S, but avoid using the engines and the two cars run just like a Model S; cars that run on electricity.

According to whom? It's a parallel hybrid or a PHEV. If it has an internal combustion engine that directly or indirectly propels it, it's not an EV. Think of it this way: You can run the Volt on petrol alone. Is it still an EV if the only source of energy for propulsion is petrol?

Yes, while the petrol engine is a source of energy, it is NOT the direct source of propulsion. That is where the electric motor of the Volt comes in. Like I said earlier, the petrol engine isn't directly linked to the drive wheels, but acts as a generator to provide electricity to the electric motor.

No, it's not. Not legally, according to all of the incentives programs afforded to full electric cars.

Not legally, maybe. But it technical terms, yes it's an electric car. I'm speaking in technical terms, and if you're going to include laws/legislations/legal stuff into the argument, please, spare them.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

What you're talking about is an ALL-ELECTRIC car that runs PURELY on electricity.

Yes, that's right, that's what an EV is.

I am talking about in the most technical of terms, which you should understand, but clearly you don't.

Technical terms? And yet you can't understand the meaning of the terms EV, HEV, PHEV, or hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is BOTH a gasoline car AND an electric car at the same time, because it has two means of propulsion: a petrol engine and an electric motor.

That's what engineers call a hybrid.

Dude, I'm sorry, but I can't help but laugh at those two last sentences. You said in the first one that the Prius is an electric vehicle, then in the next sentence it's not. Make up your mind. I mean, seriously. You can't just rule out an electric car as not being an electric car just because it has a gasoline engine in it or other means of propulsion. Technically, the electric motor powers the engine directly, which makes the Prius and the Volt both electric cars. Yes, both of them have appalling ranges on their electric motors compared to the Tesla Model S, but avoid using the engines and the two cars run just like a Model S; cars that run on electricity.

There is a difference between calling a car a hybrid electric vehicle and an electric vehicle. Learn it.

Yes, while the petrol engine is a source of energy, it is NOT the source of propulsion. That is where the electric motor of the Volt comes in. Like I said earlier, the petrol engine isn't directly linked to the drive wheels, but acts as a generator to provide electricity to the electric motor.

Technically speaking, the chemical bonds in the hydrocarbons in the petrol are the source of propulsion. That energy is then converted into heat and mechanical energy in the internal combustion engine. The mechanical energy from the ICE is then converted into electrical energy, which is stored in the batteries or transferred directly to the electric motor, which then converts the energy back into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is finally converted into kinetic energy.

 

[Tornado]

technical

Technically

technical

technical

But it technical terms, yes it's an electric car. I'm speaking in technical terms,

No it's not, and no you're not. You're just throwing darts at the wall to try and justify your original comparison between a compact family sedan and a BMW 5 series competitor. The distinctions you're trying to fob off matter.

These cars were built to adhere to the specific regulations you're claiming don't matter, people specifically seek out these cars based on their adherence to said regulations you're claiming don't matter, other car manufacturers have made it a point of pride that their cars are "real" EVs versus the Volt, and GM designing the Volt the way they did (as an extended range electric vehicle with a gasoline generator) but passing it off as what you're claiming it is (as an electric vehicle) lead to a series of minor scandals ranging from GM trying to juice EPA fuel economy numbers as if the petrol engine didn't exist to people in California buying Volts but being denied HOV privileges because the cars emissions were too high to qualify without some quick re-engineering.

 

[Skygrasper550]

Yes, that's right, that's what an EV is.

In classification and legal terms, Yes I suppose so. But in engineering terms, a PHEV is also an EV.

Technical terms? And yet you can't understand the meaning of the terms EV, HEV, PHEV, or hybrid?

I am speaking at an engineering standpoint. And clearly you're looking at a classification standpoint, which is causing all the disagreement in the first place. That's why you don't get my point.

That's what engineers call a hybrid.

A hybrid, yes. But still an electric vehicle.

There is a difference between calling a car a hybrid electric vehicle and an electric vehicle. Learn it.

I think you meant the difference between a hybrid electric vehicle and an all-electric vehicle. If so, then what? you think that I don't know the difference between the two? Are you that daft?

Technically speaking, the chemical bonds in the hydrocarbons in the petrol are the source of propulsion. That energy is then converted into heat and mechanical energy in the internal combustion engine. The mechanical energy from the ICE is then converted into electrical energy, which is stored in the batteries or transferred directly to the electric motor, which then converts the energy back into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is finally converted into kinetic energy.

Which then makes the electric motor power the drive wheels, and thus, making it an electric car.

No it's not, and no you're not. You're just throwing darts at the wall to try and justify your original comparison between a compact family sedan and a BMW 5 series competitor. The distinctions you're trying to fob off matter. These cars were built to adhere to the specific regulations you're claiming don't matter, people specifically seek out these cars based on their adherence to said regulations you're claiming don't matter, other car manufacturers have made it a point of pride that their cars are "real" EVs versus the Volt, and GM designing the Volt the way they did (as an extended range electric vehicle) but passing it off as what you're claiming it is (as an electric vehicle) lead to a series of minor scandals ranging from GM trying to juice EPA fuel economy numbers as if the petrol engine didn't exist to people in California buying Volts but being denied HOV privileges because the cars emissions were too high to qualify without some quick re-engineering.

Yeah, you just had to do it, don't you? You threw in regulations/legislations/legal classification stuff into the argument which don't matter to me, and therefore makes them invalid. Like I said above, I am speaking in terms of an engineering standpoint; the way the car is made, not how the car falls into whatever category the law dictates.

 

[Tornado]

don't matter to me, and therefore makes them invalid

That's certainly convenient.

 

[Skygrasper550]

That's certainly convenient.

Which is why I kept using the word "technically" which then urged you to post that video. No harm done there, I actually found it funny. But yeah, It doesn't really matter to me on whatever categories the Model S or the Volt fall in. The thing is I prefer the Model S.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

In classification and legal terms, Yes I suppose so. But in engineering terms, a PHEV is also an EV.

No, it's not. That's like saying that a front mid mounted engine is the same as a mid mounted engine. It's like saying that an FPGA is the same as a gate array. It's like saying that an LC circuit is the same as a capacitor circuit. It's like saying that a diesel electric locomotive is the same as an electric locomotive. If a PHEV and EV were the same thing, they'd both be called EVs.

I am speaking at an engineering standpoint. And clearly you're looking at a classification standpoint, which is causing all the disagreement in the first place. That's why you don't get my point.

Do you actually know anything about engineering?

A hybrid, yes. But still an electric vehicle.

How can that even make sense to you? They're not the same thing.

I think you meant the difference between a hybrid electric vehicle and an all-electric vehicle. If so, then what? you think that I don't know the difference between the two? Are you that daft?

See above. It's clear that you don't know the difference between the two.

Like I said above, I am speaking in terms of an engineering standpoint;

the way the car is made

In that case, it's neither an EV nor a PHEV. It's a mass produced vehicle.

don't matter to me, and therefore makes them invalid.

Aaaand we're done here. I'm not going to argue with someone who refuses to accept any ideas that don't agree with his own.

 

[Skygrasper550]

No, it's not. That's like saying that a front mid mounted engine is the same as a mid mounted engine. It's like saying that an LC circuit is the same as a capacitor circuit. It's like saying that a diesel electric locomotive is the same as an electric locomotive. If a PHEV and EV were the same thing, they'd both be called EVs.

They're not the same thing, but it's in their similarities which I am pointing at.

Do you actually know anything about engineering?

Enough to understand how PHEVs and EVs work.

How can that even make sense to you? They're not the same thing.

Again, it's in the similarities I am talking about. A hybrid is also an electric vehicle, AND something else.

See above. It's clear that you don't know the difference between the two.

Yes I do? I just said earlier that "A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is BOTH a gasoline car AND an electric car at the same time, because it has two means of propulsion: a petrol engine and an electric motor." A hybrid uses both petrol and electricity, while an all-electric car uses only electricity. They're similar in the case that they both use electric motors to propel their drive wheels. The main difference is that a hybrid has a petrol engine, whereas the petrol engine doesn't have one. There, is that enough for you? Or do you still want to insist that I'm an idiot? Go on then, try me.

In that case, it's neither an EV nor a PHEV. It's a mass produced vehicle.

What you just said doesn't help with the argument.

Aaaand we're done here. I'm not going to argue with someone who refuses to accept any ideas that don't agree with his own.

It's not that I don't agree. I just don't like how you perceive PHEVs and EVs as two completely different things, where in fact they have similarities.

So does that mean we're done? Good, because I'm getting tired of arguing with people who keep running their mouths but fail to understand the point of view of the person they are arguing with.

 

[LivingWithGames]

I like it, the visual, that is. That saved it from being Seriously Uncool, I'd grab this rather than a Prius..now, if this wasn't an electric car..I'd vote a Meh.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Seriously Uncool.

 

[Legro]

Because, as I said above, I'm simply talking about the Model S and the Volt being electric cars. I don't care how much expensive the Model S is, and I don't care if the two cars were supposed to compete with each other or not.

Simply put, if I had enough money to buy either a Model S or a Volt, I'd have the Model S any day.

There. Happy?

I'd rather have Jaguar F Type, than 1992 Vauxhall Corsa. It's still irrelevant to compare them, even though, both transfer chemical energy to kinetic energy by internal combustion engines.

I presume this probably won't make any difference to you, but it obviously does for everyone with a Corsa.

 

[Joey D]

The Volt isn't an electric car, I believe GM calls it an extended range vehicle or something like that. EV's need to be 100% electric to be considered electric and can't use fossil fuels to power it (well fossil fuels in the sense of an on-board tank, not at a power plant). Also GM has said, and it even looks like they've linked in on their website, that one of the Volt's competitors is the BMW i3, not the Tesla. I would also throw in the Nissan Leaf since that's actually affordable and similarly priced.

The Volt though isn't cool, I like the tech behind it and it's a step in the right direction to help ween us off oil dependency when it comes to cars, but there's still a stigma attached to it. Also the design already looks dated to me, like it's somehow trying to be futuristic while failing in that late 90's sort of a way.

 

[R5]

I like it, I mean it's not exciting but I kinda like that.

I don't want to appear to be a goody two shoes, so it looking kinda handsome is a plus. Also love the name.

Cool.

 

[Gotbeefboy564]

Cool, one of the only electric vehicles I'll buy besides the tesla.

 

[RVDNuT374]

SU because it is extremely overpriced for what is essentially a giant Power Wheels with a gas motor for recharging the battery.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Uncool, because when people ask you about it they will start arguing about the definition of an electric vehicle.

 

[XS]

I was going to make a broad generalized statement that wasn't grounded in fact, but it appears I was beaten to it by quite a lot of folks. Anyway, I like how they look, but it still isn't cool.

 

[TenEightyOne]

1721 kg is probably around 3800 pounds (Just guessing, not actually calculating). That sounds like an accurate figure. As for the car, I voted meh. It's just another hybrid that's not particularly exciting.

Pretty much. That puts it 400 kilos over the Focus which is around a similar class/size, and way heavier than a Prius.

Seriously uncool.

 

[Crash]

I'm just talking about the two of them being electric cars in the strictest of sense. That's it. I don't care if they were supposed to be competitors or not.

Because, as I said above, I'm simply talking about the Model S and the Volt being electric cars. I don't care how much expensive the Model S is, and I don't care if the two cars were supposed to compete with each other or not.

Simply put, if I had enough money to buy either a Model S or a Volt, I'd have the Model S any day.

There. Happy?

While we're making comparisons like that, I just want to say, if I had enough money to buy either a Mercedes Benz S Class or a Hyundai Accent, I'll have the S Class any day.

It is an "Extended Range EV" according to GM.

Marketing speak. All a bunch of BS.

They're not the same thing, but it's in their similarities which I am pointing at.

It's not the similarities but the differences that matter here. Blindly looking at just similarities without regard to the differences that make one fail to be classed the same as the other is like saying that:

and this:

are the same because they are both powered by diesel.

Enough to understand how PHEVs and EVs work.

So that's a no then.

I don't know a single engineer who thinks that a hybrid and an electric vehicle are the same thing, and I know quite a few engineers.

 

[The87Dodge]

The designer of the Chevrolet Volt must've been drunk when he made the exterior design. It's just hideous.

 

[ScottPuss20]

This is not a hybrid that you'll see me driving. It's just not worth the money. Uncool