BobDrye Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 GM plans 26 hybrids by '14 — if it can get parts DETROIT — In General Motors' viability plan given to the Treasury Department, company executives pledge to boost the number of gasoline- electric hybrids in GM's lineup to 26 models by 2014, from eight today. The technology will be ready. But GM may be unable to deliver the goods, mainly because of potential parts shortages, said GM's top powertrain executive. "When we put our viability plan together, we had to use the assumptions we have today on the components that are available," Tom Stephens, GM executive vice president of global powertrain and global quality, told Automotive News. "There are a lot of ifs, ands and buts associated with that. We will have all of this developed, but depending on component availability, we may do one thing or the other." On April 1, Stephens will take over global product development from Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who will become a senior adviser until retiring Dec. 31. Stephens wouldn't say which components could be in short supply. But lithium ion batteries could be hard to get because of supply constraints. GM also doesn't make electric motors, but might need to if the Chevrolet Volt, production version of the Cadillac Converj concept and their variants sell well. One vehicle — the Saturn Vue Two Mode hybrid — already has been delayed because of a component shortage. That vehicle was supposed to have been launched by now but has been pushed back to June, Stephens said. He refused to say what parts are unavailable. GM plans three hybrid powertrains: a simple belt-alternator starter system such as the one on today's Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Malibu; and two versions of the Two Mode system, one for rear-drive trucks and one for front-drive vehicles. The fwd Two Mode will have a plug-in feature designed to enable more distance on electric power only. GM considers the Chevrolet Volt an electric vehicle, not a hybrid. This year GM has broadened its hybrid offerings by rolling out Two Mode versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Stephens said nearly all of GM's product plans are in flux as the company overhauls its operations to cope with lower sales. Said Stephens: "Right now there are so many things changing. Product programs change by the week. Things haven't really settled down yet. We don't really know where the market is going." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 ...............But lithium ion batteries could be hard to get because of supply constraints........... I can believe that. Was looking around for Lithium cells for my electric bicycle that I started to use for my 14-mile round trip commute. But even for that wimpy 1.3 hp motor it would cost me some 700+ bucks (directly from China). I can only imagine what that may be for a reasonable car with a decent operating distance. I guess for now I will keep the 30 pounds of lead-acid cells... Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I've actually been on the list for one of these for quite some time and am up pretty high. But I've changed my mind and went with solar panels on the house (which would actually make driving this car free if I had more money). http://www.aptera.com/look.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 I subscribe to a Yahoo group that did a direct purchase of about $30,000.00 worth of Lifo4 cells with a BMS. From the feedback that I read I would be very careful. A 7.5 kw system for a Buge would cost $7000.00. I have purchased (6) Optima blue tops that give a total of about 5kw. The Buge should have a range of about 40 miles @ 55 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 ....The Buge should have a range of about 40 miles @ 55 mph.... That "car" is really cool. Very tempting and the way to go in the long run. It is anyway amazing what is going on at a small scale with electric vehicles. Much more dynamics than with the big companies. I started my bicycle project just for fun (and because I get restless when I don't have at least one project going) But it turned out to be surprisingly useful. Gets me to work about as fast as in the car (given the typical LA traffic and surface streets) and the weather is not such a big issue here. The $500 that I invested in the conversion kit was not much in the first place and should even amortize within a few months with the "alternate transportation" subsidy of my employer and the gas/car wear savings. Just need to watch out for other folks who don't expect a cruising bicycle approach at 25 mph... Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Mondo, I had been considering the Aptera too. Here's a photo for those who haven't seen it: http://energyethos.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/apteraelectricvehicle.jpg However, last fall I sent in an application to lease one of the 500 all-electric Mini E's that BMW has built for a field study. I've been tentatively accepted to lease one of the cars, but it has been a slow process and I still need to pass an electrical inspection of my house. I'll know for sure in a month or two! http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/12/MINI-E_First-Drive_Top.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 I,m posting some pictures of cars that I think we'll see in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 A friend of mine who owns *several* electric cars recently send along this email: "Tesla Motors (http://www.teslamotors.com/) is unveiling their second car, the four-door luxury sedan, on March 26th. Pure Electric, 200+ mile range, target price is $50,000 after the Federal subsidies, available 2011 (or so). If you're interested in getting an early order in on one of these beasts, they are currently taking orders only from existing Roadster customers, but they are giving each Roaster customer five "friends-and-family" "coupons". If you're interested in one of these slots of mine, let me know. First come-first serve. There are two ways to order. The first 1000 cars are their "signature series". They'll be fully loaded with all the options, including the highest-range battery pack. $40,000 refundable deposit holds your position in line which is set based on when they receive the deposit. You can also leave a $5,000 deposit for a regular-production car, again position in line based on when they receive the deposit, but these will be produced after the Signature Series cars." Just FYI... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Well, I've been driving my Mini E for one month now. I love it! I've given lots of rides and the first thing everybody notices is how quiet the car is. It hasn't been without problems though. I've been blogging about the experience if you are interested: http://web.me.com/soareyes/Stans_Mini_E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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