GM's Jolt? Chevy Volt to Get 230 Miles Per Gallon

CNBC ^ | 8/11/2009 | Staff

[zipper]

Since you only have a 50% usable range, that means you need to buy and carry twice the weight in batteries to be able to extend their life. Is it worth it or not? I guess it depends on their cost and how much they weigh versus the cost of complete replacement if you go from 0 to 100% charge.

The discharge rate of the car battery is limited by the voltage.

The batteries are composed of a large number of smaller batteries that are about 6 to 7 volts each. Placed in series they amount to just over 200 volts, for a battery that is capable of discharging and recharging quickly, tailored to the particular current requirements of the electric motor.

As for the weight, they are light -- these are NiMH batteries, not lead-acid. The lithium batteries in the Volt are even lighter and more powerful, but they are unstable in comparison. The recharging and heat dissipation issues are significant development barriers.

[zipper]

I like this “personal windmill”.

It looks like the first two feet of the fan section of a DC-10 engine. And supposedly develops usable power with only about 2 MPH of wind. Produces about 15 percent of the average home’s energy requirements, according to Honeywell claims. And you can wire them in series for more.

http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx

[Sherman Logan]

Very interesting.

However, I’m just waiting for the first report of somebody frying himself with his solar or wind generated home electricity system.

[mo]

This geek here has an excellent article regarding federal gas tax revenue vs oil company profits.

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2005/10/gas_taxes_excee.html

Short take...federal gas tax revenue is SO profitable for the feds...exceeding even oil company profits per gallon of gas...we’ll never see much net change increase in the US fleet average...

[Freedom56v2]

Henderson conceded the cost of building a Volt will be expensive, about $40,000 per vehicle. But he said the vehicle will qualify for a $7,500 tax credit, which will reduce the vehicle cost by that amount for consumers.

---

Is this legal? Anti-trust? Based on what? All cars get this or just the Government motors vehicle?

[zipper]

Here’s another one on the Honeywell windmill. The interviewer has lost all his objectivity.

http://www.flixxy.com/home-wind-power-generator.htm