Posted on 02/22/2012 11:04:13 PM PST by Lmo56
General Motors and General Electric are two companies that have been in the political crosshairs lately. GM stands accused of “crony capitalism,” while GE is under fire for paying no Federal income taxes in 2010. The two companies share more than that though, with GE placing an order for 12,000 Chevy Volts and other hybrid vehicles.
A memo leaked to Green Car Reports lays out GE’s plans for their new fleet of Volts, and as expected, it has some people crying foul.
The memo, sent to employees of GE Healthcare Americas team explains that all sedan, crossover, and minivan purchases in 2012 will be replaced by the Chevy Volt. Only field engineers are excepted from having to drive a company Volt.
GE will offer estimates for installation Level 2 Charging Stations, though all-gas use will be allowed when there is no electric option. Any employees who opt out of the Volt program will not be compensated for their expenses. Those who do choose to drive the Volt will be reimbursed for public charging and home charging costs, in addition to gas uses.
While some people are probably put off by having to drive a Volt, GE claims to have crunched the numbers and believes that in the long term, this will save the multi-national company big bucks. More than that though, GE is positioning itself as a big player in the EV charging market. Getting employees into Volts also means getting charging stations into homes.
It’s a bold move to be sure, and it will hopefully prove to be a boon to the Volt’s flagging sales numbers. GM had hopped to sell as many as 60,000 Volts in 2012, before dropping that number to 45,000. Will they even make that number though? Hard to tell, though GE’s business will go a long way towards giving the Volt some sales momentum.
Recommends, but not requires. The engine computer will retard mentally challenge the timing for lower octane, which will reduce overall economy.
This article dances around the subject, but never actually mentions using regular gas: GM Says Chevy Volt Will Require Premium Gas; Fuel Costs 10% More Than Regular
This article does mention both can be used, but that regular will degrade mileage, and may cause more engine noise: Does the Chevy Volt Require Premium Fuel? Yes and No
Yes.
My local conservative radio host was saying this morning that GE is making their employees buy these cars for private use. So much misinformation out there.
No wonder people get turned off to politics and just give up.
They were built to run on it and something dreadful happens if they’re deprived.
Untrue. Use only the fuel recommended. Putting premium fuel in a car that requires only regular unleaded simply costs you more, and may actually reduce your mileage. The octane is higher, and the fuel will require higher temps/pressures to combust. In order to do this, the engine's computer will adjust the timing of the ignition and that may actually work against you in a car designed for regular alone.
Unless they actually call for premium in the manual, don't use it.
I have dusted off all my computer tools and converted my delivery van to a rolling computer/network shop. I contract with 3 different “markets” for work.
I stay plenty busy. I’m working on refreshing some of my credentials. Being MCSE certified from the windows 95 days does not really impress anyone anymore ;)
Mine does not (2012 Hyundai Accent). Supposedly gets 35-40 mpg on *regular* unleaded. Not sure if I believe that totally, so I'll be monitoring the fuel usage to see how accurate that is...
the infowarrior
My buddy has one. He lives about 15 miles from work. He bought his first tank of gasoline after 5 months of owning it. Gets to charge free @ work, probably on a charger paid for with “stim” funds, LOL.
Do you have any evidence that home insurance cos are charging extra?
You’re offering up facts again.
This isn’t allowed on FR when discussing the Volt, LOL.
That’s one reason I’m reluctant to send technically astute folks to FR. There is SO much misinformation and it is rarely challenged.
My Cruze runs on regular and it’s a turbo.
I'm kinda torn about the gov't getting involved with rebates/bailouts etc. Not for it and hope it is not the norm but the comparable cars by Nissan and others are getting the same rebates and subsidized by their own gov't.s
We are damned no matter what we do in this particular case.I don't want to see US industry(even GM) get behind other countries and have to buy their technology. I want US companies having the lead with patents and R&D.
Volt kinda reminds me of the 69 Zl-1 Camaro where the dealers where charged the full manufacturing cost of the day. ZL-1's were something like $8000 back then which was just insane.
I haven’t seen a car in a long time that runs on plain unleaded.
[but I’d never buy a *new* car so who knows what they need, nowadays]
I think my ‘73 Saab 96 will run on kerosene and lard but I’m not sure....;D
I hate to admit it but Hyundai makes some really nice vehicles.
Good to know they haven’t enslaved you to the highest gas prices possible.
:)
The PROBLEM is the battery technology - UNTIL they can develop a battery that gets say 3x the equivalent of a gallon of gas, it won't be there.
AND, that new technology IS NOT on the horizon yet ...
Bully for him. Truth is MOST people DON'T have that luzury ...
The average person has to shell out about $2500 for THEIR OWN 120V charger - but it takes 8 hours to charge. If they want a quicker charge, the 220V charger costs about $4000. And, these ARE NOT eligible for a government rebate ...
Going further, assuming your buddy's 30-mile round-trip per day and a 1-gallon equivalent for the battery, it requires almost a FULL charge of the battery per day.
Your buddy might even EXCEED the battery's charge if he uses the heater and/or AC [depending on the temp]. BTW, BOTH the heater and the AC SUCK in the Volt anyway. And, if he likes to listen to the radio - and God forbid it is snowing or raining - gotta use the wipers. And, lets not forget the headlights ...
Tests have shown that using the heater, radio, headlights, and the wipers when it is raining on a cold day REDUCES the battery's gas equivalent to about 20 MPG ...
Assuming a 20-day work month, and 30 miles round-trip per day, that is 600 miles. If it costs $4 a day to charge the battery, that is $80 per month.
In contrast, gas [at $4 per gallon] yields 20 gallons. My car gets 40 MPG, so I get 800 miles for the same price as the Volt. I also got 33% MORE miles to play with for the same cost ...
One last thing, hopefully you don't live in an area where there is teenage vandalism - having an outside charger/cord is just INVITING trouble ...
except in his example he is only paying for gas. Not the electricity. Making his volt cheaper (for him) to operate.
Someone is picking up the tab for the electricity used to recharge that volt. If it’s his employeer that cost is sent on to the customers of that company.
If it’s paid for with tax dollars I’d like to know where he is so I can properly bill him.
Matter of fact, I don’t care WHO is paying for the electricity. He’s not paying his “fair share” of the road use tax. Where is he? I have a bill for him.
having an outside charger/cord is just INVITING trouble He raises Rottweilers. Doesn’t seem to have home security issues.
Call me clueless but I don’t understand your comment??
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