Chevrolet Volt Unveiled! (Production Pics)

[Eye of the Tiger]

A power converter will probably not help since the transformer input will still be 110V. The Amperes would most likely be to high for a residential power supply.

What if somebody bought their own gas-powered electric generator that ran at 240? 

[Galaxy]

What if somebody bought their own gas-powered electric generator that ran at 240? 

In that case you might as well dump the generator gas into the volt. It will probably charge it's battery more efficiently then the external generator.  

[93JC]

Opel will also be getting the Volt. Since our version will run on 240V that will cut charging time in half compared to the north american 110V version

That doesn't make any sense. The only way to make it charge twice as fast is to draw twice as much power from the electrical grid. I sincerely doubt that European wall outlets provide twice the available power as North American ones.

(And even then there are North American household circuits using 240 V.)

[Galaxy]

That doesn't make any sense. The only way to make it charge twice as fast is to draw twice as much power from the electrical grid. I sincerely doubt that European wall outlets provide twice the available power as North American ones.

(And even then there are North American household circuits using 240 V.)

If you double the voltage, you draw half the current to achieve the same power.

[93JC]

No shit. The question is do typical European circuits use 15 A breakers like they do here?

[Galaxy]

No shit. The question is do typical European circuits use 15 A breakers like they do here?

Standard is 25A. You can get 40A.

[93JC]

What?! A standard household circuit is 230 V/25 A?!

I thought North Americans were supposed to be the world's energy wasters and you effete Europeans needed to teach us a thing or five about conserving energy. What the hell do you need 5.75 kW circuits for anyway?

[SVT666]

What?! A standard household circuit is 230 V/25 A?!

I thought North Americans were supposed to be the world's energy wasters and you effete Europeans needed to teach us a thing or five about conserving energy. What the hell do you need 5.75 kW circuits for anyway?

Charging their cars twice as fast.

[Galaxy]

What?! A standard household circuit is 230 V/25 A?!

I thought North Americans were supposed to be the world's energy wasters and you effete Europeans needed to teach us a thing or five about conserving energy. What the hell do you need 5.75 kW circuits for anyway?

In most cases it is not needed and 16 A breakers (which one can also get) would be enough. Since the price difference between a 16A and 25A breaker is insignificant I guess it makes sense to buy the 25A one, just in case someone wants to run the electric high pressure washer, the vacuum cleaner and the washing mashine at the same time. 

The only devices I know of that need a 40 A breaker are what we call durchlauferhitzer. The work like electric boilers, but they do not have a tank. They heat the water instantaneously as it runs through the mashine. The where quite popular for a while when people added a bath room since adding new water piping through our brike walls is cost prohibitive. Well at least it was at current energy prices it makes more sense to break out the hammer drill.

[SVT666]

In most cases it is not needed and 16 A breakers (which one can also get) would be enough. Since the price difference between a 16A and 25A breaker is insignificant I guess it makes sense to buy the 25A one, just in case someone wants to run the electric high pressure washer, the vacuum cleaner and the washing mashine at the same time. 

The only devices I know of that need a 40 A breaker are what we call durchlauferhitzer. The work like electric boilers, but they do not have a tank. They heat the water instantaneously as it runs through the mashine. The where quite popular for a while when people added a bath room since adding new water piping through our brike walls is cost prohibitive. Well at least it was at current energy prices it makes more sense to break out the hammer drill.

I have an instant water heater in my house, but it burns natural gas.  I love it.

[Galaxy]

I have an instant water heater in my house, but it burns natural gas.  I love it.

Yup, those make more sense. However we did not get access to a large natrual gas supply until the iron curtain fell plus you would also have the problem with the walls.

In retrospect buying russian gas was not a very good thing. 

[93JC]

In most cases it is not needed and 16 A breakers (which one can also get) would be enough. Since the price difference between a 16A and 25A breaker is insignificant I guess it makes sense to buy the 25A one, just in case someone wants to run the electric high pressure washer, the vacuum cleaner and the washing mashine at the same time. 

Out of one outlet?!

You guys are crazy.

The only devices I know of that need a 40 A breaker are what we call durchlauferhitzer.

Some of us have 240V/50A for clothes dryers, ovens and hot water tanks or heaters.

[Soup DeVille]

WTF. Can people get voltage converter things to turn into 240?

American houses are generally wired with 220/240, with a central neutral.Wiring an outlet for 240 in your garage would be no big problem.

[Soup DeVille]

In most cases it is not needed and 16 A breakers (which one can also get) would be enough. Since the price difference between a 16A and 25A breaker is insignificant I guess it makes sense to buy the 25A one, just in case someone wants to run the electric high pressure washer, the vacuum cleaner and the washing mashine at the same time. 

The price difference isn't in the breaker: it's in the wire gauge used to feed the outlet.

[93JC]

[Galaxy]

The price difference isn't in the breaker: it's in the wire gauge used to feed the outlet.

True, especially with the price of copper having gone through the roof. Of the top of my head I do not know how thick our cables are.

Eastern Germany used aluminum cables during the dark ages. Casued some house fires I would guess. 

[Soup DeVille]

True, especially with the price of copper having gone through the roof. Of the top of my head I do not know how thick our cables are.

Eastern Germany used aluminum cables during the dark ages. Casued some house fires I would guess. 

I don't know european sizes, except they're all in millimeters (I should, but I don't), but in the US, that would be the difference between 14 gauge and 10 gauge. I think I have a conversion chart down in my toolbox.

[Galaxy]

American houses are generally wired with 220/240, with a central neutral.Wiring an outlet for 240 in your garage would be no big problem.

The feed that goes into the house here is 400/230.

[Soup DeVille]

The feed that goes into the house here is 400/230.

That must be a 3-phase system then.

And french 3-phase is 380, canadian is 575...

[93JC]

We have 480 V and 600 V 3-phase too.

[Soup DeVille]

We have 480 V and 600 V 3-phase too.

Fine. Standardization. Learn up on it, ya canuckies.

[gasoline]

Stop!

[Madman]

Anyone notice how they used black trim below the windows to disguise that insanely high beltline?



Rear three-quarter visability is sure to be awful, just like most modern cars.

As far as the whole 110v/220v charging issue, American houses are equipped with 220 volt outlets.  (electric cookers, clothes dryers and the like)  It wouldn't be very difficult to install another 220v outlet in an existing home.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[nickdrinkwater]

Anyone notice how they used black trim below the windows to disguise that insanely high beltline?

Yeah.  Looks rubbish.

I feel the car will look better in darker colours, such as navy.

[Rich]

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=185021

[hotrodalex]

Anyone notice how they used black trim below the windows to disguise that insanely high beltline?



Rear three-quarter visability is sure to be awful, just like most modern cars.

As far as the whole 110v/220v charging issue, American houses are equipped with 220 volt outlets.  (electric cookers, clothes dryers and the like)  It wouldn't be very difficult to install another 220v outlet in an existing home.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

I'm not sure if that's the main reason. It could just be the run-off from the black "Volt" badge.

[hotrodalex]

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=185021

"We'll be able to leave your Volt in a sunny parking lot for 2 weeks and you'll get a charge"

[Atomic]

i am not crazy about it's looks, but it should sell quite well IF people buy into the concept - just like with the prius when brand new.

[Rich]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q4/2011_chevrolet_volt-feature_test 


C&D got a full test in

[Atomic]

the pics at the top of a snazzy blue volt look awesome, but every close-up i have seen thus far makes the car look hideous. i am hoping it depends on color.