Tag Archives: Chevrolet Volt

29Jul 2011

Solar-powered electric charging stations for Chevrolet Volts coming to North America

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Chevrolet Volt
Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

July 29, 2011, DETROIT, (Coal Geology): Chevrolet is harnessing the power of the sun to install solar-powered electric charging stations for its Volts at dealerships in North America. The Green Zone initiative will generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day and excess electricity created will help supplement the dealership’s power needs.

“The Chevrolet Green Zone will provide our U.S. dealers with added flexibility when it comes to charging their vehicles, while also reinforcing GM’s commitment to renewable energy projects,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy.

American Chevrolet in Modesto, Calif., and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Mich., are the first U.S. dealerships to complete their solar charging capability by installing Green Zones on their property.

“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” said Joe Serra, president of Serra Automotive. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.”

Each canopy generates enough electricity for up to 4,500 charges per vehicle annually. The proof of concept for the Green Zone project is housed at the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant, manufacturing home of the Volt.

“The beauty of this program is that there is no capital cost required from the dealership,” said Dave Halvorson, president of American Chevrolet in Modesto. “Not only do we generate the solar energy to increase our reliance on renewable electricity, but the Green Zone is a billboard of our commitment to the environment.”

The Chevy Green Zone Initiative is part of GM Ventures’ recent announcement to invest $7.5 million in Sunlogics, a solar panel manufacturing and development company that will supply the panels and install the dealer charging stations. Both American Chevrolet and Al Serra Chevrolet partnered with Sunlogics for installation of their Green Zones.

“Just one of these canopies provides enough renewable energy to power two to three homes per year, or more than 25 percent of a dealership’s energy consumption,” said Perry. “Collectively, that will be a lot of power we are putting back into the grid.”

As part of the GM Ventures investment announcement in Sunlogics, General Motors committed to double its solar output globally – from 30 megawatts to 60 megawatts by 2015. The company derives 1.4 percent of its U.S. energy consumption from renewable resources.

GM is the leading user of renewable energy in automotive manufacturing. It has three of the largest automotive rooftop solar power installations in the United States, and the world’s largest rooftop solar installation at its car assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Additionally, GM has started construction on a new solar field at its Detroit-Hamtramck facility and completed construction on a solar array on top of its Baltimore Operations facility.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

About Sunlogics

Sunlogics PLC is a vertically-integrated global solar energy systems provider specializing in solar project development and installation.  Sunlogics has a strategic partnership with Sunlogics Power Management Fund Inc (SLMU:US) and with other entities for the purpose of owning and operating solar projects developed by Sunlogics PLC. The scope of the company’s current projects and operations reach to the nations of the world including Canada, United States, Europe and China. More information can be found at www.sunlogics.com.

SOURCE General Motors

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional media information visit http://media.gm.com.
CONTACT: Sharon Basel, GM Communications, Energy & Environment, sharon.basel@gm.com, +1-313-378-6647 (cell), or Rob Peterson, Chevrolet Volt Communications, robert.d.peterson@gm.com, +1-313-402-6326 (cell)

Web Site: http://media.gm.com

26Apr 2011

Green Car 2011 Chevrolet Volt Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

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April 26, 2011, DETROIT, (Coal Geology) – The 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended-range capability has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, achieving “good” scores in four types of crash tests and offering crash-avoiding electronic stability control.

The IIHS tests vehicles to determine how well they protect occupants in front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and simulated rear impacts to evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries..

“Safety remains one of the most important factors buyers weigh when purchasing a vehicle,” said Doug Parks, Volt global vehicle line executive.  “The IIHS designation reiterates the Volt as a safe, practical vehicle that can be a family’s only car – without compromises.”

Safety features on the Volt include:

StabiliTrak electronic stability control
Front side, knee and full-length side curtain airbags
LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for Children)
Five-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections Plan including Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation

Because the Volt operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.

With this rating, the Volt joins the Chevrolet Cruze, another small car that recently earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

SOURCE General Motors
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional media information visit http://media.gm.com.

CONTACT: Rob Peterson, Volt Communications, robert.d.peterson@gm.com, +1-313-402-6326

Web Site: http://www.chevrolet.com

14Apr 2011

Chevrolet Volt wins AEI’s Best Engineered Vehicle of 2011 award

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April 14, 2011, WARRENDALE, Pa., (Coal Geology) – The readers and editors of SAE International’s Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine have selected the 2011 Chevrolet Volt as the “Best Engineered Vehicle of 2011.” The announcement was made during the SAE 2011 World Congress, April 12-14, in Detroit, Mich.

“The selection of the Volt as the 2011 Best Engineered Vehicle by our peers is an honor,” said Doug Parks, Vehicle Line Executive for the Chevrolet Volt.  “This award validates the hard work and effort of the engineering team to deliver a truly transformational vehicle.”

The “2011 Best Engineered Vehicle” award highlights the innovative engineering that resulted in the production of the world’s first electric vehicle with extended range capability. With a full charge, Volt drivers will are able to go up to 40 miles completely emissions- and gasoline-free and then continue for several hundred more miles.

Complementing its groundbreaking propulsion system, the Volt offers an equally revolutionary design that emphasizes a wheels-out, body-in stance to make a dynamic and sleek statement. Further, the aerodynamicists in GM’s wind tunnel worked with the design and engineering teams to develop the most aerodynamic vehicle in Chevrolet’s history. By reducing the energy needed to overcome air resistance, the vehicle’s sleek design contributes an estimated eight miles of electric range and up to 40 miles of extended range.

SAE International membership chose from a list of candidates selected by the AEI’s editorial team based around the world. The list of candidates included the Nissan Leaf, BMW 5 Series, Kia Optima and Volkswagen Jetta among others.  SAE membership selected the Best Engineered Vehicle based on the same criteria typically used in vehicle development programs: commonality, flexibility, cost, innovation, package efficiency, powertrain performance, chassis systems, interior accommodations, occupant safety and engineering benchmark.

This is the eleventh year of the AEI “Best Engineered Vehicle” award.

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International’s core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International’s charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.

- www.sae.org -

CONTACT: Shawn Andreassi of SAE International, 1-724-772-8522 or pr@sae.org

SOURCE SAE International

Web Site: http://www.sae.org

10Apr 2011

Chevrolet Volt: the first mass-produced, plug-in hybrid from General Motors (NYSE: GM)

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Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

April 10, 2011, (Coal Geology): The Chevy Volt is the first mass-produced, purpose-built, plug-in hybrid from a major manufacturer. The Volt is an electric car, so its batteries can be charged when it is plugged into an outlet, but The Volt also carries a small gasoline-powered engine on board to charge the batteries, should a longer range be required. A Volt driver need not compromise on comfort features-the Volt is equipped similarly to other mid-size sedans.

With the latest ECO FRIENDLY trend all over the globe, VOLT sure seems to enjoy bright future.

The Volt represents cutting-edge technology in electric and hybrid vehicle design. This car was intended to include all the modern safety and convenience features expected from a 4-seat hatchback, and as a result, the MSRP of the Volt seems steep. However, some estimates have placed the cost-per-mile at only 2 cents. Volt buyers may be able to take advantage of federal and state tax credits as well, making this revolutionary car more affordable than its base price suggests.

If you own a Chevrolet Volt, please check out all VOLT accessories and Parts online.

The Chevy Volt is GM’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. It carries a bank of lithium-ion batteries underneath as its primary fuel source. The batteries can be charged by plugging them in overnight, and can provide a range of 40 miles. Should the driver require a longer range, an on-board 1.4L 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine automatically starts up to generate additional energy. A regenerative braking system provides additional charging whenever the vehicle slows.

The Volt is capable of a top speed of 100 mph, making it suitable for highway driving. Like all electric cars, the Volt has lots of torque right from the get-go, making for quick starts and fun driving. Driving at faster speeds and flooring it at every red light as well as steep hills will all reduce that 40-mile electric-only range.

Chevrolet understands that an electric car will only be successful if drivers and passengers don’t feel compromised by the experience. The Volt comes with a standard eight air bags, which includes a knee bag for the driver as well as side curtains for all passengers. Navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth and remote keyless entry are all standard equipment. A standard cargo cover keeps the 10.6 cubic-foot trunk hidden.

GM’s OnStar system is included for five years. An energy-efficient Bose sound system is also included and includes a 30GB hard drive and USB port. This system uses less energy than other stereo systems, allowing more power to be utilized at the wheels. Leather seats are even available for a little touch of luxury. A rear camera and park-assist system are also optional, as are heated front seats.