Chevy'S EFLEX drive system

This is what Chevy is trying to introduce to the market...

What do you think??

The E-Flex Drive System - What It Is And How It Works

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Concept Volt utilizes the GM-patented E-Flex Propulsion System to bring you an electric drive vehicle that can run on various sources of energy. Itconsists of: a.. Electric drive system b.. Range extender: 53 kW direct engine-mounted generator and 3-cylinder 1.0L Turbocharged, intercooled internal combustion engine c.. Dual (left- and right-side) charge ports d.. Onboard battery pack e.. 12-gallon fuel saddle tank Running Gas-FreeConcept Volt uses an E-Flex Propulsion System to run gasoline-free. A 16 kW hour lithium ion battery connects to a 53 kW direct engine-mounted generator. This powers the electric Traction System which in turn drivesthe wheels.Recharging There are two charge ports: one on each side between the front door and front wheel. To recharge, simply plug Volt into a 110-volt, 15-amp outlet - the same kind you have in your home. It takes about six to six-and-a-half hours to fully recharge. Then you can drive up to 40-miles on pure electricity. Charging As You Go If your battery needs to be charged while driving, the generator willautomatically work with the

1.0L Turbocharged gas engine to begin rechargingthe battery pack when depleted. It all happens seamlessly while you're concentrating on getting to your destination. Quick Charge If you don't have the time to leave Concept Volt plugged in to fully recharge or don't have access to an outlet, the vehicle can also begin to charge itself while in PARK with the engine running. The range-extending engine and generator will do all the work. Using Fuel An onboard 3-cylinder 1.0L Turbocharged, intercooled internal combustion engine allows you to keep driving when your electric battery needs to be recharged. This range extender can be configured to run on gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. The model shown will use gasoline or E85 interchangeably and can hold up to 12 gallons of fuel.Additional Benefits a.. 120-kW electric motor is equivalent to a 160-hp engine b.. Instantaneous torque in electric mode means acceleration faster than traditional torque curve in certain gasoline-powered engines c.. 0-60 in 8 to 8.5 seconds d.. Battery life is about 10 years

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Generated by pure coal, oil or natural gas.

Actually, you won't have a concept Volt. It is a concept car, not a real car.

I have never heard of an engine that will run on gasoline and biodiesel. It may be that there is more than one engine choice. But, then again, it is a concept car. They can say it is nuclear powered (although Bush can't pronounce "nuclear") if they want.

kW and HP are just different units of power. Not sure what this means, considering that the electric motor is 53 kW.

What about other gasoline engines?

Based on what?

The concept is good. It is basically the same concept that NJ Transit uses in its diesel engines for trains: An engine that drives a generator that powers a motor that turns the wheels.

What's different is that electricity is stored in batteries, that there is regenerative braking (I would think) and that you can use coal, natural gas or oil to power the car instead of diesel, biodiesel or gasoline for at least the first 40 miles. Oh, and that NJ Transit, thanks to Alstrom, who makes their locomotives, actually has working models of their diesel-electric hybrid (as well as diesel hybrid buses).

Jeff

It would be a good idea if Chevy could sell it today or even in the next few years. If it takes longer to get to market, other automakers may already be further ahead.

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Reading carefully, the on-board generator is 53kW. The article didn't say the motor was 120kW but implies it here.

On to what I think:

It's vaporware. If Toyota would hold still for 10 years, Chevy could bring out something competitive. Toyota doesn't seem to be inclined to cooperate that way.

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You mean like this vaporware:

Jeff

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Actually, no. That vehicle (the link goes to Toyota's CS&S two-seat hybrid concept) uses a powertrain that Toyota has in production today. On the 'ware scale, I'd say this vehicle comes in somewhere much more substantial than "mistware" or "fogware" but still less firm than "hardware." "Liquidware" or maybe even "slurryware."

Exactly. Until I see one for sale at the dealer it is another empty promise from GM.