Wally Edgar CHEVROLET -- GM & OPEL Ramp Up Volt's Voltec Powertrain Again

Sept. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- METRO DETROIT CHEVROLET DEALER

GM has just revealed an exciting new vehicular application for it’s Voltec extended range electric car propulsion system which is found in the Chevy Volt.

Opel will be exhibiting the new Vivaro e-Concept extended range electric cargo van concept at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover on September 23rd.

The cargo van is intended for commercial use and for operators who would like to limit petroleum consumption. It has 5 cubic meters of cargo space and can carry a payload up to 750 kg. It is designed for use in inner city transport and delivery.

The lithium ion battery pack is floor-mounted, and the van can travel for up to 60 miles purely on electricity. For drives longer than that, the gas-powered range extender would kick in allowing a maximum range of 400 km (250 miles).

“We would like to test the acceptance of our advanced propulsion technology by showing the Vivaro e-Concept to the commercial vehicle specialists attending the show,” says Chris Lacey, Executive Director, International Operations Opel/Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles. “We are convinced that we will get a fantastic reaction from the people who use such vehicles on a daily basis: Electric mobility will allow them to travel in city areas which are now off-limits to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the range-extender technology makes it possible to use an electric van for normal routine business.”

I asked the following questions about the van of GM spokesperson Randal Fox:

Is Vivaro a new brand?
Vivaro is a brand name for Opel and is not new.

Are there working prototypes?
There are no immediate plans to build prototypes. We want to listen to feedback from fair visitors and competitive van users and once the research is completed, we’ll decide what the next steps should be.

How large is the lithium ion battery pack in kwh?
This is a concept vehicle and at this early stage we cannot disclose battery details for competitive reasons. It has similar technology as the Opel Ampera, but now in a commercial application.

Could this come to US?
There are no plans to build this concept vehicle or bring it to the U.S.


SOURCE: GM VOLT
Posted by Carl

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