I bought a Chevrolet Volt recently.

[Anorak]

The Volt appears to have a glow plug light at the bottom of the indicator lights on the right of the speedo. It's visible if you shine a flashlight on it.

[Yamarocket630]

Has it caught fire yet?

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by Yamarocket630

Has it caught fire yet?

Yes, after I crash tested it to the point that it was destroyed and let it sit for three weeks without draining the coolant which is the protocol after a crash.

[DriveShaft]

There's a brand spankin' new charging station in the parking deck where I work that appears to be made for just anyone who happens to want to park their electric car there. Haven't seen a single car using it yet. Will be interesting to see if that changes as more of these make their way east coast.

It's apparently getting a cousin in the GM line-up in 2013.

[mark883]

Saw one of the ELR test vehicles about a month ago on the Ohio Turnpike. Going the other way, so no way to get a pic. Looked good, even in the splattered cow stealth wrap.

Also, GM is getting their fully electric Spark ready. Hopefully, GM has recaptured their desire to be on the cutting edge. Its been missing and not in action for several decades.

[MrBob]

Originally Posted by Anorak

The Volt appears to have a glow plug light at the bottom of the indicator lights on the right of the speedo. It's visible if you shine a flashlight on it.

So, what's the story on this?

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by MrBob

So, what's the story on this?

I don't know. I can't find any reference to it. Perhaps the warning light assembly is shared with another vehicle with a diesel option.

[a1fa]

That will be awesome combo.. diesel hybrid. I remember seeing a few articles about Chevy Cruz getting a small diesel power plant..

[Bueller]

Instrument clusters often have a variety of additional spots that aren't used in specific applications.

Considering the typical engine duty cycle in a volt it is a less than ideal diesel platform.

[a1fa]

Originally Posted by Bueller

Considering the typical engine duty cycle in a volt it is a less than ideal diesel platform.

What do you mean? They don't make gasoline hybrid trains.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by a1fa

What do you mean? They don't make gasoline hybrid trains.

I mean the frequent on/off duty cycle of the engine in the environments in which the volt shines really aren't the best venue for a diesel. Diesels (almost all of which are turbocharged in modern automotive applications) do best when started and run through complete warm up and cool down cycles. Frequent start/stop operations aren't as good for a turbo diesel. A normally aspirated gasoline engine isn't nearly as adversely affected by this operation, and tends to warm up faster than a comparably performing diesel.

[Tweaker]

The ideal setup in most hybrids so far has been a naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle. Simpler, lighter and about as efficient as the diesel cycle just down on power. Electric boost takes care of that problem and at cruising speed we don't need much power. Toyota and Ford have both gone this route. Some wonder if GM will do the same in Volt 2.0. VW tho has gone whole hog with a new gas engine with all the goodies. Beats the TDI in combined mileage by 25% without loss of performance.
A diesel in the volt would have little benefit. Since it rarely drives the wheels, the torque benefit is lost. More weight for what?

[MrBob]

This is an interesting solution to the the upcoming problem of what to do with used electric auto batteries.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...car-batteries/

"Imagine a future in which old electric-car batteries are deployed in neighborhoods as energy-storage systems that guard against power outages, while paving the way for wind and solar power—and more electric cars. The idea has moved one step closer with the demonstration of a boxy unit of used Chevy Volt batteries capable of providing enough electricity to power three to five average American homes for up to two hours."

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by Bueller

I mean the frequent on/off duty cycle of the engine in the environments in which the volt shines really aren't the best venue for a diesel. Diesels (almost all of which are turbocharged in modern automotive applications) do best when started and run through complete warm up and cool down cycles. Frequent start/stop operations aren't as good for a turbo diesel. A normally aspirated gasoline engine isn't nearly as adversely affected by this operation, and tends to warm up faster than a comparably performing diesel.

The Volt runs the I.c. engine when the battery is discharged to the safe limit. So, it won't run intermittently when it is used. The Volt also has logic that allows the engine to come up to temperature when it runs.

[vtwin]

A, what did the Volt cost you? Wondering if maybe the Volt is right for us, or pay less and get the Jetta TDI Sportwagon.