If this report was about the electronics supply chain EBM would be tearing one apart to determine what electronic components were used in its construction not driving it around and telling us how comfortable it may be, how it handles, what kind of range it has on its batteries, what mileage it get on the highway, etc.
@Bolaji, thank you for not deleting my post. I debated about abbreviating my "Where's The Facts?" subject line but I figured I'd get more attention with the abbreviation.
I've become increasingly irritated with the poor quality of reporting of all types. We live in a world with so much deception, distortion and "spinning" of facts. And other than the political arena, the renewable energy-efficiency-emissions world seems to be one of the worst. Those of us that don't know first-hand must rely on reporting and the reporters that do it to it to provide the facts and the truth.
GM marketed this hybrid as an electric car with, from an engineering standpoint, an impossible range, for years before its release and I couldn't wait to see how they did it - they didn't.
Ok, maybe I'm naive, maybe that is what is expected from marketing efforts today but, when I read on an EBM post, EBM a place where I thought I found a shelter from nonsense, a small bastion of truthfulness, a place where I thought reason reigned, when I read about GM's Volt "electric" car, I was so upset, disappointed and dejected I had to comment.
Please, please don't call it an electric car. Call it a hybrid, call it a plug-in hybrid, call it a plug-in hybrid with a big, big battery but don't buy into and perpetuate the lie, please tell us the truth.
I've driven several electric cars and love the silent operation, the total lack of engine vibration and the "whoosh" feeling of the off-the-line acceleration, if the suspension is right, it's like riding a flying carpet. I look forward to your report.
Perhaps a little off-topic, but has anyone analyzed the potential impact of electric and electric-hybrid vehicles on the supply grid and existing infrastrucure? I know that one of the arguments is that the vehicles will be charged at night during low demand times, but I'm not sure that is a realisitic expectation, unless the miles between charges becomes much higher. Obviously, hybrids would be less of an issue than full electric vehicles.
@Kevin, I was tempted to delete your comment after seeing the "WTF" subject line but I thought I should leave it just this once. On EBN, we don't accept swear words and we don't encourage foul words or name calling. Please don't use these on this site again.
As to the points you raised in your comments, the Chevy Volt runs on both gas and battery and you'll find the reference in Tony Masimini's article referenced in my blog. I didn't need to repeat what has already been extensively covered here already. I learned decades ago that the "best advertising for a product is the product itself," as a former lecturer once said. Hype has a way of getting uncovered. I am interested in sharing with EBN readers details about the Chevy Volt's onroad performance. I am not going to do that before I get inside the vehicle. If you have already driven or bought a Chevy Volt or have other first hand experience about it, please share that with us.
I think this post is more about the opportunities for the electronic supply chain than the sale of GM Volt alone. The issue of hybrid vs electric car manufacturing is not a debate that the industry cares about. The opportunities offered by the manufacturing of these vehicles is what I believe Bolaji is inviting the audience to.
I hear your concerns about clean air, enviromental pollution etc, but cars on gasoline emit CO2 too, even though you can get a better mileage as you stated. We can go into a long debate about how to limit emissions and other public health and environmental concerns. But that will be outside of the realm of EBN in this particular forum.
I hate to be negetive but in the California I've seen two plug in stations at golf course I play at. I haven't seen any signs for plug station when I'm driving around.
I hope on your trip you don't run in to any areas that have power outages, like we have in California every once in a while.
As far as elecric cars in India I'm sure they have the infrastucture to support electic car's?
Despite GM's insistence, it's not an electric car, it's a hybrid. If you want to call it a "plug-in hybrid" that's fine. But, I am disappointed that a reporter for what I thought was a technically oriented organization like EBN can't distinguish the difference between marketing hype and reality. GM can call it what they wish but you should call it what it is - the Volt Hybrid.
For $45K I can get two cars with better highway mileage and improved amenities.
If you want to save the world from CO2 don't forget that, in much of the US, electric and plug-in hybrids generate more CO2 emissions than regular hybrids because of the coal burned to create the electricity they are charged with (The dirty truth about plug-in hybrids - Scientific American).
So, we have a somewhat interesting car that is for wealthy early adopters and ignorant environmentalists.
With the fuel prices in India are higher than any other countries in the world this kind of a powerful electric car would be welcome. But the cost should be reduced in a big way to attract the customers here. REVA, which makes electric cars in India is acquired by Mahindra and would be launching the latest models in the next two years. These models would be much cost competetive than the volt.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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