Official Volt photos

[Dr Mordrid]

That would be correct - the electric drive has priority with some charging also coming from the regenerative brakes.

[Nowhere]

400v would be a big problem in most American homes.
Problems ranging from lack of code compliance to no reasonable way to get a 400v supply line to the house.

In home, sure, I imagine such outlets can't be placed in living space of houses. But Doc apparently has one in garage...

And I'm not sure how it is in US (I'd be surprised if its different), but afaik connecting "high voltage/amperage" outlet is mostly a matter of connecting in a specific way phases that are present anyway/supply lines can handle it.

Anyway, I guess it would be good if makers of electric vehicles allowed also this option...though it would add to complexity of car installation (and even weight, those plugs/outlets are big/heavy with v. thick cables...)

[Nowhere]

That would be correct - the electric drive has priority with some charging also coming from the regenerative brakes.

I was under the impression that such description greatly simplifies things? (especially since, as I understand, electric motor has much higher peak power than generator?)

[Dr Mordrid]

The peak power of the motor is very high, but it will only use that in bursts and there are ways to cover those. 98% of the time it'll be running at a small fraction of its rated power. A good indication that they have things in hand is that the Volt mules (test vehicles with a Malibu body) show it capable of climbing the road up Pikes Peak.

[Marshmallowman]

Well in OZ we have 440 volt 3 phase, while its usually industrial , it is used in homes quite a bit. Think electric stoves, air conditioners..etc.

I actual have 3 phase hooked up to my house.

[cjolley]

By far the most common house supply in the US is 2-phase 220v.
A single side @110 goes to the normal lamp plugs etc, with both sides @220 for stoves, dryers, heaters, and such.
Usually, in areas with overhead supply lines, there is a 440 set above the 220 lines for transition purposes. This is taken down to 220 by transformers on the poles.
Connecting to the 440 lines would be a big deal and cost thousands of dollars, requiring new service lines, meter, breaker panel, etc, etc.
Retro fitting buried service would be even more complex and expensive.
IF you could get the electric company to agree to it.

It wouldn't add that much if it was new work. But why bother?

@ Doc: What on Earth do you supply with 440 (480?) volts in a US home?

[Tjalfe]

I thought the US power distribution to be more or less identical to ours, and I have not seen any 3 phase house supplies here.. we have what is basically a center tap transformer, which gives us 240V between the outside arms, and two "phases" of 120V between an arm and the center tap, which is the neutral. Big devices gets the 240V, most everything else gets 120V, usually with a 15A breaker. Normal houses gets 100A service, that is 100A on the 240V, bigger houses have 200A, and really big mansions and such have 400A or bigger. I don't believe Dr. Mordids house is any indication of what is normal.

[cjolley]

You are right. It's 2-phase 220 volt.
Three wires: a hot pair with 220v across them (2 phases) and a neutral with 110 between either phase and the neutral.

And, I think, the 440 above is also 2-phase.

[Jammrock]

I've actually been thinking about putting in 220 V outlets for my next house for my computers and a server closet. AnandTech, which I know is hated by many here, did a really good write up about power supplies and power lately. Good read:

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3413

[cjolley]

Back to the Volt:
Doc, what is the price going to be?
I read 40k somewhere. Is that true?

[Dr Mordrid]

@ Doc: What on Earth do you supply with 440 (480?) volts in a US home?

A welder and a big MF'ing V-twin air compressor. MORE P0WER!! ARF ARF ARF

Back to the Volt:
Doc, what is the price going to be?
I read 40k somewhere. Is that true?

Rumor is initially around $40k with a big part of that a battery that will get cheaper over time due to the efficiency of scale and coming tech improvements, but understand that there are going to be big tax credits for EV's from both the states and the feds.

Also understand that many manufacturers and finance companies will be very likely be doing what solar installers already do: give you the tax credit at the time of sale and you sign a paper allowing them to collect it when you file your tax return.

The lowest number I've heard for the federal credit is $5,000 with many congressmen wanting it to be $7,500 or more. Add that to what the states do and it takes the pocket price down considerably.

[cjolley]

Rumor is initially around $40k...


...Add that to what the states do and it takes the pocket price down considerably.

Hmmm...

I seem to remember from when we did our calcs for our Civic Hybrid that Oklahoma's law was worded in an odd way that might make the rebate here for an all electric car really enormous if they don't change the law.
Must look that up again...

Otherwise 40k sounds just suicidal.

[Nowhere]

Why?

It's a typical price of good compact car here, and Volt looks like belonging to this class.
(yeah, I'm just bitter of beeing ripped off typically...)

[Dr Mordrid]

Otherwise 40k sounds just suicidal.

$40k (IF it's that high) minus whatever the state credit is plus a $5000-$7500 federal credit would bring it down a lot closer to $32k, and I've seen some real low-tech, low mileage POS's at that price.

[cjolley]

...closer to $32k, and I've seen some real low-tech, low mileage POS's at that price.

For instance?
Not arguing, curious.