GM Voltec powertrain

Voltec, formerly known as E-Flex, is a General Motors powertrain released in November 2010. The Voltec architecture is primarily a plug-in capable, battery-dominant electric vehicle with additional fossil fuel powered series and parallel hybrid capabilities.[1][2]

GM Voltec platform
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Also calledE-Flex
Production2010–present
Body and chassis
ClassExtended-Range EV (EREV)
VehiclesChevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, Holden Volt, Opel Ampera, Vauxhall Ampera

Voltec vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt are all electrically driven, feature common drivetrain components, and will be able to create electricity on board using either a fuel cell or a gasoline motor to generate electricity. Regenerative braking contributes to the on-board electricity generation.

Voltec is a portmanteau word from Volt, Vortec and technology.

Drivetrain

The Voltec drivetrain was initially demonstrated as E-Flex in the 2007 Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle that appeared in the North American International Auto Show[1][3][4] which introduced the E-Flex drive system as an attempt to standardize many components of possible future electrically propelled vehicles, and to allow multiple interchangeable electricity-generating systems.[5] The initial design as envisioned in the Volt combines an electric motor and 16 kWh (58 MJ) lithium-ion battery plug-in system[4][6] with a small engine (1.4 liter) powered by gasoline linked to a 55 kW (74 hp) generator. The initial production Volt was propelled by an electric motor with a peak output of 111 kW (149 hp). Ordinarily, the Volt charged while at home overnight (plug-in hybrid-mode) through a charging port.[7] A full charge reportedly takes 10-12 hours from a standard North American 120 V, 15 A household outlet, or 4 hours from a 240 V 15 A SAE J1772 electrical vehicle supply. The Refreshed 2016 Volt featured a 1.5L I4 engine generator that runs on regular, rather than premium gasoline, and an upgraded battery pack giving about 52 miles per charge vs. the 1st generation's 41 .

Since the electrical drivetrain is not affected by the method used to charge the batteries, several options could be available for acting as an electrical power source. The primary configuration originally specified in the Volt promotional literature used a turbocharged 1.0-liter engine with three cylinders, a flex-fuel engine capable of running gasoline or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), although this engine never made it to production vehicles.

Other engine-driven power options mentioned were a pure ethanol (E100) engine, a diesel engine capable of running biodiesel fuel, or even a hydrogen fuel cell, once that technology becomes practical. (The Ford Airstream concept, which debuted at the same show, uses a fuel cell plug-in hybrid design.)

Another power-source option, one that does not rely on an internal-combustion engine at all, was demonstrated in the Volt fuel cell concept vehicle, which appeared at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show.[3] Due to the high cost of fuel cells compared to newer lower cost lithium batteries, General Motors has publicly suggested that the Volt will not be using fuel cells in any near term production vehicles.[8]

The general layout of the initial production platform is considered by some to be a plug-in series hybrid design (since mechanical power initially drives the generator, which in turn charges the battery pack), despite its transmission design that makes it, by definition, a parallel hybrid. Power is drained from the batteries to run the electrical motors which move the vehicle. The internal combustion engine can run at a constant speed for both optimal efficiency and mechanical simplicity (i.e., there is no need for variable cam phasing). The Voltec, like the Prius, uses a planetary gearset to couple power from two sources to the wheels. Unlike the Prius, the Voltec only rarely drives the wheels with mechanical assist from the engine, and only when battery charge is depleted.[1][2][9] The Voltec could therefore be considered a power-split hybrid.

The lithium-ion battery in the initial Voltec production vehicle is kept in a state-of-charge (SOC) range of between 30% and 80%, with the on-board generator that works to maintain the battery at the 30% charge level.[4][10]

GM has decided on a new descriptive terminology distinct from calling it a hybrid. They are calling the Volt an E-REV, for "extended-range electric vehicle".[1][4][11] At high demand in charge sustaining mode, the motor output stays high to build up a charge. In this mode, the internal combustion engine is not connected to the planetary transmission through the motor generator.

Vehicles

Production vehicles, Voltec Generation 1

GM chose its Global Delta II compact vehicle architecture for its first Voltec applications. Volt Production began in November 2010 with the first Volts delivered to retail customers in December 2010[12]

Production vehicles, Voltec Generation 2

Concept vehicles
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See also

References
  1. Matthe, Roland; Eberle, Ulrich (2014-01-01). "The Voltec System - Energy Storage and Electric Propulsion". Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  2. Eberle, Ulrich (2012-08-05). "Wasserstoff und Elektromobilität - Für ein intelligent verknüpftes Energie- und Verkehrssystem". Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  3. Eisenstein, Paul A. (2007-04-19). "GM Plugs Fuel Cells into Volt". The Car Connection.
  4. Eberle, Ulrich; von Helmolt, Rittmar (2010-05-14). "Sustainable transportation based on electric vehicle concepts: a brief overview". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  5. Abuelsamid, Sam (2007-01-07). "A look at the GM E-Flex platform". AutoBlogGreen.com. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  6. "E-Flex drive system". Retrieved 2007-10-01.
  7. "GM shows Chevy plug-in concept". CNNMoney.com. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  8. Taylor, Edward (2008-03-05). "GM, Toyota Doubtful on Fuel Cells' Mass Use". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  9. "Unbolting the Chevy Volt to See How it Ticks". motortrend.com.
  10. Dennis, M.D., Lyle J. "Latest Chevy Volt Battery Pack and Generator Details and Clarifications". GM-Volt.com. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
  11. Dennis, M.D., Lyle J. "GM Calls the Volt an E-REV". GM-Volt.com. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  12. "New 2011 Chevy Volt Gearhart Chevrolet Delivers First Volt In America". Wn.com. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
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