Of Webchat Between Tony Posawatz, Chevy Volt Vehicle
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calcars-kramer-posawatz-webchat-091016.pdf Page 1 of 6 Transcript (some typos corrected) of webchat between Tony Posawatz, Chevy Volt Vehicle Line Director and co-chair of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, and Felix Kramer, Founder of The California Cars Initiative, on Oct 16, 2009 as a leadin to the breakout session, "The Consumer: Who, When and Why?" at The Business of Plugging In 2009 Conference http://www.pev2009.com/program/index.asp - w_bs1_3 . The webchat can be found at http://chevroletvoltage.com/index.php/Blog/live-chat-with-felix-kramer- of-calcars-and-tony-posawatz.html Tony Posawatz, Chevy Volt and Felix conversation about the Volt Kramer, California Cars Initiative online...but they don't represent (10/16/2009) mainstreet. Where will the transitional Tony Posawatz: Thanks for joining us entry point occur for 'ordinary' today. Felix Kramer of California Cars consumers who get excited about the Initiative is here with us. Apologies for Volt's technology and future vision for the rescheduling. The Volt program is how we drive get communicated...and always exciting. Let's get to some of who are these people who will be your questions. better equipped at conveying the Felix Kramer: I'm glad to be here. message in a more mainstream This is a very exciting time as we missionary manner? And won't that be approach the time when we'll see the true tipping point of consumers plug-in cars from automakers on the "getting it"? road. Felix Kramer: We're still having some technical problems. I think the Volt is Phil Colley: Sorry folks, we're having a designed for broad acceptance, not few technical difficulties with pushing small market niches. the questions through - apologies. We'll have this fixed soon. [ Reg from Canada ] Do you expect to see the volt rolled out to Canada, [ Aldo ] Hi Mr. Posawatz. I will be specifically Vancouver which just buying a Volt and wanted to know if an signed deals to test the mitusbishi extension cord could be used to imiev and the nissan leaf? Also, what increase the reach for recharging, or if can we expect to be the price point for we are going to be limited to the the car in CDN dollars? length of the cord that comes with the car. Thanks!| Felix Kramer: Ontario is going to have Tony Posawatz: The EVSE or charge a $10,000 credit for new plug-in cord will be about 25 feet and vehicles, which should help (even designed to all relevant codes. We do more than the $7,500 in U.S.) not recommend extension cords but Tony Posawatz: Yes, the Volt is rather that when you have your home coming to Canada - first for the Winter inspection, you reposition your Olympics in Vancouver. Pricing is still a outlet/charging station appropriately. ways off. Perhaps the Canadian government can provide some support [ Sue ] Currently there seem to be a as the US government has. small group of fans and haters who have been having an active [ efrenalpizar ] How is the calcars-kramer-posawatz-webchat-091016.pdf Page 2 of 6 development drive going on the volt ? progress being reported. When do you Tony Posawatz: We've just returned foresee placing cars with some from a six-state tour this week, "pioneers" or "influencers" for short- logging close to 1,200 miles on each term trials? prototype Volt. The vehicles show Tony Posawatz: During the 2010 great promise for the future. Much calendar year in preparation for our work is still to be done to make them end of year production launch, we perfect for next year's launch. The intend to conduct events with Volts did conquer the hills of West prospective customers. The plan is Virginia and other interesting being worked as we speak. Stay obstacles. tuned. [ Frank ] hey guys. thanks so much for [ Chris ] How will the batteries be doing this. can you tell us a little about affected by real cold? I.e. -30F, or is the focus of your panel "The that still to be tested? We have about Consumer: Who, When and Why?". 5-10 days a year that hit those digits. thanks. Tony Posawatz: When the Volt is Felix Kramer: The panel will talk plugged in, we use grid energy to about how we get to this point, what condition the battery - to keep it at a we consumers expect, how to ensure nice, toasty temperature. If the Volt is successful commercialization, and in a cold environment and not plugged where to go next--in CalCars' case, to in, we still have an engine on board also raise the opportunities for gas- that can create a lot of heat. guzzler conversions. SEMA is involved (the after-market industry trade [ Bill Moore ] Felix... how do you feel association), so it should be about the focus by GM and others on interesting! bringing PHEVs to market?| 3:5 Tony Posawatz: We have talked about Felix Kramer: I'm delighted at all the vehicle and infrastructure readiness. progress, including the concept Now we need to talk about customer vehicles that will show up at the Tokyo readiness. Our diverse panel will touch Auto Show next week. We expect on everything from education to more concept cars will turn into expectations. production-intent vehicles and deadlines will advance as competition [ Bill Moore ] Tony... now that the 8 and market opportunities increase. Volts are back from the trip to OH, PA and WV, what's your analysis on their [ Don ] When will a regular customer performance overall? be able to purchase a Volt? Tony Posawatz: Bill, I kind of Tony Posawatz: Start of production is answered this one but we can go into still scheduled for November 2010. The it more when you are here for BPI next early Volts will be in selected markets week. and available for purchase. We have Felix Kramer: Everybody, Bill is editor not yet been specific about those of the invaluable EVWorld.com -- markets. take a look (and subscribe!) [ Carl ] Hello, thanks for the chat! Why [ Marc Geller ] Very pleased to see the does the Volt need such a large engine calcars-kramer-posawatz-webchat-091016.pdf Page 3 of 6 to recharge the batteries? Does GM rollout of both PHEVs and EVs have a smaller "generator" lined up for future applications, like Lotus is [ Del Gallagher ] Bob Lutz has working on? Thanks again mentioned "...up to 40 miles" many Tony Posawatz: Thanks. We like doing times as the range of the Volt. But, these chats. The first-generation Volt what will be the realistic range when uses a high-volume, low-cost engine, power equipment such as headlights, which generates 53 kilowatts of power. defroster or air-conditioner, sound It is conceivable that this engine could system, etc. are turned on? power a bigger vehicle. In the future, Tony Posawatz: The 40-mile range is we anticipate purpose-built engines for on an EPA city/highway cycle. As with extended-range electric vehicles, such all vehicles, there is variation around as smaller turbo-charged engines, real-world performance. For example, Stirling-cycle engines, gas turbines... high air conditioning use will reduce even small-displacement motorcycle the amount of EV range a customer engines. gets. The Volt will offer remote cabin conditioning using grid energy vs. Phil Colley: Some questions won't battery energy to set the temperature. push through, so I'll post them for the questioner. Phil Colley: From Steven Lough: Dear Mr: Posawatz As President of our local From Steve: Tony, Felix great job on E[...]AA chapter here in Seattle And a promoting the EV industry. Can you former GMC Dealer for 45 years… We explain to me why we[...] see have been ON TOP of developments companies in the news who have with the Chevy Volt, and the Nissan publicly announced plans to give away LEAF. My question is this.. As the prior free ev charging stations to cities and owner of 5 EV’s and most of them municipalities that we do not see the RED, Is the Chevy VOLT going to be oems getting involved with them to offered in something Close to a Ferrari build the infrastructure? If the Chicken RED. And say “Hello” to our good and egg excuse is being used daily and friend Felix Kramer Respectfully: Steve there are solutions to get the ev Lough, President Seattle EV charging station infrastructure built I Association would think this would be a huge Tony Posawatz: The Volt will be rallying cry for the industry. I need to produced at our Detroit-Hamtramck be able to plug in everywhere when I assembly plant, which has an ultra take delivery of my volt. modern paint shop and has been home Felix Kramer: There's not going to be to many Cadillac models. The Volt will a free lunch on this: someone has to have multiple premium paint lines. I pay for charging stations. Of course, see red in your future. for the Volt and any PHEV/EREV, they're icing on the cake--the first [ Sue ] Many hybrid owners frankly users will buy the car because they would prefer an all-electric car. Once have a place to charge it at home or the Volt is being produced, do you work. Look at expect early-adopter hybrid owners to http://www.projectgetready.org to see switch over/buy Volts? all the regional efforts to support the Felix Kramer: I'm looking for many calcars-kramer-posawatz-webchat-091016.pdf Page 4 of 6 hybrid owners actually to consider purchase a Chevy Volt? converting their vehicles to give them Felix Kramer: I'd love to put my 2004 a small all-electric range (prices for retrofit Prius up for auction as a conversions are coming down as youo historic "conversion #8) and get a new can see PHEV.