GM actually just announced today that it isn't quite that way. They claim they've been waiting on a patent to go through to reveal that actually at highway speeds the ICE helps with the drive wheels.

Here is a link to the story on Autoblog:

[link]

No, the ICE at higher speeds still powers a secondary electric motor to drive the vehicle. There are three motors--two electric and one gas--but the gas never directly powers the vehicle.

It's been driving people nuts for months now. How exactly do you explain and classify this vehicle?

That's not what is being said about the planetary gearset is the central transmission of energy from the motors to the wheels.

In my book I don't see how it really matters. For many people this is a car that will see 100+ MPG for commuters, why does it matter how that is being pulled off, and if it is an ER-EV or a new variety of plug in hybrid.

Oy, you think this would be explained properly internally before it's released to the press.

I still can't make sense of it. It looks like it only occurs in a very limited circumstance when the VOLT is above 70 mph, and it's never powered exclusively by the ICE.

Proper distribution of the correct message is key, people.

In my book I don't see how it really matters

Yeah, that's how I see it too. If it delivers the goods, I'm not especially bothered about the details.

Yeah, basically it's still amazing tech and a car that should see amazing MPG ratings for commuters. Unfortunately the way this is being handled is going to be spun into a very bad light by competitors and the folks that think global warming is a myth and that alternate fuel sources are a waste of time.

Unfortunately the way this is being handled is going to be spun into a very bad light by competitors and the folks that think global warming is a myth and that alternate fuel sources are a waste of time.

I wish more things re: marketing had changed post-bankruptcy. The new CEO is emphasizing playing offense and this is going to be all defense.

I've driven the VOLT a handful of times, and it's fun. The iPhone app is way cool, and the cockpit electronics are heavily influenced by Apple. It performs as expected, IF one realizes that it's primarily an electric vehicle. Driving behavior does need to be modified. It handles well, and runs more smoothly than I anticipated. It has a sport mode that slightly decreases efficiency, but ups the torque. I managed to get about 35 miles on a charge, and averaged about 83 mpg in DC traffic.

Will someone have something negative to say about it? Yes,it's not a car for everybody. The technology that's behind it, though, is pretty amazing.

As someone who doesn't really understand the nuts and bolts but still cares, and wishes we had better (less polluting / more efficient) cars, thanks for all the explanations and discussion!

I'm assuming that a big difference (from the driver's standpoint) between the Leaf and the Volt is that the Volt can do more than 100 miles at a time? (edit: maybe not?)

From the driver's standpoint, I'd say the big difference is that you can drive a Volt on gasoline if you need to. The Leaf has great range for an all-electric, but you're still limited on how far you can go.

Or more generally, the Volt can replace a regular car with no problem while a Leaf is more of a niche vehicle.

The Leaf has great range for an all-electric, but you're still limited on how far you can go.

It all comes down to the infrastructure. You have to make sure you can plug it in to recharge. There's no safety net. If you're going to a cabin in the woods that has no electricity, you probably don't want to take the Leaf.

The infrastructure discussion is the same one I was having ten years ago when I worked with Honda to market the CNG Civic. The OEMs don't want to make the vehicles if they can't be fueled, and the fuel providers don't want to put in the refueling stations if there are no vehicles to use them. It's one big game of chicken, and innovation is stifled as a result.