For the 2013 mold year, the Chevrolet Volt‘s powertrain is receiving several improvements that will boost its pure-electric range to 38 miles on a single charge, a 3-mile increase from the 2012 model. In addition, the MPGe rating will increase from 94 miles to 98 miles, making for a total range of 380 miles.
The improvements stem from minor changes to the material composition of the battery cell chemistry, resulting in improved performance and durability. Engineers made the changes based on the real-world experience by Volt owners since the EREV’s 2010 launch. The biggest change is in the amount of materials that makes up the battery, with manganese spinel chemistry remaining the foundation for the battery system. GM director of Global Battery Systems Engineering Bill Wallace likens the updates to cake batter ingredients:
“We’ve done some work at the cell level to modify the ‘ingredients’ to make a better end result,” said Wallace “This attention to detail will allow our customers to experience more pure EV range, which is the true benefit of owning a Volt.”
In addition, the total storage capacity of the Volt battery was increased from 16 kWh to 16.5 kWh, with engineers expanding the state-of-charge window to use 10.8 kWh of the total battery energy, an increase from the 10.3 kWh used in the 2012 Volt. Moreover, the buffer of the battery system has been reduced.
The increase in the battery’s storage capacity will result in a slight increase in Volt charge times: 10.5 hours on 120V, and 4.25 hours on 240V. General Motors underlined the fact the new cell chemistry has undergone 150,000 test miles, with the tests showing less battery degradation, the ability to withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsisua, and less impact by energy output.
The GM Authority Take
These updates are — without a doubt — much welcome since, with after only two years on the market, GM is already making incremental improvements to the excellent Volt. And while it remains to be seen whether the increased electric range of the 2013 model will make the Volt more attractive to customers, our question is why The General can’t apply the same small changes to its other vehicles instead of waiting for a major refresh.
Comments
I think GM needs to make as many “right-now” changes to the Volt as possible because it has a lot more riding on the Volt than on the Cruze. It has more to prove. The Cruze has already established itself as a serious player. The Volt on the other hand is still trying to convince the sceptics that GM can do this correctly. The Volt is a long way from being a front-runner and it has lost some ground due to perceptions and political bashing. I’ve seen the on the road and their stance is simply breathtaking. My only problem thus far, and GM seriously needs to make those kinds of changes as well, is how that driver side door does not close flush with the fender. Irritating and should not be on any car, let alone one that costs so much.
Lowers price? No? Pass.
Yes, lowering the price is necessary before Volt sales take off, and that GM should focus on that rather than slightly improving battery performance. Even 1-2k would help.
And GM can apply incremental changes to every car instead of waiting for a major refresh, but they dont need to, I dont think any car is selling so below GM’s estimations than the Volt right now, and as Richard says, the Volt has the more to prove than any other car in GMs lineup and maybe even in the whole Auto Industry.
when did the mpge drop from 40? I thought that was the figure they came up with that 80%+ of us drive?
I don’t think it was ever at 40 from the EPA… I believe that was an estimate from GM that would apply to — as you said — 80 percent of the people.
I wonder if these improvements in the battery have anything to do with the reported addition of “hold” mode for US Volts for 2013? Some European Amperas are reporting 49 mpg Hwy by using hold mode.
Good news, again though prices need to drop for the volt.
Why oh why is GM announcing these improvements so early in the sales year? They had predicted 16,000 units shipped for 2012, but seems they are on track for 22,000+…
I know Hamtramck’s June break is upon us, and I realize they’ve shipped a lot of Volts, but this kind of announcement just makes us potential buyers on the fence wait for the new-improved ’13!
We have to acknowledge the one-upmanship factor, as GM’s announcement puts Toyota on the hot seat. It’s PiPrius is Volt’s main competitor, and their 11 mile AER has gotten much criticism so far – with a $33-39,000 pricetag. Toyota’s EPA rating of 95MPGe has now been trumped by Volt by 3 MPGe. This said, is it worth the jab to announce this while people are researching and contemplating buying a 2012 Volt?!!!
OK, here’s my somewhat radical, but not unrealistic take on this news/event:
GM is selling each Volt at a loss. In 2010 they announced 2012 Volt production would rise to 60,000 units. At the time, the Volt was going down the Hamtramck assembly line in very limited numbers between outgoing Buicks and Cadillacs.
Today, during the June shutdown GM will be tooling up for overflow Malibu production and Impala builds. Obviously GM makes a whole lot more per Imp and ‘bu than any potential profits from 15-28,000 Volt/Amperas it can sell worldwide. With this in mind it seems GM is shunting Volt production in lieu of it’s profit-making brands.
Stunting Volt growth by making such early announcents, and limiting advertising campaigns ( no Super Bowl ads for 2013 ) seem very logical theories as to why GM is not keeping Volt improvements for future model runs top secret, need-to-know information.
I wonder if GM is underestimating the range improvement on purpose so that by the time the EPA officially test the range, the electic range increase will end up being 5 miles plus.
@Ernie: That would definately be a bonus!