This range-extended electrical system is called E-Flex, an umbrella technology enabling a wide range of future electric vehicle applications, including hydrogen fuel cells which GM believes might be closer than we think.
Responsible for the development and implementation of E-Flex in North America is a busy man named Nick Zielinsky. He's the chief engineer of advanced vehicles development for the E-Flex system and the Volt prototype.
His excitement for being involved with the Volt, and that of his team, permeated last weeks event which had selected Canadian media in attendance to learn about the new vehicle.
"We have a strategy to reduce the need for petroleum" Zielisky said, drawing attention to the carmakers various accomplishments in alternative fuels and gas-saving technologies. These include current and upcoming hybrid vehicles, work on E85 ethanol fuel, cylinder de-activation and extensive progress on hydrogen fuel cells.
The E-Flex system which enables the range-extended operation of the Volt is another step towards a lowered dependence on fossil fuels, while being potentially more fuel efficient and simpler than a hybrid.
Zieliski explains "a hybrid is complicated and expensive. The system requires switching between two totally different propulsion systems. E-Flex is non-mechanical, using only electricity to start and maintain the vehicles momentum. Key here is that the system can create and store energy on board."
With the Volt, there's no switching between systems to be done. Propulsion is all electric, all the time.
Sounds great- but many questions remain. What will the performance be like? Will the Volt be a vehicle that can confidently cruise the busy 400 series highways in Toronto at over 110 kmh? Will it catch on, or be doomed the same fate as its grandfather, the EV1? Will GM actually build it?
 |
| Nick Zielinsky, Chief Engineer of the Volt. |
Responsible for the development and implementation of E-Flex in North America is a busy man named Nick Zielinsky. He's the chief engineer of advanced vehicles development for the E-Flex system and the Volt prototype.
His excitement for being involved with the Volt, and that of his team, permeated last weeks event which had selected Canadian media in attendance to learn about the new vehicle.
"We have a strategy to reduce the need for petroleum" Zielisky said, drawing attention to the carmakers various accomplishments in alternative fuels and gas-saving technologies. These include current and upcoming hybrid vehicles, work on E85 ethanol fuel, cylinder de-activation and extensive progress on hydrogen fuel cells.
The E-Flex system which enables the range-extended operation of the Volt is another step towards a lowered dependence on fossil fuels, while being potentially more fuel efficient and simpler than a hybrid.
Zieliski explains "a hybrid is complicated and expensive. The system requires switching between two totally different propulsion systems. E-Flex is non-mechanical, using only electricity to start and maintain the vehicles momentum. Key here is that the system can create and store energy on board."
With the Volt, there's no switching between systems to be done. Propulsion is all electric, all the time.
Sounds great- but many questions remain. What will the performance be like? Will the Volt be a vehicle that can confidently cruise the busy 400 series highways in Toronto at over 110 kmh? Will it catch on, or be doomed the same fate as its grandfather, the EV1? Will GM actually build it?
 |