The Opel Vivaro concept suggests what might be next for General Motors' extended-range electric vehicle technology.
While the Chevrolet Volt, due to hit dealerships in limited numbers later this year, is critical to General Motors’ resurgence, expanding use of the technology to other types of vehicles will be important for the automaker’s future.
But concepts using what GM calls Voltec technology, have been lacking, partly because the automaker has been so focused on developing the Volt itself, partly because development money has been scarce as the automaker recovers from its 2009 bankruptcy.
There was the Cadillac Converj concept, basically a Volt dressed up in Cadillac clothing, and Opel is planning to sell a version of the Volt as the Ampera.
Now GM Europe is showing the Vivaro e-Concept, a delivery van that would be capable of traveling about 60 miles on battery power only. The Vivaro’s battery is double the size of the 16 kWh battery in the Volt, which is projected to have an electric-only range of 40 miles.
There are no plans to introduce the Vivaro in the U.S., but it does illustrate how GM might expand its lineup of extended-range electric vehicles beyond the Volt. In theory, the Vivaro’s drivetrain could be placed in a minivan or a Chevy Traverse-style crossover or other larger vehicle.
Like the Volt, the Vivaro has a range-extending gasoline engine – an 82-horsepower 1.4-liter four cylinder in the concept – that would allow it to travel up to 250 miles before it would need a fillup. That would allow the vehicle to also serve as a shuttle or for longer trips.
An Opel spokesman said that research in Europe has shown that the majority of the vehicle’s potential customers drive about 60 miles per day, meaning they would use little or no gas on most days. Plug in overnight and it has a range of 60 more miles of electricitv-only driving for the next day.
In the Voltec system, the gasoline engine does not directly drive the powertrain once the battery is depleted. Instead, the engine powers a generator that provides power to the wheels.
The Vivaro’s lithium ion battery modules are mounted under the floor, providing a low center of gravity for good handling characteristics, protecting it from crosswind influence.
The Vivaro has 177 cubic feet of space and can carry 1,653 pounds. To compare, a Ford TransitConnect can carry 1,600 pounds and has 135 cubic feet of cargo space.
Opel recently showed the van at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The van could be particularly important in Europe where some cities have banned petroleum-powered vehicles from their ancient and congested city centers.
GM knows a big part of its future success will be based on its ability to expand Voltec to other types of vehicles. The small four-seat Volt will not fit the lifestyle of many car buyers who are still interested in saving fuel. There’s a reason GM offers so many types of vehicles. Buyers want choices and diversity. Expect GM to show more extended-range electric vehicle concepts at auto shows in the years ahead.