Buick Commits to All-Electric Porfolio by 2030, Introduces the Buick Wildcat EV Concept

WOW, Loving this concept, hope they actually bring something like this to market soon. @oldshurst442 and @ccap41 should love this car.

Also very happy with the new Buick Logo.

Very happy that Buick sales was up 7.9% last year and that per their press release, 73% of sales was to folks new to the brand.

Buick Commits to All-Electric Portfolio by End of Decade

Have to say who ever led this concept effort nailed it, there is lots to like here. My only concern is as you stated, they say all vehicles will be part of the Electra Naming Series. This makes me think they will do the dumb thing of Electra 1 (Sub Compact) Electra 2 (Compact), Electra 3 (Mid Size) and Electra 4 (Full Size) or something along this like the idiot german branding that is so blah. I wish GM would commit and stay with names.

I do really like the interior and as they say, a very Zen place to relax and drive.

Have to say it, while I like the rear to a point, it does scream to me Volvo knock off with those tail lights and that is one wide ass.  

Updated the main article with the full gallery from Buick.

Unfortunately, GM has already said this won't go into production but some of the key elements will be utilized in future SUVs.

"The low fastback coupe won't go into production, but some of its cool design elements will be seen as soon as 2025 on EV and gas Buicks. However, they'll all be SUVs."

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Unfortunately, GM has already said this won't go into production but some of the key elements will be utilized in future SUVs.

"The low fastback coupe won't go into production, but some of its cool design elements will be seen as soon as 2025 on EV and gas Buicks. However, they'll all be SUVs."

Yeah, they barely make any sedans, and only two sports coupes.... they're not building this.

Although...... if they move the Camaro to being an EV, it could share a platform with this.

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Unfortunately, GM has already said this won't go into production but some of the key elements will be utilized in future SUVs.

"The low fastback coupe won't go into production, but some of its cool design elements will be seen as soon as 2025 on EV and gas Buicks. However, they'll all be SUVs."

Yeah...Bummer.

This will influence...SUV styling.  

I do like it as is though.

And I do like the updated Buick logo.

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Yeah, they barely make any sedans, and only two sports coupes.... they're not building this.

It's disappointing, but I understand why. It's certainly a looker. 

Knowing this will never see the light of day in its current form, I can say “good” because the outside is a mess. The interior is nice and shows a lot of potential but the exterior is just pure garbage, especially the profile. 

Beat me to it to post it...  Thank you for sharing this article.  The front of the concept reminds me of early 70's Buicks. 

Agreed that they won’t make it.  I suspect after 2025 the only car at GM will be the Corvette.  Every ICE car they have is dead after this generation, maybe they will do a Cadillac electric sedan.

Not digging the new logo completely. Don't like the new font. I actually like the trishield on an angle like it currently is. Well, times change.

I'm not 100% sold on the Wildcat but it's not bad. All electric... my question is (and understand I've never done research on this), what is the environmental impact of producing/disposing batteries compared to the environmental impact of a combustion engine? Sure, there are major factors to consider on each side, but is an EV really that much better for the environment? Or is it all about not using traditional fuel?

I currently can't charge a vehicle except for a specific spot in a parking garage I use for 2 hours/day at one building with work.

Being someone who prefers road trips to planes, I'd like to see more fast-charging available all over (not to mention the ability to charge at home) before I ever invest in an EV.

2 hours ago, NINETY EIGHT REGENCY said:

Beat me to it to post it...  Thank you for sharing this article.  The front of the concept reminds me of early 70's Buicks. 

I"m trying to get back into multiple daily articles.

16 hours ago, Paolino said:

All electric... my question is (and understand I've never done research on this), what is the environmental impact of producing/disposing batteries compared to the environmental impact of a combustion engine? Sure, there are major factors to consider on each side, but is an EV really that much better for the environment?

 It would be a complicated answer. There are many variables to consider and calculate. On all sides of the equation.

Definition of "all sides of the equation":

1. people who are against EVs

2. people who are for EVs

3. people who are against oil and big oil companies

4. people who are for oil and big oil companies

All 4 types are different from one another but they may belong in one subset or two of each other. 

Biased reasoning  that will make it seem that batteries are dirtier than gasoline or batteries are cleaner than gasoline depending on what spectrum the reasoning lies on. 

16 hours ago, Paolino said:

Or is it all about not using traditional fuel?

In some cases, its that.

However, if the world's engineers could decide on a future where compatibility of recycling batteries could be achieved, then it could be a cleaner future and a very interesting one at that...

There is talk about using old EV batteries as a unit, a collection of EV batteries that are no longer viable to power a single car, but as a unit, could power factories, buildings, hospitals, houses etc...   as a second life after EV usage. 

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/car-makers-and-startups-get-serious-about-reusing-batteries

https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Automotive and Assembly/Our Insights/Second life EV batteries The newest value pool in energy storage/Second-life-EV-batteries-The-newest-value-pool-in-energy-storage.ashx#:~:text=Potential to spark a second life&text=Subjected to extreme operating temperatures,useful life in most cases.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016821001757

One thing that us humans should be thinking about, IS trying to reduce our polluting ways. 

Whether EVs are the answer, we really do NOT know if THAT is truly the way to go. 

However, we DO know that using fossil fuels is NO LONGER the way to go.  

We  DO need to change our ways in THAT regard and STOP using fossil fuels to power our every day transport vehicles. If we DO accept and adopt EVs as our method of every day transport, and THAT happens to NOT be the answer, then we shall course correct and find another way.  But we DO have to STOP fossil fuel usage to adopt a new way. RIGHT NOW.  If batteries is a short term solution,  then so be it.  We shouldnt be afraid  to course correct every time a solution happens to NOT be the right way.

Batteries, you will find, on the greater scheme of things, do pollute LESS than fossil fuels do.  When you do your own research from ALL the biased places from all equations, and you read up on all the possible technology that batteries, electricity, charging networks using solar power etc, you will see for yourself that electricity and batteries have a great potential to change our way of living. For the better. 

Take batteries as a second life. Install used batteries in your house. Use solar power to recharge these batteries. Use batteries to power your home. No need to be on the grid for too long.    The grid has a blackout, no need for a generator as your home will have batteries to power your home.   And the possibilities are endless.. 

Already, EV F150s, as Ford is tooting around, that in case of an emergency, the truck itself could work to power your home in case of a blackout... 

Tesla's often laughed at Powerwall.  Well, second life batteries started as an idea BECAUSE of Tesla's Powerwall technology...

Keep in mind we are still learning about electricity. We are still learning how to create it, how to better distribute it, how to harness it... 

Maybe we us a species will find that miracle energy source that will power every thing, for free and wont pollute.  Until then, we will have to course correct for slightly better solutions, small steps at a time going forward in our future for our existential survival.  Batteries is this next small step forward.  

Just my opinion.  But my opinion is NOT based on anti-anything or pro-anything.

Im pro batteries, yes.  But its not because Im a tree huggin. car hatin' green guy hippy. 

Im pro battery because batteries and electricity have the potential  to be THAT utopia solution.   But Im also not bound to that principle.  

The research to come to a conclusion on your own is exhausting. YOU will have to do it on your own though.  Take it all in.  Its worth it.  

I'm neutral on EVs, but EV-curious... EVs exist, ICE vehicles exist.  Reality is complex.  I know in my current reality context, a pure EV probably wouldn't work well for me.  A PHEV could work, though.  Would I buy an EV in a year?  In 5 years?  I don't know.  

18 hours ago, Paolino said:

Not digging the new logo completely. Don't like the new font. I actually like the trishield on an angle like it currently is. Well, times change.

I'm not 100% sold on the Wildcat but it's not bad. All electric... my question is (and understand I've never done research on this), what is the environmental impact of producing/disposing batteries compared to the environmental impact of a combustion engine? Sure, there are major factors to consider on each side, but is an EV really that much better for the environment? Or is it all about not using traditional fuel?

I currently can't charge a vehicle except for a specific spot in a parking garage I use for 2 hours/day at one building with work.

Being someone who prefers road trips to planes, I'd like to see more fast-charging available all over (not to mention the ability to charge at home) before I ever invest in an EV.

Hopefully this will help you out on your question above about the batteries.

On 6/2/2022 at 11:36 AM, Robert Hall said:

I'm neutral on EVs, but EV-curious... EVs exist, ICE vehicles exist.  Reality is complex.  I know in my current reality context, a pure EV probably wouldn't work well for me.  A PHEV could work, though.  Would I buy an EV in a year?  In 5 years?  I don't know.  

I'm curious as to why you think it wouldn't work for you?

11 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I'm curious as to why you think it wouldn't work for you?

Too time consuming to stop and recharge on road trips compared to refueling, too few charging stations in areas where I travel frequently.  Not going to find charging stations in rural Ohio anytime soon.  It's going to be a while for range anxiety goes away for road trips in many parts of the US.  With a gas engine, I never have to plan *when* to stop for gas because gas stations are ubiquitous. 

And since in a normal year, I drive so little during the week, any advantage of an EV has for commuting doesn't work for me.

 Interesting observation on I-90 on the NY thruway this weekend--gas stations at each service plaza/rest area on the thruway, but of the ones I stopped at I didn't see any EV charging stations, except for one with a single charging station.

On 6/1/2022 at 6:11 PM, Paolino said:

what is the environmental impact of producing/disposing batteries compared to the environmental impact of a combustion engine?

It is highly dependent on the chemistry of the battery. Batteries can have extremely long lives though, so even when a battery is done in an EV, it can go on to serve as a household solar power storage unit for another decade or more.  A gas engine can't really compete with that.  Gas engines, and their transmissions, are incredibly complex even just from a metallurgy standpoint. The amount of time and energy that goes into creating and transporting all of those parts is mind blowing.

That said, there have been some relatively recent battery breakthroughs that will, in future, reduce the amount of rare earth metals used in batteries.  Telsa has already implemented them in some of their cars.  The batteries are smaller and lighter for the same power output and range.

On 6/1/2022 at 6:11 PM, Paolino said:

Sure, there are major factors to consider on each side, but is an EV really that much better for the environment? Or is it all about not using traditional fuel?

There are two main points to EVs:

1. It makes the method of propulsion fuel agnostic. It doesn't matter if you have coal, natural gas, wind, hydro, solar, rooftop solar, nuclear, or a hamster running on a wheel generating electricity.  The car doesn't care. If all of the sudden we can't use coal anymore, there's 5 or 6 more options to switch to and you don't even have to think about it, your power company does that.

2. Even if you charge your EV from a coal plant (which the vast majority don't, coal use has fallen below 20% in this country), it is still cleaner from a CO2 standpoint because EVs are just that much more efficient.  Additionally, it is far easier to make sure that a few power plants are burning cleanly than it is to make sure 200 million cars are.  You live in NY, so you have emissions checks. Ohio doesn't bother with that, so cars can pollute however much they want and I get to breathe it all.

1 minute ago, Drew Dowdell said:

You live in NY, so you have emissions checks. Ohio doesn't bother with that, so cars can pollute however much they want and I get to breathe it all.

Some metro area counties in Ohio have emissions checks, I get my Jeep tested every two years.

5 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Too time consuming to stop and recharge on road trips compared to refueling, too few charging stations in areas where I travel frequently.  Not going to find charging stations in rural Ohio anytime soon.  It's going to be while for range anxiety goes away for road trips in many parts of the US.  With a gas engine, I never have to plan *when* to stop for gas because gas stations are ubiquitous. 

And since in a normal year, I drive so little during the week, any advantage of an EV has for commuting doesn't work for me.

 Interesting observation on I-90 on the NY thruway this weekend--gas stations at each service plaza/rest area on the thruway, but of the ones I stopped at I didn't see any EV charging stations, except for one with a single charging station.

As with everything, there's an App for that.... several in fact.  This is from the Plugshare app. Any EV with a 350 mile range and fast charging ability should be sufficient

33 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Any EV with a 350 mile range

There aren't a whole lot of those out there though, right? Those that are are like 80k+? What's the cheapest 350 mile range EV? 

Speaking of which, I've kind of lowered my standard on what range I would "require" to consider an EV. I used to think 350-400 miles was the minimum range before I'd consider buying an EV. Now I'm more like 250-300 miles of range, and even that's overkill but gives me plenty of safety net for cold-@ss winters. 

11 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

There aren't a whole lot of those out there though, right? Those that are are like 80k+? What's the cheapest 350 mile range EV? 

Speaking of which, I've kind of lowered my standard on what range I would "require" to consider an EV. I used to think 350-400 miles was the minimum range before I'd consider buying an EV. Now I'm more like 250-300 miles of range, and even that's overkill but gives me plenty of safety net for cold-@ss winters. 

Given the time span between when @Robert Hall trades vehicles, his next one will be in 2033 anyway, by that point $80k will be entry level.

But I hear you on range. I physically can’t go more than 200 miles without stopping. My bladder doesn’t have that range. The new GM and Tesla batteries can add 100 miles in 10 minutes. That’s enough to keep me on the road at the same pace my bladder needs. 

4 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Given the time span between when @Robert Hall trades vehicles, his next one will be in 2033 anyway, by that point $80k will be entry level.

But I hear you on range. I physically can’t go more than 200 miles without stopping. My bladder doesn’t have that range. The new GM and Tesla batteries can add 100 miles in 10 minutes. That’s enough to keep me on the road at the same pace my bladder needs. 

Probably looking to trade the Jeep in the next two years... I try and stop every hour to hour and half.. 

15 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Given the time span between when @Robert Hall trades vehicles, his next one will be in 2033 anyway, by that point $80k will be entry level.

But I hear you on range. I physically can’t go more than 200 miles without stopping. My bladder doesn’t have that range. The new GM and Tesla batteries can add 100 miles in 10 minutes. That’s enough to keep me on the road at the same pace my bladder needs. 

LOL, touche. 

Yeah, I'd want to move my legs for a couple minutes anyway after 200 miles, even if I didn't need to go to the bathroom. Heck, it's the kind of break our bodies probably NEED from sitting in the same exact position that long anyway. 

I just read a new review of the Bolt EUV and that has terrible charging speeds. They plugged in at a 350kWh charger and it only pulled 53kWh. I'm not sure of its actual rating but that's too slow.

On the other end of the spectrum, a friend was traveling home to Vegas from Phoenix and stopped for like 10 minutes to go to the bathroom and his Model 3 got him 115 miles of added range. He has whatever their new battery is that doesn't have lithium in it, or maybe a very small amount? I forget what it is. 

35 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Probably looking to trade the Jeep in the next two years... I try and stop every hour to hour and half.. 

10 min every hour and a half and you’d never need a full recharge stop until your destination 

22 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I just read a new review of the Bolt EUV and that has terrible charging speeds. They plugged in at a 350kWh charger and it only pulled 53kWh. I'm not sure of its actual rating but that's too slow

I don’t think the EUV has the new Ultium batteries. 

14 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I don’t think the EUV has the new Ultium batteries

You would be correct. It has dual charge capabilities but it does not use the ultium setup. 
 

It should be noted that GM announced a price drop for both Bolt models since they no longer qualify for the tax credit. The Bolt starts at just over $26K not while the EUV is right at $30K (I believe). Not a supposing move with the larger Equinox EV coming out in the near future and a supposed $30K price tag to boot. 

15 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Given the time span between when @Robert Hall trades vehicles, his next one will be in 2033 anyway, by that point $80k will be entry level.

But I hear you on range. I physically can’t go more than 200 miles without stopping. My bladder doesn’t have that range. The new GM and Tesla batteries can add 100 miles in 10 minutes. That’s enough to keep me on the road at the same pace my bladder needs. 

 I must have been a long haul driver in a past life. I have done the I-40 drive from NC to AZ five times and I don’t stop unless I need gas or if the rare bladder emergency comes up, I will stop but overall, I will drive 300-400 miles without stopping. I do not F around on highway once I get going lol. 

Just now, surreal1272 said:

 I must have been a long haul driver in a past life. I have done the I-40 drive from NC to AZ five times and I don’t stop unless I need gas or if the rare bladder emergency comes up, I will stop but overall, I will drive 300-400 miles without stopping. I do not F around on highway once I get going lol. 

I used to be able to do that in my younger years... I'd do Pittsburgh to NJ in one shot.  I just can't make it more than about 200 miles anymore.

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I used to be able to do that in my younger years... I'd do Pittsburgh to NJ in one shot.  I just can't make it more than about 200 miles anymore.

I’m six months from fifty and still do it lol. The odd thing is that I have been told that I have the bladder of an infant lol but when I hit the highway, I apparently forget I even have a bladder. Something about those long drives put me in a certain mode and I just lock in and keep it going, sometimes to my detriment as far as sleep goes (two of those drives have involved literally zero sleep). I totally get it though. It gets tougher the older you get. 

15 hours ago, ccap41 said:

LOL, touche. 

Yeah, I'd want to move my legs for a couple minutes anyway after 200 miles, even if I didn't need to go to the bathroom. Heck, it's the kind of break our bodies probably NEED from sitting in the same exact position that long anyway. 

I just read a new review of the Bolt EUV and that has terrible charging speeds. They plugged in at a 350kWh charger and it only pulled 53kWh. I'm not sure of its actual rating but that's too slow.

On the other end of the spectrum, a friend was traveling home to Vegas from Phoenix and stopped for like 10 minutes to go to the bathroom and his Model 3 got him 115 miles of added range. He has whatever their new battery is that doesn't have lithium in it, or maybe a very small amount? I forget what it is. 

This is one of the draw backs to the Bolt which is expected to be replaced in the next year with either a new Bolt built on the Ultium platform so it is 800V compatible or some other names auto. They will make great cars for commuters who will do the bulk of charging from home.

15 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Probably looking to trade the Jeep in the next two years... I try and stop every hour to hour and half.. 

an EV SUV would be fine for you then. 10 minutes on a fast charger while you take a bathroom/food break and you'll keep it going 

15 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

I’m six months from fifty and still do it lol. The odd thing is that I have been told that I have the bladder of an infant lol but when I hit the highway, I apparently forget I even have a bladder. Something about those long drives put me in a certain mode and I just lock in and keep it going, sometimes to my detriment as far as sleep goes (two of those drives have involved literally zero sleep). I totally get it though. It gets tougher the older you get. 

After multiple round trips to Florida... I stopped trying to do those marathons of driving without stopping.  I stop when I feel the need to stop.  It's not a race and there's probably slow traffic in Georgia anyway.

38 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

there's probably slow traffic in Georgia anyway.

Not on I-95 lol. Most folks think the "95" is the suggested speed for that interstate. Used to drive down to Florida from NC all the time back in the 90s. Had a ton of family down there at one point.

On a side note, I just realized that I have done the I-40 drive five times (if I want to count my first 6500 miles two week adventure to CA back in '93) but in six different cars. 

1st drive (1993): 92' Toyota Tercel (my first new car)

2nd drive (2007): '95 Eagle Talon (when I moved to AZ)

3rd drive (2010): '06 Dodge Magnum (round trip)

4th drive (2017): 2016 Kia Soul (from AZ to NC) and a 2016 Jeep Compass (from NC to AZ). Those were rentals, hence the two different rides for the same trip.

5th drive (2019): 2015 Ford Flex (one way move from AZ back to NC)

In all, I have driven around 22K miles on I-40 which I now know like the back of hand, in regards to all the stops one needs to make on that particular drive lol.

1 minute ago, surreal1272 said:

Not on I-95 lol. Most folks think the "95" is the suggested speed for that interstate. Used to drive down to Florida from NC all the time back in the 90s. Had a ton of family down there at one point.

That suggests you haven't been on 95 in Georgia lately.  It is, by far, the worse part of the trip for traffic. Regularly down to 55-60 in the left lane with no opportunity to pass. Jacksonville to Brunswick is fine, but from there through Savannah until the interchange with 26 is awful. North of Charlotte to the VA border is the second worst. 

42 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

That suggests you haven't been on 95 in Georgia lately.  It is, by far, the worse part of the trip for traffic. Regularly down to 55-60 in the left lane with no opportunity to pass. Jacksonville to Brunswick is fine, but from there through Savannah until the interchange with 26 is awful. North of Charlotte to the VA border is the second worst. 

That is true lol. It's been 28 years since I have been through that stretch of GA and it was always a little hairy just because of the law enforcement presence back then. Sounds like traffic flow is the big issue now with the population blow up in that area. There are parts of I-40 like that (looking at you Memphis, TN and Little Rock, AR).

1 minute ago, surreal1272 said:

That is true lol. It's been 28 years since I have been through that stretch of GA and it was always a little hairy just because of the law enforcement presence back then. Sounds like traffic flow is the big issue now with the population blow up in that area. There are parts of I-40 like that (looking at you Memphis, TN and Little Rock, AR).

Yeah, for most of the length it is still 2 lanes each direction.  There's room to expand it, but they just haven't. 

4 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

 I must have been a long haul driver in a past life. I have done the I-40 drive from NC to AZ five times and I don’t stop unless I need gas or if the rare bladder emergency comes up, I will stop but overall, I will drive 300-400 miles without stopping. I do not F around on highway once I get going lol. 

Yup, I agree, I must have been a long haul trucker in my past life as I could easily go 500 miles in the Escalade before I would stop for fuel and bathroom break, then off again. In the last couple years with Covid, the road trips the wife and I took are now very much like @Drew Dowdell stated, about 200 to 300 miles before a stop for the bathroom and stretch the legs. Crazy how the body changes as we get older.

4 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

I’m six months from fifty and still do it lol. The odd thing is that I have been told that I have the bladder of an infant lol but when I hit the highway, I apparently forget I even have a bladder. Something about those long drives put me in a certain mode and I just lock in and keep it going, sometimes to my detriment as far as sleep goes (two of those drives have involved literally zero sleep). I totally get it though. It gets tougher the older you get. 

Your going to be like me, hit 52/53 and everything changes, now at 55 200 to 300 miles at most before either need to stretch the legs or bathroom break.

2 hours ago, David said:

Yup, I agree, I must have been a long haul trucker in my past life as I could easily go 500 miles in the Escalade before I would stop for fuel and bathroom break, then off again. In the last couple years with Covid, the road trips the wife and I took are now very much like @Drew Dowdell stated, about 200 to 300 miles before a stop for the bathroom and stretch the legs. Crazy how the body changes as we get older.

Your going to be like me, hit 52/53 and everything changes, now at 55 200 to 300 miles at most before either need to stretch the legs or bathroom break.

I think I’m already there lol. The last drive was two and half years ago and I don’t think I could drive that long without more breaks due to multiple health issues with my back and hips these days. 

Very cool additional pics on GM's Design Studio Instagram site.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfEkrVMu6ku/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

38 minutes ago, David said:

Very cool additional pics on GM's Design Studio Instagram site.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfEkrVMu6ku/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Admittedly, the silver Buick on the right has the front end of a C8 Corvette with the back end of a coupe-like crossover.  The elder model in blue looks so much better.

GM Design has poste more images of the Wildcat on their Instagram account. Have to say I really like this car.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMtYewp_aj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Really like this green/white two tone. yes the white will get dirty fast, but at least it is not the boring all black.