150 M.P.G. Chevy Volt in Chicago

General Motors astounding electric breakthrough car on display at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, and in June 2008 the Board of Directors of General Motors authorized funding for production of the Volt with sales expected to begin in 2010. GM's goal is an electric car with a 40 mile all-electric range that can continue for another 360 miles with the addition of a secondary flex fuel engine to keep the battery charged. The Volt is a serial hybrid design, uses advanced lithium batteries with plug-in recharging. Composite body materials reduce weight. The Volt is expected to provide the same convenience as a regular car with little or no gas used for the first 40 miles. The production model of the Volt will not look exactly like the "concept" car seen in this (February 2007) Chicago Auto Show video because since 2007 there have been further improvements to the car's aerodynamic design. Another recent development (August 2008) may be the use of natural gas in addition to gasoline (dual fuel) capability.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• cars
• autos
• Chevy
• Volt
• srschrier
• chicago
• hybrid
• lithium
• batteries
• automotive
• transportation

[liveoilfree]

The VOLT ... is a HOAX. If GM were serious, it would at least admit that past EVs were successful, and that a 40-mile-range EV is nothing new.

The Toyota RAV4-EV, last sold in Nov., 2002, still has over 100 miles range on NiMH batteries.

[2video]

Gas prices (October 2008) are again cycling down which may lower public interest in EVs. It looks like the EV wheel's being reinvented again. Only time will tell.

[proverb311031]

why won't you listen to use we want full eletric cars or we will go elsewhere for want we want, so you will lose market share!

[2video]

They are losing market share so the Volt may be too little too late. At least several other car makers have announced their own EVs or hybrids.

[bhatiainc]

I came to know that Chicago used to have a very good transit system that made it nonsense to drive cars in that area. The transit system was then bought out by oil companies and demolished to make roads.

Same thing happened with EV1, what are oil companies going to do now???

[zieg11119]

one thing I, m pretty sure the government will

make there money having us pay a tool every time you drive your car in the road or they have a electric meter to get there taxes paid for using the car, you can't win for losing every time.But still we us consumer

are winners, for the technology and also save the earth, and this human kind.

[heartlessvietboy]

The Chevrolet Volt is not 230 miles per gallon. It is 75 miles per gallon. 40miles on electricity and 35miles on the gas engine generator. 75 miles per gallon is a whole lot better than 25 miles per gallon in any other regular car we drive. You can drive 0 miles per gallon on electric mode alone if you want.

[TranCendenZ]

Nissan already built a superior "eco" car that gets an "equivalent" of 367 mpg. It's called the Nissan Leaf, and it will be priced competitively with the Toyota Prius.

Nobody who is interested in "eco" cars is willing to pay $40,000 to $48,000 for a Chevy Volt. The Volt will have high maintenance costs if it is consistently unreliable as past GM cars.

[SERIIOUS24]

is it a 4 door?  icant tell

[emforty2]

1.5 million ugly prius on the roads

volt=0 an unproven technology that does NOT EXIST

prove it !

[Ryantravisaol]

lol so true. at least the volt is attractive. The Prius looks like it was designed to be an incubator.

[Chrono348]

It goes 45 miles before the Gas Generator kicks on. and has a range of over 640 ish miles. Also I love the idea that is has the gas engine, this alone gives it the advantage over most or all other EV's because you have that increased range making it a viable choice to buy and use not only as a short distance / town car, but also as a long distance commuter car. Very Smart Idea by GM. Also that EV1 was outrageously over priced for what it did.

[ibpointless2]

Its funny how the volt can only go 40 miles sometime in 2010 but the first EV1 with heavy old lead acid batteries Got 60 miles in 1996

[emforty2]

OVER 1 MILLION Prius sold worldwide since 1997 when gas was 98 cents a gallon

ok Volt which doesnt exist is coming in 2 years or so if it even ever comes out !

don't get your hopes too high