General Motors has unveiled the Chevrolet Volt - a vehicle that the company claims can deliver up to 40 miles of gasoline and emissions-free electric driving.
"Revealing the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century," said Rick Wagoner, GM's Chairman and CEO. "The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today's and tomorrow's energy and environmental challenges."
The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips of over 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is exhausted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit and also charges the battery.
The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged either into a 120 V or 240 V outlet for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240 V outlet or about eight hours on a 120 V outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. At a cost of about 80 cents a day for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM says that the Volt will be cheaper to recharge than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee. Charging the Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.
GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. This allows a cost savings of $1,500 annually.
Commercial production of the Volt is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced. Visit media.gm.com/volt for more information.
The Chevrolet Volt falls among a new class of vehicles known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REVs.
Some of Volt's interior technological features include:
- Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display
- Standard seven-inch touch screen vehicle information display
- Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls
- Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage
- Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming
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