The Toyota Prius has taken seniority as the most eco-friendly and fuel efficient car on the market. However, a new breed and model is about to make its entrance: the Chevy Volt. The Volt is a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle produced by General Motors with an expected release date set in late November of 2010.
How an Electric Car Works
The Chevy Volt will be the first mass-production automobile to achieve triple-digit fuel economy, with an expected 230 mpg in the city. The vehicle is powered by electricity from its onboard lithium-ion batteries which are charged by an electrical power outlet and a reserve gasoline engine.
The Volt’s battery can be fully charged by plugging the car into a standard 120-240VAC residential electrical outlet using a SAE J1772 compliant charging cord that is provided by the manufacturer. There is no need for an external charging station.
This car is different from current hybrids due to the actual propulsion being accomplished exclusively by the electric motor. When the batteries are fully charged, enough electrical energy can power the Volt to go for 40 miles without the use of gasoline. After the 40 miles, a small 4-cylinder gasoline engine drives the car up to as much as 640 miles on a single tank.
Plug the car in overnight for a charge of 8-10 hours and by morning batteries are fully charged and ready to handle the roadways.
How Much is a Chevy Volt?
The price of the Volt in the US is expected to be around $40,000. The federal government has approved a $7,500 tax credit that can be applied to the purchase of this car bringing the price down to $32,500.
The cost of this car is relatively high when compared to current hybrids that retail for under $30,000. However, the car becomes more affordable and closer to a target price of $30,000 with a tax credit. GM also hopes to lower the price with subsequent releases and improvements of the car with future generations.
GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per a mile while powered by the battery whereas a car powered by gasoline at $3.60 a gallon will cost about 12 cents per mile. With the average person driving roughly 40 miles a day (15,000 miles per year), this equals an estimated cost savings of $1,500 a year.
The Chevy Volt Design
The Volt is a small, five-door hatchback that is similar in design and shape to the Toyota Prius but a bit more streamlined. The inside of the car has a high tech look including an LCD display that users can configure to monitor battery usage. The car comfortably seats four adults.
The Chevy Volt will be great for the average individual with a commute of 40 miles or less a day. More than two-thirds of Americans drive less than 40 miles a day. With this being the case, an overnight charge of the car’s battery will keep this car running without a drop of gasoline for the average consumer.
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