Chevy Volt Hybrid Electric Car

By: Rob Adams
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 13, 2009

Chevy Volt Release Date and Availability

The Chevy Volt is a new Hybrid electric car made by GM (General Motors Corp). The GM electric vehicle is built with a new revolutionary propulsion system. Chevy Volt, also known as an Extended-Range Vehicle, will enter the market in late 2010. The Chevrolet Volt can travel up to 40 miles without using a single drop of gasoline.

One thing that separates this Chevy Hybrid car from others is the zero tailpipe emissions. Since the GM Volt is powered by electricity, it will produce lower overall emissions than vehicles powered by gasoline. Clean energy which provides electricity today is generated by a wide variety of different methods including wind, solar, hydropower and nuclear.

GM released some additional information that suggests the Volt could achieve a 230 MPG (miles per gallon) rating. This fuel rating is based on a new calculation set by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The new system measures the mileage of plug-in cars based on 25 kilowatt-hours/100 miles electrical efficiency. However, the EPA is expected to explore a new system that will comply with better MPG standards for electric vehicles.

The purpose of the calculation is to allow Hybrid electric car manufacturers to display the information on every new vehicle. This will help car buyers understand the difference between MPG and kilowatt-hours because utility rates are different. The average cost during non-peak hours to charge a plug-in electric automobile is around $0.75 to $2.50. The gas engine on the Chevy Volt can also recharge the plug-in battery.

Chevy Volt is designed for commuters who drive less than 40 miles per day. The plug-in hybrid has a new revolutionary propulsion system to generate electric power with a gasoline engine. It provides extended drives when combined with the lithium-ion battery and gas-powered engine.

Engineers worked on reducing aerodynamic drag while keeping the striking look of the Volt. This produced a rounder, smoother appearance that resulted in a coefficient of drag that is a 30 percent improvement over the first Volt concept automobile. Since the Volt relies on electricity as its primary fuel source, preserving the power stored in its battery is most important.

Designing the Volt with more aerodynamics is vital to the Volt battery. This means the battery doesn't have to work as hard and will last longer to extend its gas-free mileage. To make sure the Volt was indeed smooth from front to back, hundreds of hours were spent in a wind tunnel examining and adjusting things like the front and rear corner panels, the rear spoiler, the rocker panels, and the side mirrors.

GM released its Chevy Volt pricing to be around $39,000. The premiere price does not include additional non-standard options for the car. Also, GM does not expect to make a profit on its first-generation Chevy Volt.