The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced.
Chevrolet Volt: What is an E-REV?
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as its secondary power source to propel the vehicle.
An E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt represents a significant departure from conventional hybrids. In a E-REV, the wheels are turned by an electric drive unit, whereas in conventional hybrids the wheels are turned by an electric motor, a gasoline engine, or both. For short trips, E-REVs will run on battery power alone.
For longer trips, additional electricity can be supplied by an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The battery and propulsion systems are sized so that when sufficient energy is available from the battery, the engine (or fuel cell) is not required for operation. During this electric only phase of driving, the battery, motor, and power electronics are designed to deliver full performance, acceleration, top speed, hill climbing on electric power alone.
How Chevrolet Volt works
Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without using a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Chevrolet Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
Chevrolet Volt: Fast Facts
* The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary energy source and gasoline as its secondary energy source to propel the vehicle. Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
* The Chevy Volt will use no gasoline and produce no emissions for up to 60 kilometers of daily driving, helping to save approximately 1,900 liters of gasoline a year (compared to a similar sized vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
* GM estimates that drivers who travel 100 kilometers a day (more than 33,500 kilometers miles per year) could save about 2,100 liters of gasoline annually (compared to a similar size vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
* The Chevrolet Volt operates differently from all other propulsion systems. An electric drive unit (electric motor) drives the wheels at all times and at all speeds. The Volt's range-extending engine serves only to create electricity to power the vehicle beyond 60 kilometers.
* Depending on the drive cycle, an E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt will eliminate most initial engine starts and substantially reduce associated vehicle emissions.
* Thanks to instantaneous torque, the Chevy Volt will be a fun-to-drive car with quick acceleration.
* At current prices per kilowatt hour, GM estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Chevrolet Volt will cost about one-sixth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle. It is estimated that it will cost about 0.02 euro per kilometer to drive electrically vs. 0.12 euro using gasoline at current prices.
* Most Chevy Volts are likely to be charged off-peak in the evening or overnight when consumption is lower, potentially further reducing the cost of recharging.
* Charging the Chevrolet Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.
* At a cost of about 1 euro a day for a full charge that will deliver up to 60 kilometers of electric driving, for most owners the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a daily cup of your favorite branded coffee.
* The beautiful aerodynamic design of the Chevrolet Volt production car helps to improve both fuel economy and driving performance.
* GM's Board of Directors approved the production of the Chevrolet Volt. The targeted launch date is late 2010 as a 2011 model.
Chevrolet Volt: What is an E-REV?
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as its secondary power source to propel the vehicle.
An E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt represents a significant departure from conventional hybrids. In a E-REV, the wheels are turned by an electric drive unit, whereas in conventional hybrids the wheels are turned by an electric motor, a gasoline engine, or both. For short trips, E-REVs will run on battery power alone.
For longer trips, additional electricity can be supplied by an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The battery and propulsion systems are sized so that when sufficient energy is available from the battery, the engine (or fuel cell) is not required for operation. During this electric only phase of driving, the battery, motor, and power electronics are designed to deliver full performance, acceleration, top speed, hill climbing on electric power alone.
How Chevrolet Volt works
Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without using a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Chevrolet Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
Chevrolet Volt: Fast Facts
* The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary energy source and gasoline as its secondary energy source to propel the vehicle. Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
* The Chevy Volt will use no gasoline and produce no emissions for up to 60 kilometers of daily driving, helping to save approximately 1,900 liters of gasoline a year (compared to a similar sized vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
* GM estimates that drivers who travel 100 kilometers a day (more than 33,500 kilometers miles per year) could save about 2,100 liters of gasoline annually (compared to a similar size vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
* The Chevrolet Volt operates differently from all other propulsion systems. An electric drive unit (electric motor) drives the wheels at all times and at all speeds. The Volt's range-extending engine serves only to create electricity to power the vehicle beyond 60 kilometers.
* Depending on the drive cycle, an E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt will eliminate most initial engine starts and substantially reduce associated vehicle emissions.
* Thanks to instantaneous torque, the Chevy Volt will be a fun-to-drive car with quick acceleration.
* At current prices per kilowatt hour, GM estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Chevrolet Volt will cost about one-sixth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle. It is estimated that it will cost about 0.02 euro per kilometer to drive electrically vs. 0.12 euro using gasoline at current prices.
* Most Chevy Volts are likely to be charged off-peak in the evening or overnight when consumption is lower, potentially further reducing the cost of recharging.
* Charging the Chevrolet Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.
* At a cost of about 1 euro a day for a full charge that will deliver up to 60 kilometers of electric driving, for most owners the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a daily cup of your favorite branded coffee.
* The beautiful aerodynamic design of the Chevrolet Volt production car helps to improve both fuel economy and driving performance.
* GM's Board of Directors approved the production of the Chevrolet Volt. The targeted launch date is late 2010 as a 2011 model.
