GM unveils production version of Chevrolet Volt PHEV plug-in hybrid car

General Motors Tuesday [17 Sep] unveiled its electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, on the company's 100th anniversary. The Chevrolet Volt has a battery-powered electric motor that runs the car for up to 65 km [40 miles]. The Volt can be charged in 8 hours from a 120V outlet or 3 hours with a 240V outlet. GM estimates the Volt will cost about 2 cents per mile to drive with battery power, compared to 12 cents per mile with gasoline priced at US$3.60 per gallon. Production of the Volt in the US should begin in 2010. The company has not officially announced a price for the car, but it is expected to cost more than US$30,000. The Volt is part of a trend in the US automobile industry to move towards smaller, more environmentally-friendly cars as customers abandon large and gas-guzzling SUV's.

The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept car, as GM designers created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. The GM Chevrolet Volt leads a new class of vehicle - the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV. The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, 220-cell lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit and charge the battery, which extends the Volt's range for several hundred additional miles. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers 150 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of torque.

- The production version of the Chevrolet Volt looks somewhat different from the early concept photos, apparently for aerodynamic reasons. At least the most important part, the drivetrain has remained. Interesting how they are trying to define a new vehicle class. E-REV indeed. As far as I'm concerned, this is a serial plug-in hybrid.

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