How many miles does the newest GM volt electric car will get per gallon of gasoline?
The Chevrolet Volt, GM’s electric car that’s expected to go on sale in late 2010, is projected to get an estimated 230 miles per gallon, the automaker announced Tuesday. That exceptionally high government mileage rating could give the Volt a major boost. For the first time, car buyers will easily be able to compare electric cars with ordinary gas-powered cars. “Having a car that gets triple-digit fuel economy can and will be a game changer for us,” said GM CEO Fritz Henderson. Determining fuel economy for an electric car is a tricky matter, and General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency for years on the issue. Basically, you will be able to drive the Volt for about 40 miles using the lithium-ion batteries. For those driving less than that, gas mileage is essentially unlimited. It is only after 40 miles that the Volt will start using gas. “Most Volt drivers will operate on a daily basis without having to use a single drop of gas,” said Hen
General Motors said Tuesday its new Chevy Volt will get 230 miles per gallon in the city, dwarfing the current mileage leader and giving the automaker reason to crow about its strides in fuel efficiency. GM, fresh out of bankruptcy, is looking to the Volt to highlight a parade of 25 new vehicles by 2011 aimed at stemming market-share declines and bringing the automaker back to profitability. The Volt could also give GM a much-needed makeover in terms of its reputation for lagging behind the push toward “green” technology. Scheduled for late 2010, the Volt will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single charge, based on testing of pre-production prototypes and extend its overall range to 300 miles or more using a flex fuel-powered engine-generator. The small engine is only used to power the battery. Sources: http://www.marketwatch.
