Warren, Mich. — The Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle will achieve 230 miles per gallon (mpg) in city driving, according to General Motors Corp. The Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 for model year 2011, is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator.
GM said it will announce pricing for 2011 vehicles closer to launch. First generation vehicles are expected to cost about $40,000.
GM says actual gas-free mileage will vary depending on travel distance and other factors, such as how much cargo or how many passengers are in the car and how much the air conditioner or other accessories are used. Based on the results of development testing of pre-production prototypes, the Volt has achieved 40 miles of electric-only driving in both EPA city and highway testing.
GM expects the Volt to consume as little as 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in city driving, based on EPA’s methodology. At the U.S. average cost of electricity (approximately 11 cents per kWh), a typical Volt driver would pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles, or less than 3 cents per mile.
The Chevrolet Volt provides two modes of operation: electric and extended-range. In electric mode, the Volt will not use gasoline or produce tailpipe emissions when driving. During this primary mode of operation, the Volt is powered by electrical energy stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
When the battery reaches a minimum state of charge, the Volt automatically switches to extended-range, or its secondary mode of operation, where an engine-generator produces electricity to power the vehicle, said GM. The energy stored in the battery supplements the engine-generator when additional power is needed during heavy accelerations or on steep inclines.