GM charges up the Chevy Volt

[Donger]

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...x.html?cnn=yes

General Motors unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on Tuesday, allowing outsiders their first full look at the car GM says will go on sale in 2010.

"The Volt symbolizes GM's commitment to the future," said Rick Wagoner, the company's chairman and CEO.

The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to run for up to about 40 miles without using gasoline.

GM did not announce pricing for the car, which will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, the automaker said.

The car's zero-to-sixty time will be under nine seconds, said GM vehicle line director Tony Posawatz. That would make the performance about average for a modern car

"The center of gravity of the car, with the center battery pack, it's going to have real great ride and handling," said Posawatz.

To charge the batteries, drivers will plug a cord into a port just ahead of the driver's side mirror. The cord can then be attached to an ordinary home electrical outlet.

The car will cost "less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee" to recharge, and use less electricity annually than a refrigerator, according to GM. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity, GM said, compared with 12 cents a mile on gasoline at a price of $3.60 a gallon.

As the battery begins to run down as the car is in use, a small gasoline engine will turn on and generate enough electricity to drive the car about 300 miles, said GM.

Unlike hybrid cars, or plug-in hybrids, the Volt is driven only by electricity. The gasoline engine never directly drives the car's wheels.

[Donger]

Pic:

[jAZ]

Great news!

[Donger]

Originally Posted by jAZ

Great news!

Indeed. I'd like to see what the sticker is going to be, though.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Awesome. Great idea.

[xbarretx]

come on big bucks..no whammy's...and.. STOP!

[jiveturkey]

Great looking car and a great step forward IMO. This could help GM a lot. I'll certainly consider making it my next car.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed. I'd like to see what the sticker is going to be, though.

I've heard reports of 30-40. I'd imagine it will be higher than anticipated since they had to move back the release date.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Donger]

$35,000 - $40,000? That's not really that bad, but the ROI is pretty poor. Still, it'll be nice to have the option.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed. I'd like to see what the sticker is going to be, though.

Me too. I am somewhat disappointed though I thought it was suppose to be out this year?

[MIAdragon]

Id take a long look at it for around 30-35K.

[xbarretx]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Id take a long look at it for around 30-35K.

nah it really depends on how long the batteries last. if your having to get them replaced after 100k ........

[triple]

I think paying $40,000 for a car is ridiculous, but get it into the 20s and I'll own one.

It looks a lot better now than the concept did.

One question though - how fast does it charge? If I drive 20 miles each way to work (i do) can I charge it up all the way in the 7 or 8 hours I'm sleeping?

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by xbarretx

nah it really depends on how long the batteries last. if your having to get them replaced after 100k ........

I would hope that price or technology associated with these cars would have improved by the time I put 100k on the car.

[triple]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I would hope that price or technology associated with these cars would have improved by the time I put 100k on the car.

Even if the new battery is a thousand bucks or more, GM owners are already used to having to replace their transmissions before 100k so it's no big deal.