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.

[underEJ]

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

So I can pay $30-$40k for a car that will get me back and forth to work once in a day....and I have to charge it for 10 hours?

No thanks.

On the gasoline engine alone it is estimated to get 50-60mpg, any charge beyond that just increases that. If you mostly commute less than 20 miles and back per day, you can extend that to hundreds of mpg. for the target audience, it's a slightly high but well worth considering price.

a bit plain though. the concept car was beautiful.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by Donger

Watt?

ohm my god. just stop. resistance is futile.

we gotta take the power back.

[Ebolapox]

no stop signs, speed limits...

sorry, angus made me do it.