GM has high hopes for Chevrolet Volt Electric Car

25 New GM Models Expected to Revamp Sagging GM Market share

In recent years, General Motors has seen a downward trend in US market share, and one strategy to turn this around has resulted in the new electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. General Motors hopes the new Chevrolet Volt, one of 25 new models to be launched by year 2011 (a result of restructuring), will help boost market share and help build a greener image for the automaker. Automakers are rushing for EV market share based on the prediction that within the next four years, electric vehicles will represent at least 10% of all automobiles sold.

The new Chevrolet Volt, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, claims an amazing 230mpg in the city (there's no highway rating). Although it's important to know that the car uses no gasoline at all for distances under 40 miles, beyond which a gas generator turns on.

235 MPG Rating is Based on Electrical and Gas Usage

GM rates the Chevrolet Volt at 235 MPG for city driving, which dwarfs any current MPG standard. Unfortunately, the MPG number given for the volt might not accurately reflect the cost of electricity, and there is no current official EPA standard for MPG with electric vehicles. The Chevy Volt is a plug in electric vehicle, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack which uses no gas at all under the 40 mile range. The complete range of the Chevy Volt is 300 miles for one gas tank and a full electric charge. Beyond 40 miles, a gas power generator charges the battery. Unfortunately, people who frequently drive the Chevy Volt beyond the 40 mile range will not experience the same mileage benefits (according to the US department of tranportation, less than 20% of population exceeds 40 miles per day).

GM Chief Executive Frederick 'Fritz' Henderson stated that the Chevrolet Volt 'will be a game-changer for us.'

MPG Savings May Not be As Large as Implied

Some experts claim that although the Volt claims 230mpg, the actual total cost savings (when you include electricity costs) compared to a vehicle like the Toyota Prius (51mpg) might only be about 7.5mpg. GM states that the MPG rating they gave the Volt is based on government survey data associated with expected vehicle usage and based on preliminary EPA drafts of a new MPG type standard which will include electric vehicles. This EPA standard is not yet finalized or available for public review, although we do know it attempts to factor in electricity usage when reaching an MPG equivalent. It is also important to note that the EPA has not tested the volt, and in fact, there is no offical EPA standard yet for the public, so this will probably not be done in the immediate future. The EPA does hope a new MPG standard will simplify things for consumers and allowed them to compare gas powered fuel usage vs electrical vehicle fuel and energy usage.

230 MPG for the Chevy Volt is City only (Highway Numbers Not Released Yet)

Although the combined city & highway mileage of the Volt has not be released, the official statement from GM is that this number will be in the triple digits. The Volt will have some competition; Nissan Motor Co. has announced the new Leaf EV (electric vehicle) which will get 367 mpg based on the new EPA draft guidelines. The downside to the Leaf is that is is a pure electric vehicle, and the total range is 100 miles, after which the battery will need a recharge. The Volt has a total range of 300 miles before it needs either gasoline or a recharge to continue.

Chevy Volt $40,000 vs Toyota Prius $22,000

The total expected cost of the Chevy Volt is $40,000, although a $7,500 tax credit is available as well. The Volt will has a few hurdles to overcome: it costs nearly twice as much as the $22,000 Prius and there is a lack of public charging stations for the plug in vehicle. The research costs and development of the technology to run the volt were high and GM does not expect much profit if any from the vehicle unless sales are extremely high. GM Chief Executive Frederick 'Fritz' Henderson says GM expects a positive net cash flow by 2011, although much of this is based on high expectations for the Volt and other new vehicles coming in 2011 including high end compact Buicks and Cadillacs and a convertible Camaro as well as a new Chevy Aveo subcompact.

Tags: Electric Car, Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Zero Emissions, Environmentally Friendly, Future of Cars, EV, Hybrid, Chevy Volt Electric Vehicle, Toyota Prius, Dodge Circuit EV, Nissan Leaf EV, BMW Mini E, E-mini, GM Buick Plug-In SUV, EPA MPG