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GM Concept Car Sends Volt Through Auto Show

The Chevrolet Volt concept car was introduced at the North American International Auto Show. 

..........The Chevrolet Volt will draw power exclusively from a next-generation battery pack recharged by a small onboard engine.

Just when the Volt will actually be in dealer's showrooms depends upon develop of the batteries that will power the car. 

The Volt is designed to run for 40 miles on pure electric power, making it practical for everyday family use.

For the average American driver who drives 40 miles a day, or 15,000 miles a year. 

The Volt will require no fuel and result in the annual savings of 500 gallons of gasoline, GM predicts.

Pure Electric Power

The Volt design is not like gas-electric hybrids.  These use a parallel system combining battery power with an internal combustion engine.  The Volt will run on mostly pure electric power.

As you may remember GM at one time had an experimental electric car program called

GM says the Volt will have advantages over the over the old EV1. It will be powered by smaller batteries that feature faster recharging.  The car will be designed with more room for passengers and a faster maximum highway speed.

For most drivers, the Volt will use little or no gasoline.

Battery Technology

The Volt's combustion engine is designed only as a supplement to keep its batteries charged. Battery technology is key to the next generation of hybrid vehicles as automakers seek ways to lower the cost of batteries and increase their power and storage capacity.

The Volt will be equipped with new lithium-ion battery packs.  This advanced battery design holds a charge longer than the nickel metal hydride batteries now used in auto.

GM hopes to have the Volt in production around the same time the lithium-ion batteries are widely available.  That could be as soon as two years from the car's auto show introduction. 

GM has announced it also plans to introduce hybrid systems in its Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Malibu cars and in its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

Are you ready to buy a hybrid car?

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