Holy Volted Metal, Batman!

Overheal

You just hope to gods its true. And not some other white whale.

I guess there is something smart about a government buying out a car company after all. I hope.

http://gizmodo.com/5334669/chevy-volt-to-get-230-mpg-city-fuel-economy-rating

Sources tell us GM CEO Fritz Henderson will announce today the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle will receive a city fuel economy rating of 230 MPG from the EPA when it hits showroom floors later next year. Holy game-changer, Batman!

This story's still developing, but if our sources are correct, it would blow the Toyota Prius out of the water. Heck, it'd blow every other vehicle currently on the market out of the water with the exception of the Tesla roadster — and that's no four-door mid-size sedan. So for GM this represents a huge marketing coup — the ability to claim the most fuel efficient vehicle in the world and a big blow to detractors who claim the big, sweaty 'merican manufacturer can't build quality products.


We'll have more out of GM's Warren Technical Center as the General holds their big product showcase event throughout the day.

Price point, $40,000?

Overheal

Even at 60MPG, it begins changing the face of the game.

JHMEG

It hasn't a hope of getting 60mpg.

A 1.4L petrol engine charging batteries which in turn drive an electric motor is a lot less efficient than a 1.4L petrol engine driving the wheels. As is no 1.4L petrol engined car can do 60mpg on the combined cycle.

The volts figures are indeed misleading but they get it publicity, none of which is bad.

Alanstrainor

JHMEG wrote: »

It hasn't a hope of getting 60mpg.

A 1.4L petrol engine charging batteries which in turn drive an electric motor is a lot less efficient than a 1.4L petrol engine driving the wheels. As is no 1.4L petrol engined car can do 60mpg on the combined cycle.

The volts figures are indeed misleading but they get it publicity, none of which is bad.

But the point being made, although misleading, is that when "plugged in" over night, for the first 40 miles it can run on solely electric power. And a lot of people don't even do that kind of distance a day. The 1.4 petrol engine is the secondary engine in this case, only kicking in when the electric engine is nearly depleted.

Mr Benevolent

It's exactly the same concept that diesel-electric trains have used for years. Once diesel EREVs and hybrids take off we'll see really good genuine mpg.

JHMEG

Alanstrainor wrote: »

But the point being made, although misleading, is that when "plugged in" over night, for the first 40 miles it can run on solely electric power. And a lot of people don't even do that kind of distance a day. The 1.4 petrol engine is the secondary engine in this case, only kicking in when the electric engine is nearly depleted.

I get the point, even tho it's been made in a very misleading way.

I'm all for the Volt, but it is the beginning, and not the end.

biko

Great concept and if it means that MPGs are higher for shorter trips it'll be good for commutes, usually only 10-20 miles or so.