General Motors is seeking to regain its hold in the auto industry by introducing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle known as the Chevrolet Volt. Launched in December 2010 as a 2011 model, it was first offered at a retail price of $41,000.00 before factory incentives, tax deductions and other subsidies. It is also available through a lease program consisting of 36 monthly payments of US $350.00 plus $2,500.00 at lease signing and an option to buy at the end of the lease term. At least seven regions were included in the initial launch area with nationwide availability expected to happen within 12 to 18 months.
The makers of Volt refer to it as an Extended Range Electric Vehicle because of the vehicle's range-extending gasoline powered internal combustion engine. General Motors purposely avoids the term "hybrid" to describe the Volt. However, industry experts see it as a plug-in series hybrid because the internal combustion engine and electric motor is combined in a series rather than parallel.
The Chevrolet Volt is a mid-sized car with a 5-door lift back body style. It has a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. Its engine consists of 149 hp electric motor and a 1.4 L 4-cylinder for powering a 74 hp generator. It measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and 1,430 mm in height. A person who drives less than 40 miles a day is guaranteed to use zero gasoline and produce zero emission. The Volt makes use of a gasoline powered, range extending engine which drives a generator to produce electric power when the lithium-ion battery is exhausted. This happens when the vehicle is driven beyond the 40-mile battery range.
With the expected rare use of the gas and generator, there are concerns about having unused gas going stale unnoticed. The engine must occasionally be cycled to keep this from happening as well as to keep the parts lubricated. Regular monitoring of the gas situation is being done by the vehicle's computer. A message will be given to the driver of the need to let the generator go and thus the need to go beyond the EV range. When the warning is ignored after two times, the Volt will start its generator to burn some fuel on its own which will stop upon completion of the engine and fuel maintenance mode. The car goes back to pure EV operation after.
The Volt sports a stylish and futuristic appeal and has a roomy interior featuring leather/suede upholstery, multi-level heating driver and passenger seats, rear seat bench, split-folding rear seatback, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, universal remote transmitter, keyless ignition, rear view camera and retained accessory power. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment and safety features such as Bluetooth wireless data link for navigation system and hands-free phone, built-in hard drive, video monitor, 4-wheel ABS. stability and traction control, airbags, child safety locks and seat anchors, remote anti-theft alarm system, passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation, and auto delay off headlamps, among others.
Dubbed as the only electric car that uses gas to create its own electricity, the Chevro let Volt allows access to other options if and when the plug-in option is not readily available.
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