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Sunday, March 6, 2011
Beginning December 2010, the Chevrolet Volt will be on sale in limited quantitites and in limited markets in the United States. This unique car, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and supplemented by a 1.4-liter four cylinder engine, has been in the works for several years. The hype has far exceeded the product's impact, nonetheless the Chevy Volt could eventually lay the groundwork for future vehicles utilizing what GM calls its Voltec technology.
Modern EV
What is so special about the Volt? Many things including that it will allow GM to finally say that it has built and sold an electric car. GM did build a modern electric car dubbed the EV1 beginning in the 1990s, but that program was canceled. GM never got beyond the test phase for those vehicles and received criticism for "killing the electric car" with some people suggesting a widespread conspiracy with the oil companies.
Conspiracy theory aside, the earlier electric vehicle or EV likely cost too much to produce and that technology wasn't as advanced as what will be found in the Chevy Volt. For one, the lithium-ion battery pack is far superior than the nickel-cadmium pack used in the EV1, offering better range and lighter materials. In addition, the testing GM has been doing with the Volt demonstrates that the car won't wilt under Arizona desert driving conditions or freeze up in a Minnesota winter.
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.
