The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by General Motors. The Volt has been on sale in the U.S. market since mid-December 2010, and is the most fuel-efficient compact car sold in the United States, as rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to General Motors the Volt can travel 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) on its lithium-ion battery alone. The EPA official all-electric range is 35 miles (56 km), and the total range is 379 miles (610 km). The EPA rated the Volt's combined city/highway fuel economy at 93 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPG-e) in all-electric mode, and at 37 mpg-US(6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp) in gasoline-only mode, for an overall combined gas-electric fuel economy rating of 60 mpg-US(3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg-imp) equivalent (MPG-e). The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its plug-in battery capacity is depleted; at which point its gasoline engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range. The Volt's regenerative braking also contributes to the on-board electricity generation. In order to improve performance, theinternal combustion engine may at times be engaged mechanically to assist both electric motors to propel the Volt.
The suggested retail price for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt in the U.S. starts at US$40,280 before the US$7,500 U.S. federal tax credit and additional incentives are available in some locations. The 2012 Volt base price will be US$1,005 less than the 2011 model, as the base configuration has been defeatured. The 2011 Volt is being sold only in selected U.S. markets and nationwide availability of the 2012 model year is expected by November 2011. The 2012 Volt will be available in Canada in the third quarter of 2011, and the suggested retail price starts at CAD 41,545 (US$43,568) before any available rebates. The initial Canadian launch is also limited to selected markets and availability in the rest of Canada is expected before the end of 2012. In the Eurozone the Volt platform will be sold as the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera, and is expected to be sold for about €42,900 (US$58,000) including VAT before any government incentives. In the United Kingdom the Vauxhall Ampera is expected to be priced at GB£33,995. Exports to Europe and China are scheduled for late 2011.
Among other awards and recognition, the Chevrolet Volt won the 2009 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year, 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, and 2011 World Green Car. Despite the awards earned and the positive reception from many automotive critics, there has been some controversy and concerns in the media. These include the extent of the federal government participation in the Volt development during General Motors' 2009 government-led bankruptcy; concerns about the Volt's relatively high sales price; and complaints about price markups due to the Volt's initial limited supply.
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| Manufacturer | Chevrolet division of General Motors |
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| Also called | Holden Volt Opel Ampera Vauxhall Ampera |
| Production | Dec 2010–present |
| Model years | 2011-present |
| Assembly | Detroit, Michigan, United States (Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly) |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Delta II / Voltec |
| Combustion engine | 1.4 L 4-cylinder range extender[1] |
| Electric motor | 111 kW (149 hp) 55 kW (74 hp) electric motor/generator units |
| Transmission | 4ET50 variable ratio |
| Battery | 16 kWh lithium-ion battery |
| Range | 379 miles (610 km) (EPA) |
| Electric Range | 35 miles (56 km) (EPA) 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) (GM) |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in (2,680 mm)[1] |
| Length | 177.1 in (4,500 mm) |
| Width | 70.4 in (1,790 mm) |
| Height | 56.6 in (1,440 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,781 lb (1,715 kg) |
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| Final production vehicle, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt |
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| Right side: the power inverter in top of the electric drive unit (electric motor) used for traction; left side: the 1.4-liter gasoline-powered engine used as a generator to provide power to the electric motor or to engage mechanically to assist propulsion when the battery is depleted |
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| Powertrain cut-away of the Volt showing both engines and the underfloor T shape tunnel where the battery pack is located |
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| The Volt seats only four people as the battery runs down the center of the car preventing a rear bench |
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| Inlet for the electrical charger in the left side of the Chevrolet Volt with the manufacture's provided charging cord |
Performance
The Volt has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). According to Edmunds.com road tests, the Volt's 0 to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time is 9.2 seconds running on electric-only mode, and 9.0 seconds with the gasoline engine assisting propulsion. Motor Trend reports the Volt's quarter mile (402 m) time is 16.9 sec @ 84.3 mph (135.7 km/h), while Edmunds reports a quarter mile (402 m) time of 16.8 sec @ 81.5 mph (131.2 km/h) in electric-only operation, and 16.6 sec @ 85.5 mph (137.6 km/h) with the gas engine assisting. Motor Trend reports a 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) braking distance of 112 ft (34 m) and Edmunds.com of 124 ft (38 m).
- Range
According to General Motors the Volt's all-electric range with a fully charged batteries varies from 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) depending on terrain, driving technique, temperature. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official all-electric range is 35 miles (56 km) with an energy consumption of 36 kWh per 100 miles (810 kJ/km). This range is based on the agency's five-cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls. The total range with a full tank of gasoline and a fully charged battery is 379 miles (610 km) according to EPA tests.
The Volt's fuel tank capacity is 9.3 US gallons (35 l; 7.7 imp gal) and once the car runs out of fuel, the gasoline-powered generator shuts down, and the Volt taps into the battery for extra power. The reserve battery power is designed to provide an extra 3 to 4 mi (4.8 to 6.4 km) of range once the gasoline tank is depleted. When the reserve battery power is low, the Volt safely slows to a stop.
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| 2011 Volt's rear view |
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| 2011 Volt's frontal view |
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| Production Volts at a test drive event in Washington, D.C. |
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| Opel Ampera frontal view |
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| Opel Ampera rear view |
Europe
The European version of the Volt, the Opel Ampera, was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2009 and also was exhibited at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. General Motors will offer in the European market the choice of the Volt or theOpel/Vauxhall Ampera, the European version of the same car. Opel is developing the battery control modules for the Opel Ampera at the GM Alternative Propulsion Center Europe in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. The production version of the Ampera was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
The main differences between the Volt and the Ampera are in their styling. The Ampera has a distinctive front and rear fascia, with a large cut-out in the rear bumper. The Opel Ampera features more stylized alloy wheels as standard, and the side skirts are body-colored rather than black plastic. In the inside there are only minor differences and both versions share the same exact powertrain and battery pack. A key operational difference is that the Ampera will have four drive modes, one more than the Volt. The additional option is "City Mode", which adapts battery management to the needs of commuter travel. City mode or "battery hold" engages the range-extender immediately, allowing to save the energy currently stored in the battery, and when switched off, the range-extender stops and the Ampera is then able to use the energy saved in the battery for pure electric driving, for example for traveling urban areas or restricted zones, such as the European low emission zones or to allow the Ampera to qualify for an exemption of the London congestion charge.
The Opel Ampera will benefit from several subsidies and tax breaks available for plug-in electric vehicles in several European countries. According to Opel, as of June 2011 around 5,000 customers across Europe have reserved an Ampera, with 3,000 reservations from corporate customers. The Ampera would be available for sale in Europe in late 2011, and will be assembled at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant, Michigan. For 2012 General Motors plans to manufacture 10,000 Amperas for sale in Europe, 6,000 destined for Opel and 4,000 for Vauxhall in the UK, plus an additional 2,000 Volts will be made available for the region. The carmaker will target the Ampera for business fleet market and local government agencies, where Opel has a strong customer base, while the Volt will be aimed at retail customers.
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| The Cadillac Converj, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, shares the Volt's Voltec powertrain. |
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