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  • The Chevrolet Volt and its electric motor aim to change the way people look at the automobile by becoming the first true electric car to catch on with consumers.

    Not a Hybrid

    The Volt has occasionally been mislabeled as a hybrid car, although this is a misnomer. The Volt has only one operational motor, a 161-horsepower 45-kilowatt electric motor. This motor is capable of moving the Volt from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of at least 100 mph.

    Battery Pack

    The Volt runs on a high-voltage battery pack comprised of LG Chem lithium-ion energy cells, assembled with GM software and cooling systems. The Volt is charged by plugging it into a 110- or 220-volt wall outlet (common in almost any home). It charges overnight during the course of about 6 hours with a 110-volt outlet or about half that time with the 220-volt outlet.

    Range

    With a full charge, the Volt can drive for up to 40 miles without using any gasoline whatsoever. After that, a small on-board gasoline engine will begin producing power for the electric motor, giving the car an effective range of upward of 400 miles.

    Gas Engine

    The reason Volt is often mislabeled a hybrid is the small gasoline engine on-board. However, this engine's only function is to provide power for the electric motor when its stored power runs low. It has no connection to the wheels, no gears and only runs at one RPM.

    Cost and Release

    The Volt is officially slated to release in November 2010, with a sticker price estimated to be around $40,000. While the initial cost may seem high, the average overall cost to charge the Volt overnight is estimated at about $0.85.

    Source:

    GM-Volt.com

    More Information:

    Official Chevrolet Volt Website

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