In Detroit: The Chevrolet Volt concept sedan, powered by the E-flex system (GM’s next-generation electric drive system), offers a remarkable design that could eliminate trips to the gas station.
The Chevrolet Volt is a battery-powered four-passenger electric vehicle outfitted with top-of-the-line Chevy parts and uses a gasoline engine to create additional electricity to extend its range. The Volt concept was derived from GM’s previous experience in the modern electric vehicle market, particularly in 1996 when it launched the EV1.
According to GM Vice President Robert A. Lutz, “The EV1 was the benchmark in battery technology and it was a great achievement. The Chevrolet Volt is a new breed of electric vehicle. It addresses the problem of range and has room for passengers and their belongings. You can walk up a hill or turn on the air conditioner and not worry about it.”
But despite GM Chairman Lutz’s encouraging words, a large number of people frown on the idea primarily because electric vehicles have limitations such as limited range, limited passenger or luggage space, inability to drive up hills or to drive the air conditioner without draining the water. battery plus there is no device that can help you in case the battery charge runs out. —GM has resolved all of the aforementioned issues with its Volt.
The Volt can be charged by simply plugging it into a 110 volt outlet for six hours. When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt is capable of covering 60 urban kilometers with the range of a pure electric vehicle. In the event the battery runs out, a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine spins at a constant speed (measured in rpm) producing electricity while simultaneously recharging the battery.
President Lutz further explains: “If you lived 50 km from work (100 km round trip) and charged your vehicle every night when you got home or during the day at work, you would get a fuel economy of 1.6 liters per 100 km Plus More than half of all Americans live within 30 km of their workplace (60 km round trip), in which case, you may never burn a drop of gasoline during your lifetime of the car”.
The Volt is also capable of running 4.7 1/100 km even when empty of charge. It makes use of its engine to convert gasoline into electricity and extend its range of up to 1,030 km, which is double the capacity of any conventional vehicle. It is also designed to run on E85, which is a fuel blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
The Volt is just a variant of the E-flex system and uses a large battery and a small 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces enough electricity to go 1030 km. GM will introduce the other variants of the E-flex at future auto shows.
