Few vehicles have captured the imagination of the US public quite like the Chevrolet Volt – and now General Motors has revealed some astonishing estimates for the vehicle.
It expects the Volt to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230mpg given a single charge per day.
Based on the same draft Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology, the Volt would deliver triple digit combined cycle fuel economy along with combined cycle electricity consumption of 25kWh/100miles. Using the average cost of electricity in the US (around 11 cents per kWh), GM believes a Volt driver would pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles – less than three cents per mile.
GM CEO Fritz Henderson said that from the data the company has seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to use pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use hardly any petrol. He describes the figures from the Volt as a ‘game changer’ as long as the Volt driver plugs the vehicle into the electric grid at least once a day.
The reports do come with a disclaimer, however. Both GM and the EPA point out that the methodology is not finalised and the data is preliminary. Nevertheless, the 230 city mpg number is a great indication of the capabilities of the Volt’s electric propulsion system and its ability to displace petroleum. Actual testing with production vehicles will begin next year closer to the vehicle’s launch.
