The world’s first extended-range electric vehicle
Chevrolet, relatively unknown in the UK so far is the first manufacturer to produce an extended-range electric vehicle. The Chevrolet Volt cleverly combines pure electric propulsion with an on-board range-extending generator in its innovative ‘Voltec’ drive train. Chevrolet is now proud to announce that the Volt will be eligible for the UK Government’s Plug In Grant, Chevrolet may just be about to get very popular in the UK!
Chevrolet UK’s MD, Mark Terry was very pleased to find out about the grant eligibility and said, “we are extremely pleased that the Government has accepted the Volt within its grant programme – as the first car in the world of its type, it means we can really hit the ground running when it arrives in the UK. Volt is an incredible car that has already changed the game in its home market – with its innovative range-extender motor, it’s the first no-compromise electric car that completely alleviates the range anxiety felt by users of pure electric vehicles, yet has the capacity to operate at all times with zero tailpipe emissions”.
Until the Volt, plug in electric cars had a limited mileage range of about 50-60 miles; the Volt can do 300 miles with 50 of those being entirely on electric power. The way the battery and petrol engines combine is fundamentally what makes the Volt different from other plug in hybrids. In the Volt, once the battery reaches a limited state of discharge, a petrol-powered generator kicks in to sustain battery charge until the car can be plugged in and recharged. Even with the motor running, the electric motor continues to drive the wheels, making it significantly different to hybrid electric vehicles.
Customer perception will change when the Volt goes on sale in 2012; it is not like your typical used Chevrolet in Llangefni. The Volt will showcase the amount of research and testing carried out by Chevrolet and GM to make the Volt different and much more practical.
Customer perception will change when the Volt goes on sale in 2012; it is not like your typical used Chevrolet in Llangefni. The Volt will showcase the amount of research and testing carried out by Chevrolet and GM to make the Volt different and much more practical.