GM: Chevrolet Volt can get up to 50 miles on a single charge

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Ever since the production specs on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt have been made public, General Motors said that the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone.

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GM said today that it has tweaked range estimate for the Volt, saying that the extended range electric vehicle will travel 25-50 miles on a single battery charge when variables such as terrain, driving behavior and temperature are factored in. The statement was made in a document filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission in paperwork submitted for the automaker’s planned initial public offering.

“When powered only from electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery; the Chevrolet Volt has a typical range of 25-50 miles depending on terrain, driving technique, temperature and battery age,” GM said in the filing under a section called “research.”

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Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, “T”-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. According to GM”s preliminary specs, the system puts out 150-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes less than 3 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 8 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries a 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 300 miles. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Volt Production Show Car

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News