General Motors said on August 11 its new electric sedan, the Chevrolet Volt, will be marketed in 2011 as the first mass produced vehicle capable of achieving three-digit fuel savings.
It said the Volt was expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon based on development testing using government fuel economy methodology for labeling for plug-in electric vehicles.
"From the data we've seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas," said GM chief executive Fritz Henderson.
The Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge, the company said. It may be able to extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator, it added.
"So, a vehicle like the Volt that achieves a composite triple-digit fuel economy is a game-changer," Henderson said.
According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, nearly eight of 10 Americans commute fewer than 40 miles a day.
"The key to high-mileage performance is for a Volt driver to plug into the electric grid at least once each day," Henderson said.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
