Two hundred thirty miles per gallon. No, that is not a typo.
Hybrid technology may be coming out as a strong alternative to cars powered solely by gas, but some are looking in a new direction.
General Motors has been working on a extended-range electric vehicle named 'Volt,' which will appear as part of the Chevrolet line.
What makes the Volt unusual is its electric motor which directly propels the vehicle, and the secondary gas engine which serves as a generator to charge the battery.
This allows the Volt to succeed where previous electric cars have failed, as the gas generator will allow the car to travel far beyond the battery's range.
According to the Volt's Web site, under the Environmental Protection Agency's current hybrid fuel efficiency ratings the Volt will get an estimated 230 miles per gallon. That is more than four times the mileage of the current model Toyota Prius.
The Volt can travel approximately 40 miles on electricity alone, meaning nearly infinite mpg for between-charge trips under 40 miles. After 40 miles, it gets about 50 mpg.
The Volt's battery can be charged in three hours via a 240v wall mounted charger. The vehicle's portable charging system can charge the car in six-and-a-half hours and can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet.
GM says the cost of electricity on a full charge will cost about 80 cents.
The Chevy Volt is expected to cost about $40,000. But that is before a $7,500 government tax credit to the first 250,000 buyers. GM plans to start mass production of the Volt in November 2010.
GM is not the only company fighting for market share when it comes to electric vehicles. The Nissan Leaf has been scheduled to enter mass production in 2012, and may be as efficient as 367 mpg.
Unlike the Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf will not feature a secondary gas engine, and will be limited to 100 miles of travel per charge.
However, the Leaf will only accelerate up to 90 mph.
Despite the speed limitation, Nissan promises that the Leaf does not suffer performance issues and that it handles and accelerates like a car with a V6 engine.
Nissan has not disclosed any pricing information other than that it will be priced to match similar family sedans.
Vehicles like the Volt and the Leaf are drawing attention from environmental groups around campus. Matt Williams, program manager for the Auburn University Office of Sustainability, has taken note of the Chevy Volt's possibilities.
Williams said he thinks the problem with most electric vehicles is their limited range. The Volt will be the first electric vehicle to solve this issue with its secondary gas engine.
While The Office of Sustainability will not be promoting the Chevrolet Volt specifically, they do push for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Students seem open to the idea of an electric car with a gasoline generator. However, many seem uncertain about whether they would actually purchase a car like the Volt.
Lucy-Taylor Roberts, a junior in French and German, said she would consider looking at a vehicle such as the Volt if anything happened to her Jeep, but she was apprehensive about buying a Chevy .
Some students say they think this is something that is progressive.
However, many say they will wait to hear about other peoples' experiences with the vehicle and to see if the technology gains momentum.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
