General Motors touted that its highly anticipated electric car Chevy Volt would deliver an astounding 230 mpg in city. The car will hit the showrooms next year.
The four-seated car is powered by an electric motor and a battery pack that will go up to 40 miles. After that, a small internal combustion engine achieving about 50 mpg will kick in to generate electricity for a total range of 300 miles. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet.
With a price tag of $40,000, the Chevy Volt would scrape most consumers’ pockets. However, its maker claims that with government tax credits of up to $7,500 and the savings on fuel economy, consumers will easily be able to afford the vehicle.
Nevertheless, GM’s claims of Volt’s performance have faced several challenges. An auto website (www.Edmunds.com) has alleged the car’s mileage to be unrealistic as fuel efficiency depends on driving style. Charging the battery is another serious issue for urban and apartment dwellers or those who park their cars on the street. However, the company is trying to mitigate the issue by setting up charging stations by a third-party.
Most importantly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet confirmed the GM’s claim regarding fuel efficiency. The EPA, which is under-equipped to measure the fuel efficiency of such advanced vehicles, is working with the Society of Automotive Engineers and state and federal officials to develop appropriate testing procedures.
Competition in the electric car market has grown stiff, with the automakers struggling hard to offer eyebrow-raising vehicles such as Volt. Tesla has a 224 mpg rated car Roadster with an expensive $100,000-plus price tag.
Recently, Nissan (NSANY) flaunted its 367 mpg rated but much affordable car Leaf, to be introduced late next year. Other automakers such as Ford Motor (F), Daimler AG (DAI) and Chrysler Group are also releasing plug-ins and electric cars that could be close competitors of Leaf, Roadster or Volt.
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