Chevrolet Volt Concept: no more gas stations, almost (VIDEO)

Chevy's Volt is powered by the E-Flex system, which is GM's next-generation hybrid-electric powertrain. The four-passenger sedan is driven by a battery and uses a gas engine to extend its driving range.  There is no physical link between the wheels and the engine nor is there a transmission under the hood.

The Volt can be plugged into a 110-volt outlet and fully-recharge in 6 hours. You can drive up to 60 kilometres on the battery alone. After that, the turbocharged and intercooled ECOTEC 1.0-liter inline 3-cylinder engine spins at a constant revolution to create electricity.  The generator is directly attached to the crankshaft and it replenishes the battery.

The "Flex" portion of the name refers to the fact that the combustion engine can run on regular gas, E85 Ethanol, Biodiesel or through the use of a fuel cell.

Theoretically, if you live within 30 kilometres from work, that means you can go to work and get back home without ever putting a drop of gas into the Volt.  If, for example, you live within 90 km of your place of work, the amount of gas necessary to sustain forward motion once the battery has lost its charge would amount to about 1.57 L per 100 km. 

The battery powering Chevrolet's concept sedan should be available for production by 2010 to 2012.


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