| Bob Lutz GM's 72-year-old Vice Chairman sits on the | | | | nearly triple the amount of Prius that were made |
| cutting edge of new hybrid technology. It is in fact | | | | available to consumer post launch. A move that led |
| Mr. Lutz and his belief in hybrid technology that has | | | | to waiting lists, purchases over sticker price and a |
| led Chevrolet to create some interesting new hybrid | | | | variety of other hype on Toyota's behalf. |
| models due out soon including the Silverado, Tahoe, | | | | One of the other reasons the Volt represents a large |
| Malibu and Equinox. Under Mr. Lutz's guidance, | | | | step forward for American automakers is the unique |
| Chevrolet even produced a fleet of transit buses | | | | E-Flex system. This new platform from Chevy will |
| powered by their Allison Electric Drive Transmission | | | | ultimately allow for deployment across a variety of |
| system for King County, Washington. A fleet is | | | | Chevy hybrids in the future and lies at the core of its |
| expected to save King County over 750,000 gallons | | | | success. The design combines a small electric motor |
| of gasoline a year over the non hybrids it replaced | | | | with a lithium ion battery for the electric component |
| according to hybrid-car.org. | | | | while the gas engines is based on a small 1 liter engine |
| Perhaps more important than any of the strides | | | | to do the work at higher speeds. The combined |
| forward to date will be the 2010 launch of a brand | | | | package creates an engine with a peak output of |
| new hybrid on its very own platform. We are of | | | | 160 horsepower. Despite this low hp rating, electric |
| course talking about the 2010 Chevy Volt, part | | | | engines accelerate far faster than combustion |
| sports car, part green machine, all fun. | | | | engines as displayed with the Tesla Roadster which |
| Officially unveiled at the North American International | | | | goes from 0-60 in under four seconds according to |
| Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 7, 2007 in Detroit, | | | | their site. |
| Michigan, the new Volt represents one of the first | | | | In addition to a new platform, new technology and a |
| hybrid coupes to market. It was designed to meet | | | | reasonable price, the Chevy Volt and other cars that |
| the needs of most everyday commuters by | | | | rely heavily on electronic propulsion require less |
| providing electric power for up to 40 miles based off | | | | maintenance: |
| of its battery charge. In between the hybrid power | | | | - Filters need less changing due to decreased need |
| and the internal combustion engines, the Volt is said | | | | for air filtration |
| to be able to travel 640 miles on a full charge. | | | | - Brakes need less changing due to friction breaking |
| Perhaps most importantly, the Volt has been | | | | - Less moving parts equals lower probability of |
| designed with the everyday user in mind. | | | | engines malfunctions |
| With a price point around $30-40k, the Volt can fit | | | | - Reduced oil changes/engine maintenance to reliance |
| the budgets of most middle class families looking to | | | | of electric technology |
| break the mold. Plus, based on a secret source, | | | | Facts in hand, take a minute to think about your next |
| Bloomberg revealed in August '07 that first year | | | | purchase and why a Chevy Volt may be the right car |
| production will yield 60,000 Volts. That number is | | | | for you. |