(WiredNews) GM Resurrects the Electric Car

[StrictlyRockers]

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/autotech/0,72424-0.html?tw=wn_index_2

By John Gartner| Also by this reporter
02:00 AM Jan, 07, 2007

General Motors, a company notorious for allegedly conspiring with Big Oil and others to "kill the electric car," is about to roll out a unique, fuel-efficient sedan that could redefine electric vehicles.

The new Chevrolet Volt, which premieres Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is a new spin on hybrids. The Volt runs exclusively on battery power, but a gas-fueled engine onboard runs the motor and recharges the batteries when they run low.

The sedan uses liquid fuel in the form of gasoline, ethanol or diesel to power the 3-cylinder generator, extending the driving range. Its engine recharges the Volt's batteries in approximately 30 minutes, says GM.

It can go 600 miles or more before needing refueling or recharging, according to GM, and the batteries should last for about 40 miles without recharging. To reduce fuel consumption, drivers can plug the Volt into a standard 110-volt electrical outlet to recharge the batteries in approximately six hours.

The electric vehicles GM has already developed -- such as the prototype Impact and the beloved EV1, which became the focus of the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? -- received power only from batteries.
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6923835633598627078&q=who+killed+the+electric+car&hl=en">Who Killed the Electric Car trailer

SR

[Barrett808]

1. Does it run on biodiesel? Ah, it does.

Because I'd buy that for a dollar.

The electricity-generation system can be modified to run on gasoline, ethanol, diesel, biodiesel or even a fuel cell in the future, he said.

Too bad it's just a concept car.

[Ian David]

2. Don't care. GM is dead to me.

Now, who's going to tell me to just shut-up and donate blood?

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. And the Stonecutters are allowing this?

Homer the Great (the Stonecutters' episode) :hi:

[NoodleyAppendage]

4. So...if you drive over 80mph, it will burn gas continuously???

The sedan uses liquid fuel in the form of gasoline, ethanol or diesel to power the 3-cylinder generator, extending the driving range. Its engine recharges the Volt's batteries in approximately 30 minutes, says GM. It can go 600 miles or more before needing refueling or recharging, according to GM, and the batteries should last for about 40 miles without recharging.

40 miles travelled in 30 minutes at > 80 mph. Right?

J