GM Execs are almost “95% positive” Chevy VOLT arrival in 2010

At a recent meeting dubbed “VOLT Nation”, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was asked again about his “confidence level” about the Chevy VOLT being built by 2010. It is being reported that he has upped it to “94.5%”. In addition, vehicle line executive Frank Weber chimed in the background “100%”, for his confidence level.

There are also reports that the first-year production run will only be around 10,000 units. (even though there have been over 30,000 interested buyers submitting requests for reservation information)

Singh Chevrolet is planning to have one of the largest Hybrid Car and Hybrid Truck dealerships in Southern California! If you live anywhere in the Inland Empire you know all too well how much gas it takes to commute to work every day. The Chevy VOLT will be another link in the chain of green vehicles that Chevrolet will be introducing over the next 5 years, and with its “plug-in hybrid technology” it will be possible to commute up to 40 miles each way and not use a drop of gasoline!

Just imagine: NO GAS – NO GAS STATIONS !

A 40 Mile Commute Without A Single Drop Of Gas?

That is the goal of the Chevrolet VOLT by GM.

Over the next year or so, you will be hearing more about “plug-in hybrid” cars. In development now is the Chevy VOLT; designed to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone. Statistics show that the average daily commute is LESS THAN 40 miles one way. So, imagine driving to work without using any gas, just battery power. After you arrive, you “plug-in” your car to a standard 120 volt outlet to recharge. After work you drive home and then “plug-in” to recharge again overnight. This is basic idea (and the reason for the name) of “Plug-In Hybrid” cars.

However, 40 miles maximum is not a practical limitation for the average American driver. There will always be a need for extended range. This is where the “hybrid” portion comes into play. Even though the drive wheels on the VOLT are powered by electricity, there is a gasoline engine on board also; NOT to power the wheels, but to run a generator to recharge the battery pack while you continue driving!

For the first 40 miles the VOLT will get infinite mpg, because no gas will be burned. When the generator starts, the car will get an equivalent of 50 mpg thereafter. One can calculate the average mpg per for any length drive starting with a full battery: Total MPG = 50xM/(M-40)

This system is much different than the hybrid systems used in cars by Toyota, Honda, Lexus and others, and it is in development right now. Currently, GM executives are projecting a 2011 launch for the Chevy VOLT.

As more information becomes available, we will post it here!