Seventy-eight percent of commuters drive 40 miles or less to and from work.* If we could change the technology behind these daily drives, imagine how much gasoline and money we could save while helping reduce emissions. It might be possible with a vehicle capable of running on electricity, E85, and gasoline fuels — in other words, a vehicle powered by GM's innovative Voltec Electric Propulsion System, like the Chevy Volt.
The Voltec Electric Propulsion System —
What It Is And How It Works
The GM-patented Voltec Electric Propulsion System consists of an electric drivetrain that can run on various sources of energy. It consists of a 53 kW direct engine-mounted generator and non-turbo variant 4-cylinder 1.4L engine that allows you to keep driving when your electric battery needs to be recharged.
» Watch the "How the Volt Works" - Propulsion Animation VideoDuring Short Commutes
If you're lucky enough to live less than 20 miles away from work, you might be able to drive to and from work using only electricity. Recharge your Voltec Electric Propulsion System every night with a common 110-volt household outlet. Then drive it up to 40 miles daily on a single electric charge.
During 60-Mile Trips
You can use electric power exclusively for up to 40 miles of your trip. Then the range-extending power source — which creates electricity from gasoline, E85 or biodiesel fuels — seamlessly kicks in to recharge the lithium ion battery pack as required.
During Long Drives
At the start of your trip, you can drive approximately 40 miles on your charged electric battery. Then the range-extending power source will automatically come on to recharge the battery as required so that you can keep driving with either gasoline or E85. A trip like this could give you an estimated 50 equivalent miles per gallon using gasoline.†
Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive for the Chevy Volt, envisions a future for electric vehicles powered by a harmonious melding of form and function.
» Watch his story