Chevrolet’s overdue answer to the Prius debuted as a concept car at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Now it looks as if the
Volt will actually make it to production. Company officials haven’t committed to a roll-out date, but analysts estimate that it could be as early as 2010 if
GM finds a reliable source for lithium batteries. The production version of the
Volt would be a “series hybrid,” in which the wheels are turned by an electric motor. Its battery pack is recharged by a small gasoline engine that is not connected to the wheels—it only recharges batteries. Like other hybrid vehicles, the Volt can run as long as it has gasoline in the tank. Unlike other hybrids, it can be plugged into a wall outlet for an overnight recharging.
Source: "Auto Week"
