GM says Volt Will Have Triple-Digit City Mileage

General Motors said yesterday its Chevrolet Volt electric car could get 230 mpg in city driving, which would make it the first American vehicle to achieve triple-digit fuel economy.

The Volt’s fuel efficiency would be four times more than the popular Toyota Prius hybrid, the most efficient car now sold in the U.S. but its efficiency will come with a steep sticker price of $40,000 reports MSNBC. GM is marketing the 230-mile figure following early tests using draft guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for calculating the mileage of extended range electric vehicles reports Associated Press. Unlike the Prius and other traditional hybrids, the Volt is powered by an electric motor and a battery pack with a 40-mile range. After that, a small internal combustion engine kicks in to generate electricity for a total range of 300 miles. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet. GM's estimated mileage rating for the Volt is based on city driving, where it can take full advantage of its all-electric capability. Highway mileage would be lower because it would require more work from the gasoline engine reports the Los Angeles Times. GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said Tuesday,

From the data we've seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas.

Britta Gross, GM's manager of hydrogen and electrical infrastructure commercialization says the plug-in Volt's lithium-ion battery is expected to fully recharge in less than three hours using a 220-volt outlet or under eight hours using 110-household current. The 16 kW battery takes eight kW/hours for the recharge, with an average U.S. cost of 10 cents per hour reports Edmunds.com. Federal regulators have yet to confirm GM's claim of 230 mpg. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said,

We are confident the highway (mileage) will be a triple-digit.

But Edmunds.com says

If it can fulfill its promises of range and reliability, the Chevrolet Volt could become a revolutionary car for GM.

Nissan Motor Co. unveiled its first electric car, the Leaf, earlier this month. Nissan said the vehicle will go on sale in Japan, the U.S. and Europe next year. Expect the Chevrolet Volt in showrooms in November of 2010.