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Since there is an increasing demand for alternative fuel vehicles, the auto industry has been investing heavily in them. One such manufacturer is the Detroit-based car manufacturing giant General Motors. In January of 2006 they introduced a propulsion system for the Chevrolet Volt, which supports the company’s E-Flex electric car architecture.
This 4 passenger car comes equipped with top-of-the-line Chevy parts. Some of the ideas that are found in this car come from GM’s previous experience in this market with their EV1 in 1996.
However, the Chevy Volt's E-Flex technology is now made possible thanks to an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that can power the vehicle for 300 miles without ever burning any petroleum fuel or producing any greenhouse gases.
All you have to do is plug the Volt into a 110-volt outlet for 6 hours. Whenever the battery is drained the three-cylinder turbocharged engine spins at a constant speed, producing electricity while also replenishing the battery.
Aside from its plug in capability, the Volt also has a “range extender,” which is a small internal combustion engine that is mated to a generator that charges the car’s Lithium-ion battery pack. This “range extender” helps to increase the vehicle’s range from 40 mile to 640 miles.
The Volt also has a radical E-Flex Propulsion System that allows the vehicle to run on a variety of fuels, which include electricity, conventional gasoline, E85 and biodiesel. This car's features are made even better because they are complemented by EBC Redstuff brake pads.
It is expected that the Volt will be ready to be produced and sold by the year 2010. This is not a date that has been firmly established by the company though since there are still some issues that need to be addressed before the car can actually be released though.
Actually, this date was never actually set forth by the company itself as there really was no set production timeline announced. Instead this date is one that has been leaked to the media. Nevertheless, a company spokesman still believes that this goal can be released.
The Chevy Volt, which should put critics at rest since they did not believe that this type of car could be mass produced. Yet, with today's growing environmental concerns, there really is a desire for such a car to be produced.