GM claims GM claims 230 mpg fuel economy for 2011 Chevrolet Volt

General Motors has claimed that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, that is slated for launch in November 2010, will deliver a mileage of 230 miles per gallons.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will come with two chargers in order to give the customer freedom to charge his car any where he wants.

One would be a portable 120V charger and the other a 240V charging unit. The latter would require installation into more powerful connections.

The normal charging rate for the 120 V charger is 12 amps. However, one can also use the user-selectable 8 amp charge option. The 240 V charging device comes with a 16 kWh battery.

The three lights you could see indicate the device is receiving AC power, if there is a fault, whether or not there is a ground present.

General Motors has said that have set high safety standards for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The car would not move unless the charger is unplugged irrespective of whether or not it is receiving any power.

The car detects the plug via proximity circuit and does not start unless the plug is removed. The chargers are designed to withstand water and sunlight.

The fuel efficiency that the company is claiming is yet to be confirmed and tests are to be carried out.  It would be able to run for 40 miles with electricity from a single battery and more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator.

GM has said that its claim, about the fuel economy of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, is based on development testing that used a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for plug-in electric vehicles.

“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,” said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson.

“EPA labels are a yardstick for customers to compare the fuel efficiency of vehicles. So, a vehicle like the Volt that achieves a composite triple-digit fuel economy is a game-changer.”

EPA determines the electrical efficiency using the kilowatt hours per 100 miles traveled method. Based on the methodology, GM expects the 2010 Chevrolet Volt to consume just 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in-city.

This way a driver would have to pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles. However, GM has not yet made comments saying that EPA has approved its claim.

“The 230 city mpg number is a great indication of the capabilities of the Volt’s electric propulsion system and its ability to displace gasoline,” said Frank Weber, global vehicle line executive for the Volt.

“Actual testing with production vehicles will occur next year closer to vehicle launch. However, we are very encouraged by this development, and we also think that it is important to continue to share our findings in real time, as we have with other aspects of the Volt’s development,” he further added.

Interestingly, the EPA has distanced itself from GM’s claims.

Green Car Advisor has said that the EPA issued a statement in this regard, when they asked for confirmation of GM’s claim.

“EPA has not tested a Chevy Volt and therefore cannot confirm the fuel economy values claimed by GM. EPA does applaud GM’s commitment to designing and building the car of the future – an American-made car that will save families money, significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create good-paying American jobs. We’re proud to see American companies and American workers leading the world in the clean energy innovations that will shape the 21st century economy.”