Save the Date: Chevy Volt Plug-in Hybrid Coming in 2010
The concept car that stole the spotlight at this year’s Detroit auto show is coming to a Chevrolet dealer near you, in 2010 — the internal date GM has set to produce the Chevy Volt plug-in electric hybrid. Despite the Reuters story and headline, the Volt is not entirely electric.
The main issue holding the vehicle back is the development of the lithium-ion batteries that will power the car’s electric motor. GM’s main product guru, Bob Lutz, says a working prototype is expected by the end of this year. Ford is already running a similar hybrid prototype that uses a hydrogen fuel cell as a back-up generator, as opposed to the Volt’s gasoline generator. Either one acts as a backup to recharge the batteries. GM won wide media praise for the Volt concept; now we’ll see how good its follow-through is.
[AUTOSHOW-GM Targets 2010 Production for All-Electric Car, Reuters via GMInsideNews]
Related:
Cars.com Chevy Volt Video (YouTube)
2007 Detroit Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Ford’s Plug-in Electric Hydrogen Hybrid Edge
