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2011 Chevrolet Volt Expects 230mpg EPA City Rating

 
8 1,949 views Aug 11, 2009
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first pre production chevrolet volt prototype 001

first pre production chevrolet volt prototype 001

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Fans of the Chevrolet Volt have followed its development closely, but few even of the faithful expected to see numbers as big as the ones coming out of General Motors today. The tentative EPA methodology works out to a city efficiency rating of 230 mpg.

Talk of mile-per-gallon equivalents can get confusing quickly, but the EPA's rating system relies on a system that's intended to put cars on an equal playing field. Whether it successfully does that, especially in relation to extended-range electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, is a question that's not yet fully settled, but it's the most independent, authoritative view on the matter to date.

The methodology used for the testing itself still isn't finalized, but it is far enough along that GM feels comfortable releasing the city efficiency figures. Overall, or composite, fuel efficiency isn't being released, but it's expected to top 100 mpg.

"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."

The EPA methods being developed use a kilowatt-hours per 100 miles traveled metric to define the electric-only efficiency of plug-in hybrids and extended range EVs like the Volt.

The figures released today represent pre-production vehicles in preliminary testing. Full production vehicle testing with a presumably final EPA methodology won't take place until next year, closer to the Volt's late 2010 launch.

For a  thorough run-down of the issue and the possible implications of assumptions made about how drivers will use the car's electric-only range, read John Voelcker's post on the Volt's 230 mpg  EPA rating over at Green Car Reports.

[GM]





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Comments (8)

  1. By Gus Posted: 8/11/2009 8:17am PDT

    A bit silly, that number.
    Maybe they should adopt a standard, say over 100 miles, to measure mileage for these types of vehicles...
     
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  2. By  Chris R Posted: 8/11/2009 9:39am PDT

    All I can say is; what a sexy looking car. $40K is a bit much but not outlandish when you consider that it's comparable to a Cadillac.
     
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  3. By Gus Posted: 8/11/2009 2:28pm PDT

    I agree, it is a good looking car. I hope the batteries last. I just had to buy a new battery pack for my 3 year old laptop because it just doesn't hold a charge well anymore. I wonder if these cars will have similar problems...
     
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  4. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/11/2009 3:40pm PDT

    I wonder what the milage will be like in the real world with real world drivers.
     
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  5. By  Tech Posted: 8/11/2009 4:22pm PDT

    After the bankruptcy GM had to come out with a game changer.
     
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  6. By HECTOR Posted: 8/11/2009 4:52pm PDT

    It's not a bad looking car but it's no Alfa Romeo either. It's a technological wonder but I don't think it is what GM needs right now, which is a volume seller that knocks it out of the park.
    The claim of 230 miles/gallon is ridiculous but paper will hold anything, specially one written by the EPA and GM. At the end of the day I think this will be another flop.
     
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  7. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/11/2009 4:52pm PDT

    Since they were working on this before the bankruptcy............
     
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  8. By  vitamin e Posted: 12/18/2009 11:06pm PST

    An important part of figuring out the driving economics of EV's is how much electricity will be added to a person’s typical monthly electric bill. Some type of standard assumption would have to be developed for how often a car will need to be charged. I have to drive 36 miles each way to work, so I'd have to be charging the Volt about 6 times a week probably. Understanding what this would do to my electric bill will have a large impact on my decision to move to an EV.
     
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