Introduction
GM celebrates its centennial year with the official announcement that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt production vehicle will hit the market in late 2010. More than 700 engineers are currently working on the project to make GM's deadline. The battery-powered, 4-passenger, extended-range electric car is the first production vehicle from the new GM E-Flex Systems Design Studio. Featuring an innovative E-Flex propulsion system with high-tech lithium-ion battery pack, the Volt has a 40-mile all-electric driving range. Besides being gas-free, the all-electric operation is virtually emissions-free, producing fewer than 40g/km of CO₂. Additional electricity can be created from a 1.0-liter, bio-fuel range-extending engine that extends the Volt's range to 434 miles. The car can also be charged in just 6 hours using a 110-volt electrical outlet.