The General Motors Chevy Volt Hydrogen plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is not only cool in design but is one of the most fuel efficient concept cars to be shown in recent years. Gaining 75 miles per gallon equivalent of hydrogen, this vehicle can travel the first 40 miles on all electric power.

The Chevy Volt Hydrogen uses GM's E-Flex technology, which is the plug-in hybrid electric portion of the vehicle designed to hook up to a variety of propulsion systems. Systems such as hydrogen, ethanol and other bio fuels, diesel and whatever the future holds can be integrated into the flexible E-Flex technology.

In January 2007, GM decided to show off the gasoline plug-in hybrid electric Volt at the Detroit Auto Show. But in April 2007 General Motors decided a little Shanghai surprise was in order and unveiled the hydrogen version of the Chevy Volt in China among a couple Chinese-made fuel cell vehicles.

The GM Chevy Volt Hydrogen uses a fifth generation fuel cell, the smallest and most compact to date, yet with the same power and range of its heavier sister hydrogen car the GM Sequel Concept. Make no mistake that the Chevy Volt is also a concept hydrogen vehicle as it will not hit the showroom anytime soon.

GM is still figuring out how to bring down the price of the lithium-ion battery pack in both the standard and hydrogen Volt vehicles and have hired outside companies to help with the effort. General Motors is looking for the standard Volt to hit the market sometime in the 2009 - 2010 timeframe and the hydrogen Chevy Volt will follow sometime thereafter.

The Chevy Volt Hydrogen has a pleasing futuristic design to suit many enthusiasts along with the forward-thinking power train that screams "Better living through technology!" This cool car of the future may be just what we need one day to save the environment with its zero emissions output and eye-catching appeal.