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GM Chevy Volt Hydrogen Plug-In Hybrid EV
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.
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