General Motos (GM) has issued a statement defending its forthcoming Chevrolet Volt amid rumours that the promised extended-range electric vehicle is just a standard hybrid.
Media reports have claimed that the Volt, which has an internal combustion engine as well as an electric drive train, is therefore not a true electric vehicle but a hybrid like Toyota’s Prius.
But a statement from GM says:
“The Volt has an innovative electric drive system that can deliver power in both pure electric and extended range driving. The Voltec electric drive cannot operate without power from the electric motors… the range-extending internal combustion engine cannot drive the vehicle by itself.”
The company goes on to say that there is no direct mechanical connection (fixed gear ratio) between the Volt’s conventional 1.4 l engine and the drive wheels.
When the vehicle is in extended range mode – i.e. using the combustion engine – GM says that all generated power is fed through the drive unit and balanced by the generator and traction motor.
Explaining that it hadn’t wanted to reveal details about the electric drive unit ahead of patent approvals, GM says that it now needs to “clarify a few points” following “inaccurate media reports”.
GM says that the Voltec electric drive technology provides a 10-15% improvement in highway fuel economy.
The company has high hopes of the Volt – and was a key piece of the bargain when the US Government bailed out the company – claiming that is the only electric vehicle that can be a “primary vehicle, with EV operation for normal daily driving and extended range driving for weekends, holidays, and longer trips”.
A new website for customers, MyVolt.com, will be launched later this month providing information for drivers such as current battery charge and allowing the setting of recharging times.