GM Steps Up Timetable For Green Program - Volt Production by 2010

General Motors recently expressed the desire to have the Volt-concept hybrid platform in production by 2010. That's a very bold statement from a typically slow-moving company who has made similar promises before with respect to electric vehicles and not delivered. Nonetheless, it can only be interpreted as a positive signal that the auto industry is warming to the idea of going green.

The Volt-concept engine platform (also referred to as E-Flex) is an electric-gas hybrid that has the capability to run on battery-only for about 65 km after a 6.5 hour battery-charge session. In gas-electric hybrid mode, the Volt allegedly will get 1000+ km out of one tank of gas. Let's put this in some perspective; the longest average daily commute in Canada is not surprisingly in Toronto at 9.2 km. That means, even the longest Canadian commutes could be done using 100% battery power, no gas. Of course, these are all just claims until GM can muster up a working prototype which figures to be pretty soon if rumors of a Frankfort unveling bear fruit.

In addition to the electric-gas hybrid engine, GM also recently announced a hydrogen fuel-celled version of the Volt, further strengthening GM's commitment and investment into the Volt concept.

GM is developing both plug-in hybrid and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture in parallel and will develop common electric drive systems and controls architecture for both variants. Whether the fi rst E-Flex based vehicle to hit the market is the plug-in or FC version remains to be seen. Although the vehicle unveiled at Shanghai is a mock-up, GM is promising another big E-Flex announcement in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which could be a fully functional E-Flex vehicle prototype.

The Frankfort Motor Show will be held in September, let's see if General Motors can put some substance behind this green PR momentum.

via: [leftlannews]
via: [fuelcelltoday]

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GM Steps Up Timetable For Green Program - Volt Production by 2010

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