Another was mounting the power electronics directly on top of the drive unit, which got rid of the first-generation Volt's heavy and expensive orange connecting cables. One significant improvement that enabled the 100 pounds of savings in the drive unit was the capability to use both motors as either motor or generator, at any time, whether in EV or range-extending mode. The new Volt'sįuel economy in range-extending mode is up from 37 to 42 mpg, while its battery-only range improves from 38 to 53 miles. A new lighter and more energy dense li-ion battery pack carries 18.4 kWh of energy versus the previous 17.1 kWh.
The updated propulsion system marries a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine to two electric motors through two planetary gearsets and three clutches. It's also lighter, quicker and more agile, plus the rear seat fits three passengers instead of the previous two. Getting back to the 2016 Volt, it's more that just an updated powertrain. The 2016 Volt is more that just an updated powertrain. Wards editors called it "a magnificent achievement that marries the best attributes of all-electric vehicles with those of fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient gasoline cars."
Wards 10 Best Engines" (or in this case, " When the production Volt hit the streets four years later, it was named a 2011 " Thus it was a non-fuel-burning, tailpipe-emissions-free BEV that would morph into a fuel-efficient gas-powered compact when its 16-kWh li-ion pack was depleted, completely eliminating EV range anxiety.
Unlike any other EV or hybrid of the time, it was designed to run on battery power for the first 38 miles or so, then keep going on electricity from a generator driven by a small gas engine. Hybrids, and eventually extended-range EVs like the Volt.įast-forward to January 2007, when the Volt EREV concept debuted at Detroit's North American International Auto Show. GM used knowledge and learning from the EV1 to work on fuel-cell EVs, two-mode But while GM's $1 billion-plus EV1 effort was a costly and embarrassing market failure, it did provide a rich body of learning. About the same number of '99 Gen IIs (there was no '98 model) - some with optional NiMH batteries – followed before the program's demise. Another promising option, lithium-polymer chemistry being developed by 3M and other companies promised gasoline-competitive size, weight, and cost but never panned out. Emerging nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries could double that range, but at much higher cost. GM was aware that EV sales success would depend on advancing battery technology. Driven gently in warm temperatures it could manage 50 to 70 miles of real-world range from its nearly 1,200-pound lead-acidĭisclaimer: I was a part of the EV1 team.] The bullet-shaped (0.19 Cd), 137-hp, two-seat EV1 delivered strong, smooth performance, and respectable ride and handling on narrow tires pumped up to 50 psi.
GM's Advanced Technology Vehicles team rethought and, in many cases, redesigned virtually every element of the modern automobile. The tale starts with the ill-fated 1990s EV1 effort The tale starts with the ill-fated 1990s EV1 effort, when And the story of how the Volt earned that accolade dates back to 1990s. Those improvements landedġ0 Best Engine list. With an EPA-rated 53-mile electric range, the Volt can handle most commutes without burning a drop of fuel. Chevy Volt has 20 percent more power from the gasoline engine and an impressive 40-percent better EV range.
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