GM claims electric car will achieve 230mpg

Chevrolet Volt vital to change image of carmaking group as it emerges from bankruptcy
Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 11 August 2009 17.42 BST

General Motors said today its new electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, would receive a fuel economy rating of 230 miles per gallon in city driving, and would transform the market for plug-in vehicles.
The 230mpg fuel rating (or 370km per 3.8 litres) would offer greater fuel efficiency than any mass market vehicle currently on the road, including the Toyota Prius.
Fritz Henderson, GM's chief executive, told reporters the Volt would be vital for the company, which emerged from bankruptcy last month and is trying to rebrand itself. "Our Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle will achieve unprecedented fuel economy," he said. "I'm confident we will be in the triple digits."
GM did not release the draft highway fuel economy rating for the Volt – although it is expected to be lower than the city figure. The carmaker sees the Volt as an important symbol of its switch from old gas guzzlers to new greener and smaller cars, and is using a logo with the figure 230 printed on a green background to build interest in the brand.
The company has a fleet of 30 test vehicles that it is developing in Arizona. It based its mileage rating on a draft environmental protection agency methodology for plug-in electric cars.
Nissan announced last week that its electric vehicle, the Leaf, would get 367mpg using the same standards.
The Volt, which will start production late next year, could be capable of travelling up to 40 miles (64km) on a single charge before its small petrol engine kicks in to power the car and recharge the battery.
That range would make the Volt an ideal commuter car for Americans: about 80% have a commute of less than 40 miles, according to the department of transport.
The battery could be recharged in about eight hours at a cost of about 40 cents during off-peak hours.