(autoinsidenews) - General Motors today unveiled its newest electric vehicle concept, the Chevrolet Volt, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Chevrolet Volt Concept is powered by the E-flex System вЂ" GM's next-generation electric propulsion system.
The Volt is powered by 161-hp electric motor connected to the front wheels, with a 16 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery (not yet ready for production use). The battery can be charged by plugging in to a standard 110V outlet and is fully charged in about 6 hours. Or the battery can be recharged by a 71-hp 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder with spins a 53 kW generator, reports Trend.
The Volt has a range of about 40 miles on battery charge alone. And while that doesn't seem like a lot, more than half of all Americans live within 20 miles of where they work, which means some people may never start up the gas engine on a daily commute. The Volt would get around 50 mpg using the engine to convert gas into electricity, giving a range up to 640 miles.