EPA Says Chevy Volt Gets 93 Miles Per Gallon

The Chevrolet Volt can travel about 35 miles on a rechargeable battery pack before the car’s gas engine even comes on to recharge the batter pack and extend mileage.  That’s theoretically infinite gas mileage, but the EPA says the car gets the equivalent of 93 miles per gallon — apparently the highest rating ever for a U.S. car.  Base price: $40,280, although buyers can qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.  The Volt has two electric motors, a four-cylinder gas engine and a huge T-shaped battery pack run the vehicle.

You can plug the Volt into any standard electrical outlet for eight to 10 hours to charge up its batteries and the car will operate on electric power alone for miles. With current average U.S. electric rates GM estimates it will cost roughly $1.50 per day to travel 35 miles. After that, considering mpg in the mid to high 30s, will depend on gasoline rates. GM has chosen LG Chem of Korea to supply the lithium-ion cells.  The electric motor powers the Volt at all times, the gas engine is just a generator for making electricity once the battery is depleted.  (GM Volt, Biz Smart, 3/11/2011, GM Volt)