TheQueen
06-25-2010, 01:01 PM
Driving the future
Jun 25th 2010, 10:54 by The Economist online
http://www.economist.com/sites/default/files/images/blogs/2010w25/201026WBP504_0.jpg
FEW cars are of greater significance, not only for their maker, but also for the industry itself, as General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt and its European version, the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera. Indeed, GM claims it will be "revolutionary". That is why The Economist, which does not normally do road tests, was keen to take up the offer from GM to drive a pre-production Ampera on normal roads in the Thames Valley earlier this week.
The Volt first broke cover at the Detroit motor show three-and-a-half years ago. Underneath its swooping bodywork (subsequently toned down for something more practical) was a ground-breaking new powertrain. Unlike Toyota’s Prius, which combines a conventional petrol engine with a small electric motor, the Volt’s propulsion would come entirely from a powerful electric motor whose lithium-ion batteries could be recharged either by plugging the car into mains electricity or from an on-board generator. Chevrolet claimed that the car would have a top speed of around 100mph and brisk acceleration, and be able to run on its batteries alone for about 40 miles—more than enough for the average daily commute—after which the generator, a small 1.4 litre internal-combustion engine, would cut in to prevent the batteries running down as the car continued on its way.
CONTINUE READING (http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2010/06/gms_new_electric_car?source=features_box_main)
Jun 25th 2010, 10:54 by The Economist online
http://www.economist.com/sites/default/files/images/blogs/2010w25/201026WBP504_0.jpg
FEW cars are of greater significance, not only for their maker, but also for the industry itself, as General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt and its European version, the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera. Indeed, GM claims it will be "revolutionary". That is why The Economist, which does not normally do road tests, was keen to take up the offer from GM to drive a pre-production Ampera on normal roads in the Thames Valley earlier this week.
The Volt first broke cover at the Detroit motor show three-and-a-half years ago. Underneath its swooping bodywork (subsequently toned down for something more practical) was a ground-breaking new powertrain. Unlike Toyota’s Prius, which combines a conventional petrol engine with a small electric motor, the Volt’s propulsion would come entirely from a powerful electric motor whose lithium-ion batteries could be recharged either by plugging the car into mains electricity or from an on-board generator. Chevrolet claimed that the car would have a top speed of around 100mph and brisk acceleration, and be able to run on its batteries alone for about 40 miles—more than enough for the average daily commute—after which the generator, a small 1.4 litre internal-combustion engine, would cut in to prevent the batteries running down as the car continued on its way.
CONTINUE READING (http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2010/06/gms_new_electric_car?source=features_box_main)