MIXING the best of both worlds the sleek Chevrolet Volt uses electric and petrol power.
The award winning car which scooped up the 2012 European Car of the Year Award is neither a hybrid nor just a electric car – it's what you call an E-REV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle). It’s mainly powered electrically and the vehicle’s electric drive unit keeps going even when its battery is depleted, thanks to its on-board petrol powered generator, extending its range to over around 500km.
So essentially it’s a car which is useful for long journeys. Driving is quiet, smooth and fun. As with most electric cars, there is an instant torque which pushes the Volt from 0-62 mph in just 9 seconds, rivalling even some sports cars. Also when the 1.4 litre petrol generators takes over from the battery you hardly realise there was transition because there is no noise.
The vehicle, although slick-looking also has bit of clunky feel to it. You feel the front and back bumpers creak when you drive over humps. Also the on board batteries limit the luggage space in the car but it can still fit in around 300 litres of space.
There is a futuristic presence within the car, and because of the Bluetooth and LCD display you kind of feel like you’re in a spaceship. With the Volt, there’s a keyless entry – which means you simply take it inside the car and it will start automatically. The LCD display shows how much power and speed you are using with each rev and all the dash interface controls have a touch sensitive panel which enables quick and discreet commands.
You can charge the car from home, either from a normal 230 V socket using the standard charge cord set (around 6 hours), or from the optional Home Charging Station (around 4 hours). For most short journeys this would suffice but for longer ones you need to top up on your petrol.
Overall the Volt is ideal family electric car and takes away the worry of long journeys which most other electric cars in the market currently face. Originally £34,995, the cost is bought down with the UK Government plug-in electric car grant of £5,000.
