Who Killed The Electric Car? Who? Who?

Whether or not last year's documentary allegations ,that GM allowed itself to be pressured by its own industry into dropping the development of an earlier electric car, the EV1,were well founded is not now the key question.Is GM back on track with its latest low emission car? That's more the issue now.The signs are good for this concept car, pictured above with GM Product Chief,Bob Lutz (who,by the way,did not kill the electric car!) About the Chevy Volt,he is reported to have said,"You might never burn a drop of gas during the lifetime of the car."


With the (Vauxhall or Chevy) Volt, GM have a sporty car with power and promise.This one won't stall on a hill.It has a one-litre, 3 cylinder, petrol engine on board ,but only to recharge the battery.For upto 40 urban miles on a fully charged battery, the electric motor will deliver the drive unaided.After that the petrol engine kicks-in with its support. GM estimate the fuel consumption at 180 mph.And you do have to plug-in overnight(for six hours) to fully charge the battery.

A 1200 mile range ,on one charge of its lithium ion battery and one fill-up of its 12 gallon tank,go to make this spacious four seater ,based on the successful Vauxhall Astra, a real contender to meet the needs for 21st century greener commuter motoring.What makes it also potentially even kinder to the environment is that its 'electric generator'could be adapted to use
biofuel,a hydrogen fuel cell or diesel. The Volt could be available in the UK in under five years time at about £16,000.

Information on current environmentally-friendly cars can found at the Green-Car-Guide.com site.