The Chevrolet Volt concept powered by GM’s E-Flex System – GM’s next-generation electric propulsion system – could nearly eliminate trips to the gas station.

The Chevrolet Volt is a battery-powered, four-passenger electric vehicle that uses a gas engine to create additional electricity to extend its range. It can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours a day. When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt can deliver 64 km of pure electric vehicle range. When the battery is depleted, a 1L three-cylinder turbocharged engine spins at a constant speed, or revolutions per minute (rpm), to create electricity and replenish the battery.

A technological breakthrough required to make this concept a reality is a large lithium-ion battery. This type of electric car would require a battery pack that weighs nearly 400 pounds. In June 2007, GM awarded two contracts for advanced development of lithium-ion batteries for is electric drive. One contract will go to lithium-ion battery supplier Compact Power, Inc., based in Troy Michigan and the second contract has been awarded to Frankfurt, Germany based Continental Automotive Systems to develop lithium-ion battery packs. The signing of these advanced development battery contacts for the E-Flex system is the largest proof point in GM’s effort to transform the industry by diversifying automotive transportation away from petroleum with a range of propulsion alternatives..