Chevrolet Volt 'can hit 230mpg'

Fritz Henderson, chief executive for General Motors, commented: “Our Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle will achieve unprecedented fuel economy.”

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “An urban figure of 191mpg is ten times better than many SUV vehicles, a performance that will tempt many drivers out of their gas guzzlers.”

America does not yet rate its vehicles in terms of CO₂ per distance travelled, but such figures are closely linked to fuel economy.

How does the Volt differ from other hybrids?

The Volt’s lithium-ion batteries can be charged by plugging the car into a household electrical socket and the vehicle’s petrol engine. Unlike most other electric hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, the propulsion of the Volt is always through its electric motor. The petrol engine powers an onboard generator to charge the batteries thereby extending the range of the car to as much as 640 miles.

What is the ETA?

The ETA provides motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and insurance products.