2011 Chevrolet Volt Review, Best Electric Cars

2011 Chevy Volt Review : It's just one of the many good things Motor Trend magazine had to say about Chevrolet Volt when it was named "2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year®." The annual award is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry and further proof that it's a new day for Chevrolet, not to mention the entire auto industry. Powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets, the Volt does everything a great car does and, according to Motor Trend, better than any other. It's further proof that today, tomorrow and on into the future, Chevy Runs Deep. Available to order at participating dealers. Quantities limited.

Volt, Chevrolet's electric vehicle that can use gas (but only if you need to). Volt will take you wherever you need to go - whether it's to the corner store or on a long-distance road trip. Check out the video to get an overview of Volt from the minds behind its creation.

2011 Chevrolet Volt EXTERIOR

By its very nature, Volt is engineered to change the face of transportation as we know it. Nearly every component of Volt has been selected to get the most out of every charge, including:

• Aerodynamics that maximize the distance per charge and miles per gallon of fuel
• A closed grille and aerodynamic back edges that contribute to its fuel efficiency
• Energy-efficient Bose® Sound System
• Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires

2011 Chevrolet Volt INTERIOR
Volt has two LCD screens that display speed, battery power, range to recharge or re-fill as well as an efficiency gauge that gives you real-time feedback. On the center console you'll find a seven-inch diagonal high-resolution screen with touch-sensitive control that helps you get the most out of your Volt.

2011 Chevrolet Volt PERFORMANCE
Power from an exceptional battery
The Volt battery has gone through numerous environment-specific tests, including corrosion and hot- and cold-weather testing and the results were so promising that the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is backed by an 100,000-mile/8-year limited warranty.
Here are a few more notes on the battery:

Volt offers an EPA-estimated 35 miles of initial EV range offering a gas-free and tailpipe emissions-free commute for about $1.50 of electricity per day
When the battery is depleted, a small, quiet onboard gas generator creates electricity that powers your Volt as you drive for hundreds of additional miles
Lithium-ion cells outperform nickel-metal hydride cells (found in today's hybrid vehicles) in terms of life cycle
A liquid thermal cooling and heating system keeps the battery at a comfortable temperature as it's being charged and discharged

2011 Chevrolet Volt SAFETY
Making the future safer, Volt drivers and passengers will be wrapped in a cocoon of standard safety. With eight air bags ready to deploy in an emergency, it's obvious safety is of the highest priority. Joining this built-in safety is an unprecedented five-year subscription to OnStar® Directions and Connections® including Automatic Crash Response. In the event of a collision, built-in sensors can automatically alert an OnStar Advisor, who is immediately connected into your vehicle to see if you need help sent to your exact location - even if you can't respond.

2011 Chevrolet Volt TECHNOLOGY
Pick your mode, The Volt has been programmed with three unique driving modes to accommodate different driving styles. Normal mode is the most efficient setting that takes the electricity and focuses it on operating the electric drive. Sport mode sacrifices a small amount of efficiency for more responsive acceleration, and Mountain mode makes sure the battery has a bigger energy reserve for driving up long, steep inclines.

Simply put, the Volt charges up for a range of about 40 miles on battery power only; then the gasoline engine allows another 300 miles or so on top of that.

The sole fly in the ointment is the inevitably high early adopter price: $41,000. New auto technology always costs a lot when it first hits the market, and the Volt's lithium-ion battery pack all by itself likely costs half the price of a new 2011 Chevy Cruze subcompact. We've heard word that GM is planning to up production of the vehicle to 12,000 units by 2012, which means that the automaker is anticipating steeper demand connected to ever loftier fuel prices. Though the Volt seems to be serving as the missing link between our transportation right now and full electrification, the price will have to drop before we see them wheeling around every corner.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Review

2011 Volvo C30 BEV

Volvo presented a driveable prototype electric car in September 2009. Volvo C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is now being shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit companies to take one further step in the development process. Both feature a full interior and full instrumentation, as well as improved battery packs.

"The first prototype to help us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packs and safety issues. We have discussed this challenge without sacrificing cool the Volvo C30 and fun-to-drive my personality. very pleased with the results. Volvo C30 in Detroit electric BEV is a much more complete product, "said Lennart Stegland, Director Volvo Car Special Vehicles.

The next step in 2010 is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not just technical but also behavioural.

The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding.

Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car

Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car

All this time, fast machine in the world of racing is always identical with the lavishly fuel machinery. But Green GT seems to want to change that paradigm by creating an environmentally friendly race car or Eco Friendly car. well it seems that day by day eco friendly vehicle becomes trends. One of the latest and most radically eco-friendly auto companies to have emerged from Switzerland is Green GT. The new carmaker have come up with a solar power based tire warmer called the Sunny Green Box just a couple of months ago which will be utilized in car racing and are presently working to produce the most potent and forward-looking electric race car ever produced, named the Green GT.

This car manufacturer from Switzerland introduced the GT at the Ecole Polytechnique Greent de Lausanne, Switzerland. Green racing car is armed by the electric motor is even racing cars already meet the standards set by the FIA. "Developed and manufactured in Switzerland, Green GT showed that electric cars can offer the same level of performance with other cars that use internal combustion engines," said Greent GT.

Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car

The Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car first design study is excitedly showcased by Car Platform. Thomas Clavet, the young French designer, was commissioned by the Swiss company from the ISD Valencienne design school. The design study of Green GT sets the direction the company will be taking in its future designs. Green GT cars are radical not only because they are electric vehicles, but also because they will come with radical designs. Key to Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car is competitive electric race car are both low weight and high power.

The body Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car is made from lightweight carbon materials with composite chassis that make this car weighs only 980 kg. Of the two electric motors, Green GT is capable of producing power up to 450-500 hp in the rotation torque of 2400 Nm. Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car although relatively efficient in fuel consumption, you can't underestimate the ability and speed of Green GT Because this car can still run fast.

Green GT Sport Cars - Eco Friendly Racing Car’s vicious power stored in lithium ion polymer batteries developed specifically for high-performance electric car. In addition, this vehicle is also equipped with a set of solar panels that are used to search for additional staff.

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

German specialty marque Artega has debuted an electric variant of its mid-engined GT model called the Artega SE (Sport Electric). This Electric Sports Car Concept was made by a German automaker. At the 81st Geneva Motor Show from 1-13 March 2011, Artega Automobil GmbH & Co. KG will introduce an electric version of its mid-engine sports car. “Our aim is to combine environmental responsibility with the passion for aut omobiles,” said Artega chief executive Peter Muller.

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

With this forward-looking project, the company headquartered in Delbruck once again demonstrates the benefits and strengths of its manufacturing plant. Technical expertise and quick decision-making processes have enabled the company to implement a completely new drive concept in a very short period of time. Artega has also cooperated with the Fraunhofer Institute, one of the most competent development partners in the automotive sector. The research organization bought two Artega vehicles more than a year ago to test their feasibility as electrically powered cars.

This sports car is the first car made Artega developed using electrical technology. This electric car was built based Artega GT and has a body that is identical. But 2011 Artega Sport Electric Concept has a weight of 100 kg lighter than the Artega GT, which is 1400 kg.

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept is powered by two electric motors mounted on the rear axle, operate independently as each drives one of the rear axles, with a total output of 280 kW (380 horsepower) give the car its powerful thrust. The two engines operate independently, with each driving one of the rear wheels. Furthermore, the 2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept comprises 16 tried-and-tested battery modules with lithium ion polymer cells with each of these modules containing 12 battery cells which operate for the most part autonomously.

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

Artega claim this concept electric sports car capable of accelerating from 0-100 km / h in just 4.3 seconds or 0.5 seconds faster than the Artega GT Sport gasoline. Unlike electric cars in general, Artega Sport Electric Concept has a top speed of more than 250 km / hour. The entire drive train weight just 150 kilograms. The degree of efficiency is extremely high, namely more than 90%. 2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept is also claimed to cover the distance of 200 km with a full battery condition and with normal driving. While charging the battery only takes 90 minutes through home electrical socket.

Following Mr. Muller’s presentation, Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart will elucidate the technical features of the 2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept. The initials stand for “Sport Electric.” The initiator of the E-mobility project is convinced of the advantages of electrically powered sports cars. “Sports car drivers usually have a very dynamic driving style, with frequent acceleration and braking, which is very energy inefficient. But electric cars recuperate the energy lost through braking and return it to the battery. In addition, unlike combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles convert the full extent of the engine torque immediately, which makes driving them a completely new, very dynamic experience.”

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

“Our goal is to combine environmental responsibility with a passion for cars,” said Artega Automobil GmbH & Co. CEO Peter Müller in company press releases. Artega is weighing the possibility of taking SE for production as the company has a total production capacity of 500 units per year at facilities in Delbrück, Germany.

2011 Artega Sports Cars SE Electric Concept

Artega is able to offer the exclusive SE at the attractive price of 150,000 euros. This price lies between that of existing first-generation sports cars and the anticipated price of mass-produced electric sports cars that have been announced by the major manufacturers. The Artega will always remain an exclusive product. The factory in Delbruck will manufacture no more than 500 sports cars per year.

2010 Toyota FT-EV Electric Cute Car

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it will display the Toyota FT-EV concept on opening Media Day at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), confirming its plan to launch an urban commuter battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by 2012. This announcement, coupled with its compressed natural gas powered Camry Hybrid concept display at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, signal Toyota’s intention to broaden the scope of its advanced alternative-fuel vehicle development.

“Now, more than ever, while we are so focused on the pressing issues of the moment, we cannot lose sight of our future,” said Irv Miller, TMS Group Vice President, Environmental and Public Affairs. “Nowhere is this more important than with our industry’s duty and commitment to provide true sustainable mobility with vehicles that significantly reduce fuel consumption, our carbon footprint and overall greenhouse gases.” The FT-EV concept shares its platform with the revolutionary-new iQ urban commuter vehicle. Already a huge hit in Japan, the iQ is lightweight and seats four passengers in comfort and security, while delivering exceptional mileage, sporty performance, unique refinements and a fun, youthful image.

Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail. Although, for now, the FT-EV remains a pure concept, it represents a natural pairing of product strategies.

“Last summer’s four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline was no anomaly. It was a brief glimpse of our future,” said Miller. “We must address the inevitability of peak oil by developing vehicles powered by alternatives to liquid-oil fuel, as well as new concepts, like the iQ, that are lighter in weight and smaller in size. This kind of vehicle, electrified or not, is where our industry must focus its creativity.” Although BEVs and new smaller vehicles like the iQ will be a key component of Toyota’s sustainable mobility strategy, the conventional gas-electric hybrid, like the all new third-generation Prius, is considered Toyota’s long-term core powertrain technology.

Last year, Toyota announced that it planned to sell one million gas-electric hybrids per year sometime during the early 2010s. To accomplish this, Toyota will launch as many as 10 new hybrid models by the early 2010s, in various global markets. The new third-generation Toyota Prius and all new Lexus HS250h, both debuting in Detroit, are the first two examples of that effort. Also, last year, Toyota announced that it would roll-out a large number of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) to global lease-fleet customers in 2010. That schedule has been moved up.

Beginning in late 2009, Toyota will start global delivery of 500 Prius PHVs powered by lithium-ion batteries. Of these initial vehicles, 150 will be placed with U.S. lease-fleet customers. The first-generation lithium-ion batteries powering these PHVs will be built on an assembly line at Toyota’s PEVE (Panasonic EV Energy Company, LTD) battery plant, a joint-venture production facility in which Toyota owns 60 percent equity. During its development, the new Prius was designed and engineered to package either the lithium-ion battery pack with plug-in capability, or the nickel-metal hydride battery for the conventional gas-electric system. The 500 PHVs arriving globally in late 2009 will be used for market and engineering analysis. Lease–fleet customers will monitor the performance and durability of the first-generation lithium-ion battery, while offering real world feedback on how future customers might respond to the plug-in process. “Future customers will have high expectations for these emerging technologies. This Prius PHV fleet program is a key first step in confirming how and when we might bring large numbers of plug-in hybrids to global markets,” said Miller. “Our business is no longer about simply building and selling cars and trucks. It is about finding solutions to mobility challenges today and being prepared for more daunting challenges in our very near future.”