If you haven't heard, we're all pretty excited about the addition of the Chevy Volt to our fleet of vehicles in sunny Orlando, FL. Not only is the car eco-friendly and exceptionally fuel efficient, it's also a pretty sweet ride that turns heads and excites the entire family. Check out these reasons why we think the Chevy Volt rocks:
A Very Brief History of the Volt
The prototype of the Chevy Volt we know and love today was revealed to the world back in 2007. It was developed as an answer to Tesla's EV and Toyota's beloved Prius vehicles. The car was officially put on the market for US consumers in December of 2010 with a few models being released since then.
Specs
- 5-door hatchback
- Transverse front engine, front wheel drive
- Total range with a full tank of gasoline and a fully charged battery is 380 miles
- Rated the the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold in the US by the EPA
- Can drive up to 40 miles on its battery alone
- Takes about 10 hours to fully recharge
Driving the Volt
The Chevy Volt was rated the most fuel-efficient vehicle by the Environmental Protection Agency. In case you don't know, this car is a plug-in, hybrid electric vehicle that can drive up to 40 miles on its battery alone (what they call "EV" mode). If you're cruising down the highway and your battery runs out -- never fear! That's when your traditional gas tank kicks in, while simultaneously recharging your car's battery (what they call extended-range).
The Volt is different from a regular hybrid car because hybrids (like the Prius) are not designed to travel long distances (or at high speeds) on electricity alone. The Volt also features an "efficiency gauge" that helps you drive as efficiently as possible to improve your EV range. It even gives you a rating at the end of your trip to show you how well you did.
When you're out of electricity in your Volt, simply plug it in to any standard 120-volt outlet in your home. And you can monitor the progress of your charge from your smartphone or desktop computer! Don't have the time to charge? Just fill it up with gas like you would a regular car!
Got questions about the Volt? Let us know! Otherwise, visit Orlando today and ask our service desk about upgrading your vehicle to a Chevy Volt. We'll see you in Florida!
