Facts on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt
There seems to be some confusion about the Chevy Volt - here are a few facts: The Chevrolet Volt uses a gas engine to make electricity when the batteries run down. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine never powers the wheels. (Uh-oh, this turned out not to be true). Chevy suggests premium fuel, but it will work on regular unleaded. Fully charged, the range is 40 miles total - that's 20 miles each way. While driving, the gasoline-powered generator kicks on automatically, but you really can't feel it. The gas engine can charge the batteries and store some electricity. In "Mountain Mode," the car's gas engine can run and will put a little power back in the batteries. The retail price is $41,000 - some people will qualify for an IRS tax credit, not cash back. The Volt will not qualify for HOV status in California. The Chevrolet Volt is built in the US, including most of the battery pack. Chevrolet will warranty the batteries for 8 years or 100,000 miles. -Brian Moody