volt

TOKYO--The Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid could hit Japan's shores as early as next year and go head-to-head with the country's hybrid and electric vehicles.

Sumito Ishii, managing director of GM Asia Pacific Japan, told reporters that General Motors is studying a Japan launch for the Volt in 2011 or 2012.

The car, which is powered by an electric motor and has a small gasoline engine to recharge the battery, goes on sale in the United States late this year. Ishii said last month that Japan was not part of the Volt's initial global rollout plan, but … Read more

Updated to add comments from General Motors.

The first batch of General Motors' Chevy Volt 2011 plug-in hybrid cars will not be compatible to run E85, a blend of gas and ethanol.

Tom Stephens, GM's vice chair for global product development, called for more government support of ethanol and a need for more E85 stations during his Tuesday speech at the Renewable Fuels Association conference in Florida. Stephens mentioned that early editions of the 2011 Chevy Volt may not be E85 compatible, several news outlets have reported.

Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the Chevy Volt, confirmed the same … Read more

Knowing that the people with the highest interest in the Chevy Volt are tech savvy and can spend hours engaged in geeky talk about new battery technologies and off-peak charging rates, GM is using a Web site to push technical details about the upcoming series hybrid car to the public.

The site, called VoltageU, lives under the larger Voltage umbrella site, and aims to provide quick access to in-depth articles and video about the Chevy Volt, breaking it down into four areas: technology, charging, battery, and infrastructure.

Under the surface, the site is a mish-mash, with links going out to … Read more

We've seen them at auto shows and special events, the 12 hottest tech cars to debut in 2010. Each of these cars represents automakers' efforts to push the technology envelope, whether through cabin or power-train tech.

Don't expect to find another tired update of an economy model amongst this group. Some are radical attempts to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, others institute new technologies in the cabin, and a few we've selected are pinnacles of engineering.

These cars will become available to the public throughout the year, and it looks like a good year indeed.

Check out the 12 hottest tech cars for 2010. … Read more

General Motors plans to open a $246 million factory in the U.S. to build electric motors for a hybrid vehicle platform due in three years.

Later this week, GM is expected to announce the location of the motor plant, which will be partially funded by a $105 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, company executives said on Monday. It says it's the first U.S. automaker to design and build its own motors.

The auto giant decided to make at least some of its electric motors, which move electrically driven cars and hybrids, because the technology is … Read more

Toyota's gas pedal problems apparently aren't caused by just floormats; GM confirms the Volt will cost just about 40 grand; "TiVo" for your car radio on more GM models; and we roll in the Mitsu Lancer Sportback Ralliart--ugly or hot? Or just ugly hot?

• Toyota issues another major recall over acceleration issues

• Toyota plans fuel cell cars by 2015

• More GM cars get "TiVo" for the radio

• Mitsu Lancer Sportback is polarizing to look at… Read more

Filled with flowcharts, and accompanied by a Delirium house-mix song, this video from YouTube's GMVolt channel offers all of the reasons folks should drive electric-powered vehicles.

Although some of the information about the birth of the automobile and the car population in the United States, is interesting, the charts are fuzzy and confusing. Check it out for yourself.

Updated: CNET video added.

The Chevrolet Volt hasn't even hit the sales floor yet and there's already an app for that. On Tuesday evening, Chevrolet and its OnStar telematics system announced working smartphone apps for the Motorola Droid, Apple iPhone, and BlackBerry Storm that will allow Volt owners to connect to their vehicles wirelessly to access remote features via smartphone.

The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone app will let users know if the Volt is plugged in or not and whether it's charging on 120V or 240V. Users can also schedule charging times to get the lowest off-peak … Read more