Extended-Range Electric Vehicles
Extended-range electric vehicles, which some refer to as series hybrids, use an electric motor as the main power source to propel the vehicle. It also uses a thermal engine to power a generator that allows the electric motor to function when the battery runs low. The vehicle must be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to recharge the battery.
The most popular model to use his technology is the Chevy Volt. The Volt has an electric-only autonomy of 60 kilometres. Once the battery runs out, the small 4-cylinder engine kicks in to power the generator that recharges the battery for an extra 500 kilometres of autonomy.
Currently, the government rebate for the Chevy Volt is $7,865. A 120-volt outlet can be used to recharge the battery but it can also be recharged at a dedicated charging station of 240 volts or more.
This Chevrolet costs approximately $43,000. In comparison with a similar vehicle costing $28,000, recovering your investment should take less than six years if you drive 20,000 annually.
Extended-range electric vehicles
Fuel consumption: less than 3L/100 km
Average CO2 emissions: 2,944 kg/year (from gasoline engine use)
Chevrolet Volt (2.5 L/100 km) (price: $43,000)
Cadillac ELR (NA) (price: NA)
Extended-range electric vehicles, which some refer to as series hybrids, use an electric motor as the main power source to propel the vehicle. It also uses a thermal engine to power a generator that allows the electric motor to function when the battery runs low. The vehicle must be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to recharge the battery.
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| Chevrolet Volt (2.5 L/100 km) (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
The most popular model to use his technology is the Chevy Volt. The Volt has an electric-only autonomy of 60 kilometres. Once the battery runs out, the small 4-cylinder engine kicks in to power the generator that recharges the battery for an extra 500 kilometres of autonomy.
Currently, the government rebate for the Chevy Volt is $7,865. A 120-volt outlet can be used to recharge the battery but it can also be recharged at a dedicated charging station of 240 volts or more.
This Chevrolet costs approximately $43,000. In comparison with a similar vehicle costing $28,000, recovering your investment should take less than six years if you drive 20,000 annually.
Extended-range electric vehicles
Fuel consumption: less than 3L/100 km
Average CO2 emissions: 2,944 kg/year (from gasoline engine use)
Chevrolet Volt (2.5 L/100 km) (price: $43,000)
Cadillac ELR (NA) (price: NA)