Where: Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai, China

When: April 19, 2007

Who: General Motors Corporation

What: Unveiling a Version of the Chevrolet Volt Electric Car

At the Shanghai Auto Show this weekend, GM unveiled a new version of the Chevrolet Volt electric car. In order to extend its range with zero emissions, this car uses a hydrogen fuel cell. “The experimental Volt is GM’s leading entry in the auto industry’s race to create a commercially viable electric car that can compete with the range and performance of gasoline-powered models.” The theme of Shanghai’s Auto Show is alternative vehicles. Automakers plan to show off their fuel cell and gasoline-electric hybrid models.

GM’s Chevrolet Volt

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The new volt, in order to extend its range to 300 miles, uses lithium-ion batteries that can be plugged in to charge and a fuel cell to recharge them while on the road. Increasing these fuel cell vehicles gives them a confident chance to complete alongside gasoline vehicles. How to fuel cell vehicles really work? These vehicles “run on the power produced when oxygen in the air combines with hydrogen that’s stored in the fuel tank – producing only harmless water vapor.”

GM has not yet set a day for the start of selling this car. Right now, they have begun production enginerring, a process that alone can take three to four years. GM plans to distribute 100 of its produced cars to members of the public in North America, Europe, and Asia for testing.

According to Lawrence D. Burns, GM’s vice president for research, a key factor for the electric car to be accepted is the availability of hydrogen at filling stations. Right now, companies are developing technology to produce hydrogen from natural gas

Hopefully, GM will to able to satisfy the consumer in order for the Chevrolet Volt to be purchased. It’s a great step in the right direction, because automobile emissions are one of the greatest contributors to global warming. If everything works out and this car gets on the market, trips to the gas station could be potentially eliminated!! So let’s hope everything works out.

Sources

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=31656

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=12611

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/jan2007/bw20070108_195447.htm

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Green_Car_News/GM_Plugs_Fuel_Cells_into_Volt.S196.A12244.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt