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Photo 2011 Chevrolet Volt courtesy GM
A car that gets 230 miles per gallon in city driving is guaranteed to make front page news all over the world. And that's just what General Motors got with its announcement Tuesday of the Chevrolet Volt mileage.
But one day later, GM's bragging rights do not look so good, because the EPA will not stand behind GM's mind-blowing claim. Why?
Unless and until the EPA tests this car, it can not verify GM's bragging rights. The EPA released a statement this morning saying:
- EPA has not tested a Chevy Volt and therefore cannot confirm the fuel economy values claimed by GM. EPA does applaud GM's commitment to designing and building the car of the future - an American-made car that will save families money, significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create good-paying American jobs. We're proud to see American companies and American workers leading the world in the clean energy innovations that will shape the 21st century economy.
Another question is how General Motors more than doubled it's fuel economy prediction from 100 mpg less than one year ago, when it reached a ratings agreement with EPA.
How quickly things change. Yesterday, GM was golden. Today, the story is whether or not the feds will back GM's claim.
But it really doesn't matter. Even if the EPA whittles a few dozen miles off this spectacular 230 mpg number when it actually does test the car, General Motors has made a huge, gigantic, 230 yard leap in the public perception. Until yesterday, GM was perceived as a bankrupt company which had to get rid of humongous gas guzzlers like the Hummer division and money sucks like Saturn to survive.
The hype over the Chevrolet Volt -- 230 mpg or not -- is turning GM into a forward-thinking company with green car ideas. And that's really what this is all about.
GM has been hyping the Chevrolet Volt for more than three years. I've seen it bathed under fancy lights, showcased on a turntable, at at least three auto shows, including the New York Auto Show this past April.
Message to GM CEO Fritz Henderson: Let's get this puppy off the assembly line before 2011.
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Comments
ecogeek dot org slash automobiles slash 2904
Ecogeek has done a pretty good job of addressing some of the questions and issues raised by the 230 MPGe claim for the Volt that GM has put forward.
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