2012 Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is considered by many as one of the most important developments in the automotive market since the Toyota Prius. The Volt, like the Prius, has its engine as the heart of this innovation. The Chevy Volt uses a regular 1.4-liter inline-4 gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor to move about, a basic description of most hybrids as well. However, unlike full hybrids such as the Prius, which alternates between a gasoline engine and an electric motor, or "mild" hybrids which move primarily by their gasoline engine with a boost now and then from the electric motor, the Chevrolet Volt reverses the paradigm and moves primarily via its electric motor with the gasoline engine acting as a recharger for the batteries. The Volt can also draw upon standard electric current via a plug with the entire set-up making it, essentially, a plug-in hybrid, though General Motors prefers the term, "range extender."

Fuel economy of the Chevrolet Volt relies heavily on the driver's regular range and driving habits. The Volt can travel up to 50 miles on battery power alone before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge, so theoretically anyone whose round trip is within those miles will never need a fill up as long as they recharge the battery nightly. The EPA estimates the Volt has a total range of around 375 miles between fillips with a combined city/highway fuel economy of 93 mpg under pure electric power, or an estimated 60 mpg using both motors.

The Chevrolet Volt debut in late 2010 as a 2011 model, and won Motor Trend's Car of the Year.