With the world's media in Vancouver, Chevy is taking advantage of the Olympic spotlight to show off the newest generation of electric vehicles.
They'll be coming to a car lot near you next year, but Consumer Reporter Chris Olsen got one of the first test drives on Monday.
The first thing he learned is: Call the Chevy Volt a hybrid and you'll get an argument from General Motors.
"What we call it is an extended range electric vehicle,' said Matt Crossley, director of engineering for GM Canada.
Hybrids use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to move the vehicle. The Volt's gasoline engine is a generator used to charge the batteries; only the electric motor moves the car.
"The Volt is really, truly an electric vehicle because the volt can run up to 65 kilometres on the electric system itself,' Crossley said.
And the range wasn't chosen by accident. GM's research shows most commutes are 65 kilometres or less.
The on-board generator recharges in three to eight hours, and sensors in the special cord won't let you drive away while the car's plugged in.
And the vehicle's acceleration in sport mode is impressive, Olsen said. But how much does it cost to operate?
"For 70 cents to a dollar you can charge the car and travel 64 kilometres," said Volt program manager Michael Lelli.
For a week of average commutes, it's the price of one large latte.
The Chevy Volt goes on sale in Canada mid-2011. The price has not been determined.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
