GM predicts 230 MPG for Volt

General Motors Co. predicted Tuesday that its Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric car will get 230 miles per gallon of gas in city driving.

If confirmed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which tests for mileage figures posted on new car stickers, the Volt would be the first car to exceed triple-digit gas mileage, a GM official said.

Toyota’s Prius, the most efficient car now sold in the U.S., gets 48 miles per gallon.

The Volt is powered by an electric motor and battery pack with a 40-mile range. After that, a small internal combustion engine kicks in to generate electricity for a range of up to of 300 miles. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet.

The downside is that the Volt is expected to cost nearly $40,000, nearly double the sticker price of some economy hybrids.

The Volt is scheduled to appear in showrooms in late 2010. link.....