However, while looking at those figures alone would have you thinking that it would be the owners of the purely electric model covering most no-emissions miles, a recent study suggests the exact opposite.
The EV Project Vehicle Summary Report, issued by the US Department of Energy (DoE), collected data between the months of April and June this year and compiled them for some surprising results.
It revealed that in spite of having more battery on board to take them further, Nissan Leaf drivers actually covered fewer miles than Volt owners. They back this up with more numbers: 629 miles per month for the former, and 759 for the latter.
A number of factors could be affecting these readings, though, so they’re not necessarily accurate without question, yet they do offer an interesting suggestion that Bob Lutz may have actually had a point about the Chevy using the gasoline engine only when needed; if owners operate it properly (i.e. keep the battery charged at all times via socket and plug) the 1.4-liter petrol engine is rarely used.
In fact, it was found that the 759 aforementioned miles of range actually constituted around 75 percent of the total number of miles driven (1,012 of them on average, to be precise).
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Greencareports
Still, it’s a notable vehicle, according to its official figures, and as if to prove it to the rest of the world, drag races were staged and recorded on video, showing the Qin battling it out against a wide array of fast motors.
Its powertrain is comprised of two electric motors working in conjunction with a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine to deliver a combined total of 298 hp (223 kW) / 440 Nm (324 lb-ft), as well as an EV range of 31 miles (50 km) and a claimed efficiency rating equivalent to 118 MPGe. Off the mark performance is said to be very good, as the car is touted to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph).
Now scroll down and check out the two videos posted below. The first is short and shows the Qin winning easily, while the second lengthier one shows it on the losing side, as well, and is more balanced.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Green.autoblog
As if the $75,995 GM was asking for their luxed-up Volt in Cadillac trimmings (before any incentives) wasn't already a bit of a stretch, this edition will cost you a mighty $89,500, which includes a $995 destination charge.
Cadillac says that the car, which sports a hybrid drivetrain pairing a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to a naturally-aspirated 84hp 1.4-liter gasoline engine that works as a generator and two electric motors with a combined output of 181 hp, will be offered in an exclusive to this edition "White Diamond" exterior paint color and a choice between a Jet Black or Light Cashmere interior.
An upgraded 240-volt charging station with professional installation will come as standard (valued at up to $3,000, according to GM), while owners of the car will have their own ELR Concierge Representatives for improved and personal service.
The Saks Fifth Avenue edition of the ELR will be limited to 100 cars.
When it comes to the actual numbers, Ford is proud to have shifted 2,179 Fusion and C-Max Energi models last month, in the same time it took Toyota to find owners for 2,095 plug-in Priuses (Prii?).
As they put it, they catapulted “from zero market share to 34 percent in 13 months,” an impressive achievement, and one that should really start to worry Toyota, which up until recently was the hybrid and alternative fuel champion in the US.
It's worth noting that some places contributed more to the growth than others, though, like New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. – here, sales doubled from the previous month!
It is also partly due to the increase in size of the entire sector, which grew from a total of 29,526 vehicles sold through October of 2012 to the 39,083 we recorded as having been sold this year.
By Andrei Nedelea
