[ad#post_ad]Earlier this week GM released the 2011 Chevrolet Volt ordering guide for dealers to use. Included in the description about the gasoline generator were the words "requires premium fuel." This led to specualtion and surprise from fans and skeptics as to why in the world the car would require premium gas.
According to Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz, there are two main reasons.
"The Volt is all about efficiency," he said. "Premium fuel offers the opportunity to have a little bit more spark."
"Ninety one octane fuel also offers the opportunity to be a little more efficient, he added. "So technically its a five to ten percent fuel economy improvement the few times that most people will run the range extender."
Posawatz also claimed the increase is cost will be offset by the efficiency gains.
"Based on our calculations the fuel economy and efficiency gains you get will effectively compensate for the extra cost of premium fuel," he said
Additionally, premium fuel is apparently slower to go stale.
If people are not using the extended range capability a lot, the premium fuel does last a little longer," he said
"There will be a few that will have their gas go bad," he added. "We have ways to address that as well."
The AAA Fuel Gauge Report shows the current national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.74. The national average for a gallon of premium gasoline is $3.01.
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