GM Volt's Voltec Propulsion System named Best New Technology

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) voted the General Motors Voltec Propulsion System the best new technology of 2012. The award, presented by Shell Canada, was announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

The Voltec Propulsion System, which provides the power for GM’s Volt, delivers, according to GM, between 40 and 80 kilometres in pure electric mode using the 16kWh lithium-ion battery. With a full tank of gas and a full battery charge, the range is up to 610 kilometres. GM calls Voltec the world’s first plug-in, electrically driven, extended-range system in a production vehicle.

Though they do not call it a hybrid, the Volt can run on electricity or on gasoline. When the battery is depleted, power is inverted “seamlessly” from a 1.4L, 63kW (84-hp) engine to the electric drive.

Among its features that make it unique, the Voltec battery can be warmed or cooled depending on the weather outside to ensure reliability. A management system continuously monitors the battery for more than 500 diagnostics for safety and performance. This management system prevents complete depletion or full charging of the battery, both of which can shorten battery life.

Said Kevin Williams, president and managing director at GM of Canada, "The Voltec propulsion system is the heart of the Chevrolet Volt, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient range-extending engine to create the only electric vehicle on the market today that does not require a customer to make compromises on when and where they can travel."

The Voltec system edged out Mazda's Skyactiv G gasoline technology to win the award in what AJAC technology award chairman Gerry Malloy called the strongest field of entries ever.

"The Voltec system is a worthy winner, for it is truly a pioneering technology that is certain to be adopted by other vehicles in the future," said Malloy.