Chevy Abandons the Internal Combustion Engine for Cars as We Know It. The Chevy Bolt is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, powered by an electric motor, using lithium ion battery cells. Chevrolet calls this the E flex drive-system. It's estimated range on a full charge is 40 miles. After 40 miles it would leave the batteries with a 30% charge and this is when the gas-powered generator is activated. The gas engine is not connected to the car's drive train, it's only available to recharge the Volt's batteries. This is what is know as a series hybrid, which differs from the hybrids on the road today like the Toyota Prius. The specs: Top speed: 120 mph 0-60mph: 8.5 sec Range: 40 miles (battery power only) - 640 miles (combined with gas powered generator) Weight: 3200 lbs Recharge Time: 0.5 hrs (using gas-powered generator) 6.5 hrs (using 120 V household current) Battery Type: Lithium Ion Electric Motor: 120 kW (160 hp) Gas Powered Generator: 3 Cylinders, 53 kW Estimated MPG:...