Other renewables

Electric vehicles Volt Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended-range capability and lithium ion batteries has been named a 2011 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, achieving “good” scores in four types of crash tests and offering crash-avoiding electronic stability control.

The IIHS tests vehicles to determine how well they protect occupants in front and side crash tests, a roof strength test, and simulated rear impacts to evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries.

“Safety remains one of the most important factors buyers weigh when purchasing a vehicle,” said Doug Parks, Volt global vehicle line executive. “The IIHS designation reiterates the Volt as a safe, practical vehicle that can be a family’s only car – without compromises.”

Safety features on the Volt include:

GM’s StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system
Front-, side- , knee- air bags as well as roof-mounted head-curtain air bags that are rollover protection capable
LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for Children)
Rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen
Five-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections Plan including Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation

Because the Volt operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a chip sound to help alert pedestrians.

With this rating, the Volt joins the Chevrolet Cruze, another small car that recently received a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

www.chevrolet.com