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Chevy Volt to Get 230 mpg: Is it possible?

A summer 2009 announcement by General Motors that it expected the upcoming Chevy Volt to get a shocking 230 mpg in city driving certainly turned heads. The obvious response from the country: Is it true? The answer: We’re not quite sure yet. The announcement has made the arrival of the Volt in early 2011 one of the most anticipated car debuts in recent history, and has positioned the Volt to change the reputation and excitement surrounding American automakers.
How it works

The Volt will be a revolutionary electric vehicle that uses a new powertrain developed by GM. This “Voltec” system will use electricity to power the car. It can be recharged through a standard electrical outlet - just like a toaster or a coffee maker, but quite more powerful.

According to GM’s engineers, a normal driver will travel 40 miles before gasoline is even used. GM points to this fact as important because the majority of car trips are much less than 40 miles - meaning, the Volt is intended to be a solely electric vehicle for nearly all of the time. The Volt will be equipped with a smart four-cylinder engine that will kick on only when it “knows” you are running out of your battery charge. An internal GPS system will be able to detect how far you are from home and will disengage the gasoline engine when it has enough of a charge to get you home.
But really 230 mpg?