Neil Young to Talk about LincVolt at SEMA (Photo Gallery)
Rock ‘n’roll icon Neil Young is scheduled to speak today about the LincVolt at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, an automotive aftermarket event held annually in Las Vegas.The LincVolt is a 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible that has been converted into a plug-in electric hybrid. The technology under the giant hood is similar to that in the Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle, but with a few significant differences.
The LincVolt has a four-cylinder engine that works in tandem with an electric generator. The generator fuels the battery, and the LincVolt can go up to 50 miles on electric power only when fully charged; with a full tank of gas, the car can go a reported 400 miles with both power sources in “charge sustaining mode” for an EPA estimated 23-24 mpg.
The generator runs on E85, and can refill the battery in an hour if the car is stationary. One interesting note about the car, besides its unique look: “LincVolt focuses on ultra-low carbon emissions as value, not mpg,” according to the group’s website, www.lincvolt.com. Young took the car on a cross-country trip in August, traveling from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., with a stop at the Alberta tar sands in Canada, to raise awareness about the car, the technology and the dangers faced if alternative fuels aren’t adopted more widely. He also talks about his work on the project in last year’s New York Times’ best-selling book, “Waging Heavy Peace.”
Click on any photo for a larger version. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.
