Probably because it runs ridiculously high compression, in order to be more efficient.

Not according to what I have read.

"we also discovered that the vehicle’s four-cylinder onboard generator — which maintains the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries – will require premium fuel, according to GM."

"In an emergency, regular gas can be used on the Volt, but fuel economy will be compromised, and the engine may become noisier. The Volt’s engine computer will detect the octane change and retard ignition timing. Still, Read highly recommends refilling the Volt with premium fuel as soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine."

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...es-and-no.html

That would explain it, but I'm not sure why this engine would be running such high compression. One of the side effects of high compression is usually power, something this engine is lacking. My bike makes more power, does so with less than half the displacement, runs a 12.4:1 compression ratio, and can run on regular unleaded. I'm sure the engine in the Volt is set up for lower RPMs and more torque, but I still can't think of a reason why a 1.4 liter engine would require high compression to make 75hp. I haven't seen anything from GM to explain it either.

Thread is chock-full of fail.

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/03...toblogGreen%29

It has a knock sensor, like practically every other car made today.

I thought the volt was purely electric. So now it takes gas? and what kind of electricity is this thing going to draw, affecting your electric bill?

The same person your article used as a source, GM Powertrain Spokesman Tom Read, was the source in the article I posted. I don't know which information is correct, but I don't feel to bad about it since Tom Read doesn't seem to know either.

It's called a range-extended electric. Would you rather walk, when it runs out of battery?

It functions as a full electric until the battery dies. Then the backup generator kicks in.

It's an electric car with an on-board generator. You can plug it in or let the car charge itself off the engine. It drives up to 40 miles on pure electric power if you plug it in, then the engine kicks in and charges itself. So you can drive it cross-country if you want, unlike a regular electric car.

It has a knock sensor, like almost every other car on the road.

And yet GM's powertrain spokesman has also "highly recommend(ed) refilling the Volt with premium fuel as soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine." This isn't coming from me, it is coming directly from GM.

You win, it will spontaneously combust if any 87 is put in the tank.

You realize that notice is in basically every owners manual on the road today, right?

A couple of Toyota manuals I've read say the opposite.:shrug: