This week, General Motors finally gave us the first glimpse at the Chevy Volt, a "hybrid" car that will be released in 2010. While this car does have a gasoline engine, it is only used to charge the batteries if they run low - the drivetrain is full electric, much like the much missed EV-1. While electric cars are really cars with very long tailpipes, offshoring their emissions to the nearest power plant, GM claims that the Volt will be able to drive 40 miles without recharge on a charge that costs as little as a cup of coffee (probably Starbucks, but at current gas prices, still a steal).
The real surprise of this is the Volt actually LOOKS like a tech savvy leap forward, unlike the current bland line of Impalas, Malibus and Cobalts which look like they are straight out of the late 90s. It's quite possibly the first hybrid I've seen that I wouldn't mind driving, and coming from a company that's as unoriginal as GM usually is, that says something. Perhaps they are not only investing in new technologies, but about to change their image in the car world.
Check out the upcoming Volt at http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/.
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http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/vehicles/BC96ST2008/veh_intro.jsp?model=BC96ST&year=2008
Dan, I'll agree that the Volt is a nice looking car, and it's nice to see that the car companies are caring. I think the first time I got excited about hybrid was when Lexus started advertising. Not exactly a revolutionary look, but not exactly the blah of the Prius.
My money would be on the Tesla for an all electric car:
http://www.teslamotors.com/
That Lexus is a slick looking machine, but I would think that the Volt won't come with the $70,000 price tag it has. Plus, that Lexus isn't slick looking enough to justify THAT cost, it looks too much like a Camry or Corolla for my tastes. Lexus has become too "Toyota" in the last few years.
If Infiniti comes out with a hybrid, that might be worth looking at. Still, the Volt will probably be achievable for the masses, in ways that neither luxury company could achieve. The Prius is downright ugly, the Camry hybrid isn't very fuel efficient, and Honda's offerings are merely Civics and Accords at a ridiculous price.
Now if GM pulls a stupid and charges 70K for the Volt, I'll lump it the same as the Lexus - a nice try but not economical. When your savings are eaten up by the upfront cost of the car, it doesn't make an attractive purchasing choice.
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