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Chevrolet Volt

15 years ago

What do you think about it?

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Comments (4)

steve_o
15 years ago
An important vehicle, but likely not a sales success, IMHO. It's too expensive for what it is (even with the government help and a sure sales failure without it). And I know lots of people who still have this (irrational?) dislike of "Government Motors" since the bailout and won't consider what they have for sale, regardless of how much better The General may be listening to customers these days. I also want to see what effects winter in Minnesota and summer in Arizona have on the electric-powered range of the Volt.

If GM is prepared to hang on and keep improving (and, ideally, lowering the price of) the car, they may have some success with it. But I think the car has a couple of strikes against it even before it walks into the batter's box.
christopherh
15 years ago
The Volt is only going to be sold in certain areas, so only a few will go into cold climates.

I just have a problem with me, a taxpayer, subsidizing someone's purchase of a Chevy Volt, but not a Nissan Leaf. Why?

I truly believe if GM want to sell electric cars that they finally admit are hybrids, (Yes, the engine does in fact at times drive the car, not just the batteries) They should go out into the marketplace and try to sell a $40,000+ car on it's own merits.
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steve_o
15 years ago
I just have a problem with me, a taxpayer, subsidizing someone's purchase of a Chevy Volt, but not a Nissan Leaf.

But you do subsidize the purchase of a Leaf, to the same tune ($7,500 tax credit). Unless you mean the whole "Government Motors" thing....
jemdandy
15 years ago
Its may be OK but will have a hard time competiting with the Toyota Prius because the Volt does not offer anything more than the Prius or any advantage. Its a case of too little too late. And the Prius already has a proven record.

The Volt is different in that can be recharged from the electric grid, but this does not enhance fuel mileage as much as one might think. Why, because the present method of calculating mileage for this car when it recieves a charge is incorrect. To properly account for fuel used per mile, the fuel burned at the power station to charge the batteries must be included to arrive at a proper number.

Another interesting aspect: At present, battery charging is subsidized. There is no road tax levied for charging the batteries, thus the vehicle is getting "free" use of the roads and not paying its fair share. Should auto charging (from the electric grid) necome popular, it is my opinion that taxation will follow, and this will add to the cost per mile and complexity at the home charging stations. A method of collecting taxes will have to be devised. Also, how do you catch the cheats who try to avoid these taxes. Taxing auto battery charging is going to be messy.

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