Chevy Volt

The Chevrolet Volt, GM’s upcoming “extended-range electric vehicle,” has generated advance interest like few other cars this decade. First shown at the Detroit auto show in January 2007 as a radically styled concept car, it has evolved into a production vehicle—slated to be in showrooms in November 2010—at the same time its lithium-ion battery pack is being tested, and verified.

PROS:

The Chevrolet Volt is designed to run purely on electricity from on-board batteries for up to 40 miles, a large enough distance to cover the daily commutes of 75% of Americans, which averages around 33 miles. When it comes to plugging in, the Volt will be designed to use a common 110–volt household plug. For someone who drives less than 40 miles a day, Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions. For longer trips, Chevy Volt's range-extending power source kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack as required.

CONS:

In January 2007, the Chevrolet Volt was a radically styled concept car. Now indeed, the Volt turns out to be a stubby, slab-sided, high-tailed car with five doors, a high cowl, and a steeply raked windshield. Does that remind you of any particular top-selling, five-door, hybrid with unusual styling? Maybe, oh, a Toyota Prius?

The other problem is the length of time the Chevrolet Volt will take to charge. It’s not simply a matter stopping at your local power station and plugging in for five minutes and leaving. The so-called plug-in hybrid aims to have a charge time of 6.5 hours with a 110 volts electrical input, and 3 hours with a 220 volts input. Although Frank Weber, the Volt's vehicle line executive, was quoted to say “within an hour you might be already have half of your range pumped into the battery,” the charging technology does not permit for a longer drive. Again fine if you’re commuting, but impossible for a road trip.