Chevy takes the wraps off of their entry into the electric car wars, the Volt.



Cnet has the photos from Paris.

I have to say, it's a nice looking car on the outside, and definitely a step up from the Prius or its look-alike the new Honda Insight.  With those two cars form followed function, from the tall rear-end to the disc like wheels.  The Volt has a more traditional appearance for a sedan with an actual rear deck and a high waistline.

On the inside, though, they appear to have gone with modern kitsch.  Everything is glass screens and iPod white.  I don't think that the look is going to age well.

The Volt is interesting in that if you drive less than 40 miles after a full charge then the engine should not turn on.  This will get a lot of people back and forth from the office, and if your work allows you to charge your car that's even better.  However, I wonder if the engineers have thought about fuel stability.  If you are doing a lot of short trips, commuter style, then that tank of gas might be sitting in your tank for quite a while.  And gas will break down over time, which is why it is recommended to drain your lawn mower or add a fuel stabilizer when it is not in use over winter.  I wonder if we would have to do the same with cars like the Volt?

Posted by: jcallery at 08:29 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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