>>>>>>>GM expects 230 MPG for the Volt - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32370233/ns/business-autos/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>...which is pretty cool. Question of course is how much is the lititle sucker gonna cost? And then how much is the car-dealer going to stick it to you since they're in demand. I can already see GM's suggested price being like $40,000 for the thing, and then the dealers screwing everyone and getting $65,000 for them.
>>>>>>Anyway we'll see what happens. I really hope it works and the things are affordable to buy. The 300 mile range is nice, but I would like it to be closer to 600 - and how long does it take to charge the batteries from a 120 outlet? And lastly - in typical American car manufacturing style - the thing is dumb looking on the outside. Here they have this nice ground-breaking vehicle and it looks like every other ugly box that's been built the last 20 years. Geeeze - how about something a tad more sleek looking? I'm not saying that they gotta build a 4-door Tesla - but coooome one man! - at least get someone in the design department to make something with some more style to it!
>>>>>
>>>>>I think the idea is this will open the door for all the major players to have to follow suit with primarily electric vehicles.
>>>>>
>>>>>Americans are extremely stupid in general when buying vehicles (cash for clunkers has been the downpayment primarily for lots of new SUVs rather than intelligent/reasonable vehicles), but if they start seeing lots of shiny new electric vehicles, eventually they will catch on and it should become fashionable.
>>>>>
>>>>>For the moment - a Prius is the way to go if at all possible. We bought one for my wife a couple of months ago and the gas mileage is right on the money vs EPA estimates - She's driven about 3500 miles and has an overall average of 46.something MPG. I just barely fit due to lack of headroom, but I think we're going to trade in my Kia on another one anyway - the mileage is worth it.
>>>>>
>>>>>Once plug-in electrics come down into the $20k range (bet it will be within 3 years) we'll be into one of those.
>>>>
>>>>There are hacks you can do to the Prius to get much better MPG too. But again - the thing is ugly looking.
>>>>
>>>>As far as it being worth it cost wise for the MPG - do you realize how many MPG you'd have to get and how many miles you'd actually have to drive to make it worth buying something like that as opposed to a Kia from a cost standpoint?
>>>
>>>
>>>After discounts we paid about 23K for the Prius, plus we got 0% 5 year financing. We paid almost 17K for the Kia (in 2005) at 4.9% IIRC. Considering how much nicer the car is, we think the Prius was worth the difference even before the mileage difference.
>>>
>>>Assuming gas goes back up a lot (like it is in process of doing), the Prius improves it's value position.
>>>
>>>The idea of not paying Islamic or Oil company terrorists as much is worth a LOT on top of everything else.
>>
>>Apparently, GM wants $40,000.00 USD for a VOLT - Available in 2011.
>
>If we haven't really slid deeply into the new Depression by then there will be plenty of people who will show their wealth by buying them (same group buying H3's and the like).
>
>The other big automakers are working to catch up on actual green vehicles - competition will very quickly bring prices down.
>
>Alternatively Obama and friends remain in office and the Depression goes into full swing (along with terrorism coming ashore with a vengence and regional nuclear conflicts breaking out). Then all bets are off the table.
>
>I'm hoping they are out before the year is out.

The media certainly makes it look as if there is a need for the parties in the states to have a more even representation. It is more an anti Bush backlash government. Oh well, that will change too.