Chevrolet Volt may have a lower price tag than expected...

[a_Username]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-...atestheadlines

DETROIT (Dow Jones)--General Motors Co.'s long-awaited Chevrolet Volt may cost less than the expected $40,000 price tag, a company executive said Thursday.

The company, looking to make a big splash with it's first mass-market, battery-powered car, expects to launch the vehicle later this year.

Critics have said the Volt's anticipated cost, higher than other cars in the segment, would be a barrier to making the Volt a mainstream hit, even factoring in federal incentives help lower the cost of green vehicles.

Jon Lauckner, GM's head of global program management, said the Volt's price could be notably lower than the anticipated $40,000. "We have until this summer to figure that out," he said, speaking at a ceremony to mark the start of Volt battery production.

As GM finalizes plans to launch the Volt, the company's board...

If they can hit a mid to high 30K price range, then I have no doubt this will be a seller. Prius beware.

[FenwickHockey65]

This reminds me that I still need to correct this thing on a bulletin board in my friend's dorm that lists the Volt's release date as "Unknown."

[AngryAmish]

If it is mid 30's: sold.

[AngryAmish]

Oh, can't remember...
Is the $7500 a rebate or deduction?

[Mark A Collier Sr]

Is the battery issue fixed? "Replace batteries every 3 years... ($6,000)" To me that takes away from having a "green" car. That is why most of the other cars of the type dumped after the initial pomp and flare.

[2ndgenz28]

Originally Posted by Mark A Collier Sr

Is the battery issue fixed? "Replace batteries every 3 years... ($6,000)" To me that takes away from having a "green" car. That is why most of the other cars of the type dumped after the initial pomp and flare.

But what is that 3 years based on???


Like light bulbs that say 30 years of life, fine print says average use of 3hrs per day.............

Did they use real mileage numbers or low "green commuter" ones to come up with 3 years of use?

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

Oh, can't remember...
Is the $7500 a rebate or deduction?

The IRS website says it is a credit "ranging between $2,500-$7,500".

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Mark A Collier Sr

Is the battery issue fixed? "Replace batteries every 3 years... ($6,000)" To me that takes away from having a "green" car. That is why most of the other cars of the type dumped after the initial pomp and flare.

The Volt's batteries are designed for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The Volt's batteries are designed for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Aren't they also reusable?

I thought I read somewhere that unlike other hybrid or electric cars that has to be thrown away, the Volt's batteries can be sent back to GM to be remanufactured and made like new.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Mark A Collier Sr

Is the battery issue fixed? "Replace batteries every 3 years... ($6,000)" To me that takes away from having a "green" car. That is why most of the other cars of the type dumped after the initial pomp and flare.

The bulk of the 'pomp and flair' was the opposition, saying its unsuitible, won't last, yadda yadda yadda. The biggest opposition to Li-ion batteries was Toyota, and last I heard they are now going to be using them in their plug-in Prius.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

Oh, can't remember...
Is the $7500 a rebate or deduction?

It's a tax credit. IE, you would still pay full price, but when you file your taxes you get a $7,500 credit.

[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The bulk of the 'pomp and flair' was the opposition, saying its unsuitible, won't last, yadda yadda yadda. The biggest opposition to Li-ion batteries was Toyota, and last I heard they are now going to be using them in their plug-in Prius.

I still have a hard time putting this under a "green" car. Just because we use the facad of "electric", that doesn't necessarily mean it is better for the environment.

Between the current methods for making electricity (coal), and the fact that most batteries head to the landfill once dead, the difference between this current form of electric car and a conventional combustion engine are argueably minimal.

IMHO... this whole "green" movement is a joke, aka gimmick to sell products. And without anyone questioning in public, they just go about stating lies. Uh-hum... global warming sound familiar? (lies)

Don't get me wrong, when/if we really do invent the technology, assuming it is possible, electric will be the way. Combustion won't be able to even compete. But batteries need much longer life than 40 or even 100 miles. I mean... no plane could use this! We arn't there yet, forcing something that isn't feasable is a waste of time, and may cause the real solution to take even longer than it should.

My $0.02.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by 5thGenOwner

I still have a hard time putting this under a "green" car. Just because we use the facad of "electric", that doesn't necessarily mean it is better for the environment.

Between the current methods for making electricity (coal), and the fact that most batteries head to the landfill once dead, the difference between this current form of electric car and a conventional combustion engine are argueably minimal.

IMHO... this whole "green" movement is a joke, aka gimmick to sell products. And without anyone questioning in public, they just go about stating lies. Uh-hum... global warming sound familiar? (lies)

Don't get me wrong, when/if we really do invent the technology, assuming it is possible, electric will be the way. Combustion won't be able to even compete. But batteries need much longer life than 40 or even 100 miles. I mean... no plane could use this! We arn't there yet, forcing something that isn't feasable is a waste of time, and may cause the real solution to take even longer than it should.

My $0.02.

Then don't think of it as good for the environment, think of it as a way to quit using gas or at least lessen our dependence on it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The Volt's batteries are designed for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

+1. And at this point, they are still expected to maintain 80% +/- of their capacity.

A lower-than-40k pricetag would be fantastic!! I won't get my hopes up for anything below 35k, though...

It would be fantastic if the one time I'm pessimistic, I turn out to be wrong.