The Volt's not sparking.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Alright ... but what if you want a hybrid?

Well, I will say that when I test drove the Audi Q5, it was a hybrid. I'd drive that. Was totally confused though when I hit start and never heard an engine running.

[ChrisBlair]

The problem as I see it is that when the batteries are no good- and they will go bad, each cycle will reduce ultimate capacity a tiny bit, bit by bit- what's the actual cost of disposal? Not just in dollars, although that will be a pretty penny.

Let's say a million Electric cars sold like hotcakes. In 10 years when the batteries start getting replaced, how much fossil fuel will need to be burned to dispose of them?

If the infrastructure supporting the maintenance is not there, it's one step forward, two steps back.

[myold88]

^^^^ Exactly ^^^^ And where do the treehuggers think the electric power to keep charging those batteries comes from? It comes from coal, oil or nuclear power- Oh that's right, Calif just announced last week they have shut down another nuke plant for good.......
We have more natural gas, coal and oil in this country than we will use in several hundred years-
How about get smart and just use it.
IMO of course.

[snizzle]

Lease the Volt as a daily driver. Done. Give it back and upgrade once the improved voltec is in place next gen.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by myold88

^^^^ Exactly ^^^^ And where do the treehuggers think the electric power to keep charging those batteries comes from? It comes from coal, oil or nuclear power- Oh that's right, Calif just announced last week they have shut down another nuke plant for good.......
We have more natural gas, coal and oil in this country than we will use in several hundred years-
How about get smart and just use it.
IMO of course.

That's because the people pushing "green" technologies are short sighted. They aren't able to see past saving gas now and understand that plug ins use electricity generated by fossil fuels and both hybrids and plug ins will eventually need their batteries replaced.

[strych9]

Hybrids are a joke. Because of the cost of the vehicle up front, it would take over 10 years of use to realize any cost benefit of owning one.

Unfortunately, and all-electric car is the answer. Like Tesla. However, again, you have the cost vs benefit argument, but from a slightly different angle.

I'd rather spend $40k on the likes of a Camaro SS and have fun in it, rather than worry about fuel expense an economy.

Wow, could you imagine a day when there is no refined gasoline available and our cars would have zero value? It could happen.

[arod55]

My wife just leased a Volt this pass Saturday. And yes the Volts are expensive. One of the main reason was for gas savings and here in California you can get a green sticker and use the HOV lane with just one person.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by arod55

My wife just leased a Volt this pass Saturday. And yes the Volts are expensive. One of the main reason was for gas savings and here in California you can get a green sticker and use the HOV lane with just one person.

I never understood the HOV lane stickers for hybrids and other cars like that. Shouldn't cars that get horrible mileage be allowed to drive in the HOV lane so they don't pollute as much?

[01pewterz28]

At $40+k what did they expect if they could get pricing down to $30k+ sales would jump.

[MR 45TH]

I test drove one the other day just for fun, what a cool little car! I agree I would never pay what they want for them, but if they get the price down it would be a good selling car.

[upflying]

The Volt is $30,000 from the tax credits most of us are paying to people who buy a Volt.

[arod55]

Originally Posted by upflying

The Volt is $30,000 from the tax credits most of us are paying to people who buy a Volt.

You do not get the tax credit if you lease the car. You do get $1500. tax credit given by the State of California only.