Chevy Volt to cost $41,000 before rebates

[wpsedgwick]

Source: Examiner

General Motors is finally answering the question of pricing for its first mass-market electric vehicle - the Chevrolet Volt. The electric vehicle will have a sticker price starting at $41,000 when it hits showrooms later this year.

But government tax credits and rebates designed to speed the entry of electric vehicles into the marketplace will make the price more attractive. There's a federal tax credit of $7,500 for electric vehicles. Additionally, Californians are eligible for an additional $5,000 rebate through the state Air Resources Board.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-42287-Chicago-Green-Technology-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Chevy-Volt-to-cost-41000-before-rebates

[benld74]

1. NISSAN Leaf is NOW and in the mid twenties,,,

[dmallind]

2. Well not quite in either case

It's a bit closer than the Volt but December deliveries are start for early roll out states and it is 32.5K before the rebate.

I prefer it over the Volt and would go that way if I had the timespan to do so, but EVs will remain pricey for a while until battery technology improves, which it certainly will just as fast as ICE's did.

[saigon68]

88. On the $12.00 an hour prevailing wage around here

No one can afford one

[dmallind]

108. Luckily median household income is 50K+

No one can afford one and year long waiting lists for both Volt and Leaf do not reconcile. Since median car price is 28K right now I suspect the latter is more accurate.

[Kalyke]

131. And no one ever will if people keep buying cars where the profits

go overseas... like Nissan (above you). :eyes:

[jpak]

14. The Leaf is all electric - the Volt is primarily electric with gasoline back-up

and has a much larger range than the Leaf (which supposedly has a 40 mile range)

[dmallind]

45. Leaf has 100 mile range and yes indeed is all EV so more expensive battery

It's much harder to get 100 miles than 40, so the battery pack is under more stress.

[jpak]

51. 100 miles under ideal conditions by much less depending on traffic, weather and accessory loads

more folks will go for the Volt

and

its price will come down with increased sales

[DainBramaged]

61. GM can ONLY build appx. 10,000 this year because of battery availability

Once the Michigan plant comes on line next year, look out.

[dmallind]

76. Same algorithm used for Volt EV range. Lowest range for Leaf is 65 in torture tests

That included max AC and 80+mph

[defendandprotect]

71. .... must be the gasoline which makes it so expensive . . . ???

and limits it's range to 40 miles???

[jpak]

75. no - it's the 4 cyclinder gasoline generator and the Li-ion battery that gives it a 300 mile range

and the Volt doesn't need a charging station (the Leaf does) and can be charged with a standard 120-240VAC residential electrical outlet.

More folks will vote for the Volt

yup

[DainBramaged]

48. Nissan Leaf is $32K +++ and only has 100 mile range

$32,780 to be exact.

Facts even escape DU sometimes

[NNN0LHI]

83. More like a 47 mile range if need to use the heater or air conditioner

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/14/nissan-pegs-leaf-range-between-47-and-138-miles-individual-resu/5

[DainBramaged]

99. We're pissing up a rope, the preconceived notions of these people astonishes me

no wonder this country is so fugged up, people are clueless and claim to be experts.


I FUCKING WORK FOR CHEVY DAMN IT. And yet they think they have the answers.

[dmallind]

104. You work for Chevy so you know everything about all cars?

Like the "lease only" Nissan Leaf battery that was based on year old speculation on a GM board?

[NNN0LHI]

106. Look at the bright side

You work for Chevy and I am retired from Ford. Have you ever seen anyone ever admit they were a Toyota or Honda worker on this board since you have been here?

I haven't.

Ever wondered why?

Don

[DainBramaged]

117. GREAT point, GREAT point.

I am PROUD of my work, as are you. The Yoda's must not be........

[Kalyke]

132. Hi NNNOLHI! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Ford!

I've loved all of them. I've never owned anything but a Ford and will never own anything but a Ford.

My Mustangs have rarely (if ever, in some cases) needed any engine work outside of standard maintenance. My last Mustang had a sensor issue that shut it down, but, dang, the car was 12 years old. Fixed the sensor and didn't have another problem with it. I traded it in a couple of years later on a newer Mustang, but just because I liked the body style. The old one was running fine, but needed a clutch (maintenance).

My hubby has a BMW that has been in the shop 19 times in three years. When he gets it paid for or nearly paid for, he's getting another Ford (he had a Ford truck he traded on the BMW when I was expecting). No more foreign jobbies for him.

:hi:

What plant are you retired from?

[NNN0LHI]

133. Chicago Stamping Plant / UAW Local 588

Kept paying my union dues after I retired too. Even though it was optional.

Take care and see you later.

:hi:

Don

[dmallind]

105. and in stop and go 6mph traffic you "forgot" to mention

Since that is only likely in rush hour in the most congested places on earth such as NYC,or LA, how likely is a 47 mile commute under those conditions?

[NNN0LHI]

109. Rush hour traffic my rear end. I have found that kind of traffic on a Sunday at midnight

All it takes is for a ballgame or two to be finishing up or a couple of big concerts to be ending or a Taste of Chicago closing for the night to find yourself in that kind of traffic. And just one accident at any time or day of the week, of which there are many, along with the gawkers can back up traffic for an easy solid hour or more. I have seen gawkers backing traffic up for miles from slamming on their brakes to gawk at a couple of bags of garbage on the side of the road. This is real common stuff around here.

Take my word on this one. I have been there and done it. More times than I care to remember.

I hate driving in and around Chicago any time or any day of the week. On a day when everything goes well I can be in Loop in about 45 minutes from here. I leave two hours before I need to be there for that trip.

Don

[TheWraith]

116. I for one would not go with the Leaf because of range. Period.

I could accept an all electric vehicle like the Teslas, which have a real-world range between 200 and 300 miles. But 50-100 would be uncomfortable at best and impossible at worst. I would be nervous about whether I could make it from here to the nearest major city and back. And if I ever did have a need to travel in an emergency, it would be useless.

From a logistical and engineering standpoint, the Volt is the far superior vehicle. Plus the design can be adapted later on to other sources of energy such as fuel cells, pure ethanol, or larger batteries.

[dmallind]

123. for 47miles? My rear end ain't that big and neither is your'n. NT

[DainBramaged]

60. Nissan Leaf is NOT now (sigh)

http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index?dcp=ppn.39666654.&dcc=0.216878497#/leaf-electric-car/index


December, and this year's production is sold out.

[dmallind]

77. Of course, neither is Volt. NT

[Statistical]

78. Apples to Oranges.

1) you can't buy a Leaf or Volt right now
2) the MSRP for Leaf is $32,500 not "in the twenties"
3) The Volt is eligible for the exact same credits that Leaf is.

[Newest Reality]

3. Green is a Luxury!

The beater brigade is not exited since we barely have enough to fix our rattle mobiles and only hope to be able to continue driving and pay our fees as they reach like hi-rise buildings upwards.

However, the conscience resolving value and new techno-toy appeal of this vehicle should make some folks feel really great and help them imagine what a great thing they are doing by buying and driving one. Green Karma to them! I shall wave and smile and wink and give a thumbs-up to them on the freeway.

[daleo]

5. It will expand in time

To economy cars.

[dmallind]

8. Imagine? Using no gas at all is an imaginary benefit?

I drive less than 40 miles a day 95% of the time. If I had a Volt, or even better a Leaf where that 95% would be 99.5% at 100 miles, I would use zero gas instead of the 400 or so gallons a year I do now. That ain't imaginary.

[Newest Reality]

15. No, not imaginary for the owner, perhaps.

We would have to shift the provision of power from petroleum to the electric power grid. There is still energy involved.

The infrastructure in this country is in very poor condition. Decaying is a better word.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that there has to be a transition and people who can afford it are not doing any harm. It is a catch-22 in that it should be done very quickly and collectively, yet we have an economic scenario right now that effects the dire necessity of doing so in negative and contrary ways.

Everyone has to be able to afford the reto-fits and upgrades and new technology. Also, the invested powers that be are still in the way and putting profit over long-term survival for the bulk of Humanity.

Otherwise, this greeness will just contribute to corporate profits and most likely help to strengthen the economic walls while continuing to alienate and abandon the exploding underclass.

[dmallind]

19. Early adapters always pay more

POrices will decline with technology improvements and volume.

The grid needs help, but we can and even do to a small extent use renewables to feed it, so there still being energy does not mean all energy is equal.

The Volt and Leaf will not be all that profitable for a long time. These are image cars that cost billions and will be sold at thin margins. Not I confess out of the goodness of their hearts, but because they want to sell more cars of any kind and they know EV's are the next wave.

[daleo]

66. I plan to put solar panels on my garage roof, once the E-car is affordable

It won't pay for every charge, but it would work for a good part of the year. I am lucky to have the option(garage in the right place and sufficient income). I realize that not everyone can go this route, though.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, I guess.

[Statistical]

79. Couple points.

Not all energy is the same.

1) Electric motor is far more efficient than an internal combustion engine (about the least efficient invention in the history of mankind.
Electric vehicle roughly 98% efficient plug to wheels.
Internal combustion engine vehicle roughly 12%-20% efficient tank to wheels.

Higher efficiency means less energy required to actually travel because less energy is expended just heating up the atomosphere.

2) CO2 output per mile is lower on electric vehicle even with current grid (50% coal).

3) Cost per mile is lower on electric vehicle even at current gas prices compared to the most efficient gasoline powered vehicle.

[jpak]

17. Yeah - all automobiles were a "luxury" items 100 years ago

as were VCRs, CD players, PCs, cell phones etc.

nice try though....

[defendandprotect]

73. And, US government financed the gasoline service stations on every corner . ..!!

[snooper2]

23. Power Steering used to be a luxury, along with power windows

at one time having FM radio

And at one time having tubeless tires

And at one time having an electric starter


And so on and so forth....

[ejpoeta]

38. and automatic shift as opposed to a stick.

[defendandprotect]

74. Seat belts and air bags used to be "luxuries" -- !!! hmmm...

[Hosnon]

27. Personally, green is the only show of wealth that I don't find per se pretentious.

It's beginning to be my standard by which I measure the wealthy. If you can afford to have a footprint as small as it can be, then you should.

[superduperfarleft]

I love this post.

:)

[Auggie]

4. Early adapter pricing?

[DainBramaged]

49. Initial cost is because of limited battery availability

Once battery production increases, price comes down.


Maybe a few of the detractors can understand that.

[Cyrano]

6. Oh, goody. After a $7,500 rebate and a $5,000 rebate, we get to pay

a mere $28,000. Then again, there's taxes, financing costs (if you need financing), and another few hundred if you want a radio in the car (antenna may be optional).

Car dealers have been screwing us for so long that we look at a price of $25k, $30k, or $40k, and think there's something normal about it.

It seems that in addition to everything else that's been stolen from us, we've lost the ability to know when we're getting screwed beyond belief.

[dmallind]

9. Tell me - how much should a new car cost?

How much should teh people making it get paid? How much should the R&D and engineering, especially for a new vehicle, cost? How many safety features should it have and what should they cost?

Especially a radically new design - how much should innovation cost?

[Cyrano]

31. How many Americans make $30,000 a year?

One year's pay for a car??? Gimme a break.

[dmallind]

44. Far more than half of them. NT

[totodeinhere]

72. Most American households take in more than $30,000 per year.

In 2007, the "real" (adjusted for inflation) median annual household income rose 1.3% to $50,233.00 according to the Census Bureau.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States

And that was 2007. It has surely gone up since then.

[dem mba]

113. since 2007?

probably up and then right back down again, sadly.

[dem mba]

112. on the bright side

one can resell their car for a tenth of the retail price in only five years!

:eyes:

[Travis_0004]

13. Several Car makers needed a federal bailout last year and you accuse them of making too much money

Bad management maybe, but they are certainly not rolling in the cash.

[Cyrano]

32. And you really think the benefits of that bailout are being passed

along to the American consumer? I have a bridge I want to sell you.

[DainBramaged]

134. Do you plan on buying an AMERICAN UNION made car in the future, today, tomorrow, soon??

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Greyhound]

47. They failed because they took years and years of record profits and plowed them

into building factories in no-rights, cheap labor markets, creating/buying financial companies, real estate investment companies, huge executive salary increases, and everything in the world except designing and building cars, modernizing existing facilities, or improving their workers lives.

[snooper2]

28. wrong wrong wrong...

It will be the first vehicle to include five years of OnStar’s top-tier “Directions and Connections” service and the OnStar smartphone app in addition to a Volt-specific app to control charging and other functions. There’s a 7-inch LCD navi screen and a Bose entertainment system with a 30-GB hard drive. Safety features include eight airbags, electronic stability control and traction control.

The only options are polished aluminum wheels, leather interior package (seats, steering wheel and door panel inserts), three premium paint colors (red, white and viridian joule) and a back-up camera with parking assist. A fully loaded Volt will cost $44,600 before the federal tax credit.



Read More http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/07/its-official-chevrolet-volt-will-cost-41000/#ixzz0uuKZVJ9j

[Cyrano]

37. "A fully loaded Volt will cost $44,600 before federal tax credit."

$44,600 for a car??? In today's economy with so many people out of work???

What color is the sky in your world?

[snooper2]

43. the first 10,000 will be sold within 30 days- mark my words

Although unemployment is high, there are STILL lots of people out there who are working and do buy new cars...

Would I buy one of these, hell no- but I know of folks that would like to...I would never buy a new car because I (A) Know how to work on cars and can evaluate a good used vehicle and (B) Majority of cars depreciate in value



The sky is a great shade of light blue today with just a few clouds and a slight breeze by the way- pretty nice day in the metroplex...

[dmallind]

55. There is already a reserved list months long so they are OK saleswise. NT

[CountAllVotes]

35. don't forget the annual cost of the vehicle license fee

and here in California they'll 3-4X more than they'll be in other parts of America.

Given what I know, the tags alone will cost at least $500.00+ a year.

Throw in that 9% sales tax along with the license fee, now we are up to about $47,000.00+. Great deal alright. :eyes:

[Cyrano]

39. Yep. Look at some of the replies above. I don't know what planet

some DUers are living on. Perhaps I'm living in some kind of Enterprise type holodeck program where $47,000 is just pocket change.

[petronius]

128. There are an awful lot of cars on the road that cost more than $40,000

That price would give me pause, but I'm sure there's a big enough pool of people with that kind of cash. and of course, few people plunk down the entire price of a car at one time...

[KansDem]

57. Something tells me that if it weren't for the rebates...

GM would price the car at $28,000.

However, GM sees it can get another $12,500 for each car indirectly from the government.

[DainBramaged]

62. How do you know that? I know for a fact GM will LOSE money on every one of these

amortization, look it up.

http://gm-volt.com/2010/05/16/nissan-admits-it-will-lose-money-on-the-leaf-at-first-too/


Nissan has repeatedly contended they would make a profit from selling the LEAF, which contrasted from GM’s admission that they wouldn’t profit from the first year or two of Volt sales. GM always said the Volt was an investment in the future where Gen 2 and beyond economies of scale and price reductions would make the car profitable. After all lithium-ion batteries are very expensive at today’s prices.

Nissan has now admitted they are in a similar position to GM.

Over the course of the vehicle life, it is profitable—in year three,” he said.

The intial supply of LEAFs for the first two years will be built in Japan. That plant has an annual capacity of 50,000 cars, 20,000 of which will be shipped to the US.

In late 2012, Nissan will open its US-government funded Smyrna Tennessee LEAF plant that can build 150,000 cars per year.

It is at that volume when the cars will first turn a profit said Carolin.

According to Nissan USA director Mark Perry, the 24 kwh, 600 pound battery pack will cost less than $18,000 ($750 per kwh). The packs will eventually be made in the US at a plant in Tennessee that will have an annual capacity of 200,000.

Nissan has an internal target of $9000 ($370 per kwh) for the pack which it hopes to achieve when US high volume production starts.

The caveat here is Nissan can thus only turn a profit if the cars can sell at the projected volumes. Despite its low cost of $25,780 after the tax credit, and assuming no major gouging, concerns about range anxiety may hamper sales, especially if prospective buyers directly compare the car to the Volt and the flexibility it provides.

[dmallind]

80. More than a year out if you reserve one today. Don't think sales are hampered much.

Personally I prefer an EV to be an EV. Twice the range I need the vast majority of the time (in league with the vast majority of commuters who drive less than 50 miles per day). I would rather not have to deal with gas at all. Again, moot point for me but if I had the time I would go Leaf over Volt. Both are far better than anything else feasibly priced today of course, and I would in no way sneer at Volt owners, but I see them as a better fit for people with only one car in the house and who frequently drive more than 100 miles daily. For those with two cars and a more normal range daily commute I'd pay less and get a completely non-gas car.

[Lightning Count]

7. So about 28K after the rebates, that isn't too bad.

I may get one, but I really need a truck version right now.

[hobbit709]

10. 10% of that would be out of reach at my current financial state.

[NorthCarolina]

11. It will sticker for about 8k more than the Nissan Leaf

eom

[DainBramaged]

50. The Leaf ONLY has 100 mile range before needing a recharge

the Volt will travel (est) nearly 400 miles because the engine charges the battery.

So you'll have to find someplace to park it before trying to drive across country. Unlike the Volt, which can.

[dmallind]

56. ...and for the vast majority of people and trips 100 miles is more than enough. NT

[Lightning Count]

94. Don't forget that you also have to get back.

So really it's 50 miles if that.

[dmallind]

96. Yep - that's included. Most people drive way less than 100 miles a day.

It's pretty easily validated too, over and above plenty of survey data.

Even assuming NO weekend travel, people have to do their daily commute about 250 days a year. If 100 miles a day was normal, average mileage per year for a car would be 25,000 miles. 36,000 if we add back weekemds. So somewhere in between in actuality. Let's say 30K. Now sure some cars do that, but how many used cars as a percentage have 30K per year on them. The average is about 12-15K which comes out to be about 40 miles per day.

[Lightning Count]

102. My general weekend meandering is more than 50 miles...

Especially if I'm visiting friends. I think most people will want the option of going over 50 miles. Do you not think so?

[dmallind]

103. One way BTW Possibly - the Leaf is likely suited to multicar families, which is most of them. NT

[LanternWaste]

111. Well, since the office is 12 miles from my place...

Well, since the office is 12 miles from my place, driving across the country doesn't come into the equation. Since most families own two cars, I can easily envision one being as gas-independent as possible with no adverse effects.

Oh... and before the Presumptuous Righteous Rage meter hits the red, I currently do not drive across the country in my American car either.

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Houses used to cost that much in the Sixties . . . . .

[dmallind]

16. ...and median family income was $7500 then too. NT

[CountAllVotes]

29. $16,000

that is what my late father paid for his house in 1964.

This is BS. I'd never pay $40,000+ for a car, never!

:kick:

[Lightning Count]

46. It's all a matter of perspective. I just bought a refrigerator for 2800.00.

It's more of the Japanese style of refrigerator though with 4 separate compartments to keep all types of food fresh. Not to mention that its also much more efficient than the older models.

[Statistical]

82. What about $5,794?

Due to the "magic" of inflation.

$40,000 in 2010 dollars is the same as $5,794 in 1964 dollars.

Saying you will never buy a $40,000 vehicle is short sighted. Maybe you won't but eventually your great grand kids will likely buy a $200,000 vehicle.

It will only take 47 years @ 3.5% inflation.

$201,491 in 2057 = $40,000 in 2010 = $5,794 in 1964 = $1,407 in 1900.

Most vehicles in early 1900 were more than $2,000. The only exception was Model T which was "only" $900 at launch.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

For over a century people have been saying "I will never pay X for a car, never". A generation later people would be happy to only pay that much. :)

[CountAllVotes]

110. I won't

and neither will my grand children. Was smart enough to avoid that possibility! :D :D :D

P.S. My Dad bought a spanking new VW Super Beetle in 1973 - the cost was $3,000.00 (out the door price) FYI.

[snooper2]

30. .

[KeepItReal]

18. I think Chevy would have gotten my 40K for this:

The Chevy Volt concept


But definitely not for this:


Production Chevy Volt

[sinkingfeeling]

20. I like the bottom one better. It doesn't look like an elephant sat on the roof.

[KeepItReal]

26. LOL

(eom)

[truebrit71]

42. Yeah I agree..Concept car is too angular...but $41k is very, very pricey...

..

[dmallind]

21. I prefer the lower - visibilty would be horrible out of that squashed pseudo-retro concept. NT

[Lightning Count]

22. I agree....

Why GM mommifies their cars so much is beyond me. It's like someone came in and told them, "Make this design more bland. I'm talking milquetoast."

[KeepItReal]

24. The production car looks like it was made for Hertz and Avis

The concept car looks like it was made for car enthusiasts.

There was great disappointment on the Chevy Volt blog when the production pics came out.

[Lightning Count]

40. That is an incredibly apt description.

I may steal that :).

[DainBramaged]

63. It was made in a wind tunnel for minimum drag

espect to see more vehicles following that design in the near term.

[Lightning Count]

64. That may be the case, but I was hoping for more Chevy Camaro

And less Chevy Cavalier.

[KeepItReal]

69. Agreed.

(eom)

[DainBramaged]

53. So were you going to buy one?

[KeepItReal]

68. Yes. I've followed the Volt since the concept car was announced.

GM also announced the Cadillac Converj which is based on the Volt platform:


They decided to kill that car outright.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6625105/concept-cars/why-gm-killed-the-cadillac-converj/index.html

GM keeps snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[DainBramaged]

98. it's called reality and market volume

and that dictates saleability.

[KeepItReal]

115. That's no excuse for poor design work. Look at the Chrysler 300. Looks good and SOLD.

All people do not want bland people movers no matter how technologically advanced they are.

Some people want that basic transportation, some go for performance, some go for design/technology, and others go for utility.

As a car enthusiast, I've followed and watched GM make vehicles that are derided by professional car reviewers. Even when I worked for a GM subsidiary in the late '90's and got the employee discount, there was not one new GM car in my price range I would have purchased. I researched a slew of new vehicles, learned about depreciation, and bought a used BMW M3 instead. Best money I could have ever spent on a car.

If GM had pitched a concept Volt that looks the actual production model, I would not have been interested at all - thus no disappointment. I don't want a glorified Chevy Cruze. Just like I have zero interest in the Nissan Leaf.

I don't think it is too much to ask a car company to back up the fuel efficiency with looks - Tesla is doing it with their Roadster, Honda is trying with the CR-Z hybrid, and even Porsche is trying an electric Boxster.

[DainBramaged]

120. (sigh) You obviously aren't buying it, so our 'conversation' is over

The Chrysler 300 looks like a casket on wheels. Good as a police car and that's about it. And being you have been hypnotized by Bavarian bs, why does this matter to you? Oh wait, I don't care.


Cya.:nopity:

[KeepItReal]

125. Oh now i get it it...you work for GM.

That explains it.

[DainBramaged]

129. And fucking proud of it too.

[KeepItReal]

135. Good. I don't wanna see them or Ford or Chrysler fail.

If GM made something like today's Camaro or the Pontiac G8 GXP in 1997 they would have gotten my biz. Those vehicles are terrific. The only thing with some flair that wasn't dated was the Pontiac Sunfire (which I did test drive) - the Camaro back then was weak sauce.

[petronius]

126. The bottom one is much nicer IMO, although I'm not a fan of the meshy-looking grill

or the side-view mirror. Good looking car, though...

[Ian David]

25. I plan to buy a 3-year-old used Chevy Volt when they're available. n/t

[Newest Reality]

34. Be prepared

to replace the expensive battery pack, or get rid of it before then, though. Let's hope that the other maintenance on the vehicle is low enough to offset that cost.

http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1047162_2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack-warranty-8-years-100k-miles

[Ian David]

36. The batteries in my 2001 Prius lasted nearly 9 years.

From the day I bought it, until the day I sold it a few months ago.

[Indydem]

65. 8 year GM warranty n/t

[miyazaki]

92. Looks like Nissan just matched that eight year warranty.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-27/nissan-says-leaf-electric-car-s-battery-to-have-8-year-warranty.html

[Statistical]

84. Batteries are warrantied.

If battery pricing falls say only 20% per year. in 8 years the battery pack will be a tiny fraction of current prices (and likely will go further and last longer as well).

If battery tech doesn't progress (doubtful) well you got bigger problems because battery based EV are a dead end and you likely won't find anyone to buy the Volt off of you.

[Skink]

33. the oil companies are going to have to inflate gas prices somehow.

Cities will probably raise gas taxes to make up for shortfalls.

[Roland99]

41. I'd rather buy a Tesla for that price!

[DainBramaged]

59. You can't buy Tesla for that price

Actually, at this moment, you can't even buy a Tesla.

[Roland99]

67. 2012 Tesla S coming soon...about $60k

I'd be all over that over a $40k Chevy.

[Statistical]

85. $60K vs $40K. 2010 vs 2012 (maybe unless pushed back).

In 2012 lets see what the price of a second gen Volt cost and compare it to Tesla S.

That being said that S looks damn sexy.

[DainBramaged]

97. Like I said, you can't buy a Tesla for that price, nor even get it serviced

apples to pineapples, your argument is deflated. Read more, learn more.

[DainBramaged]

52. OK snark masters and naysayers, let's review

this is THE FIRST truly electric car for the masses. It beats the Leaf to market, is a real car that charges it's own battery, may actually get nearly 500 miles in range on a tank of fuel, uses ethanol too, YOU CAN ACTUALLY OWN ALL PARTS OF IT and don't have to lease the battery like the Leaf, and once battery production rams up, price will drop like a rock and the technology will improve.

Sorry it isn't a Toyota folks!


http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/fuel/electric.do

[dmallind]

81. Actually we don't know which one will be first, and the Nissan battery is owned too. NT

[Statistical]

86. I like the Volt over Leaf (extended range for win) but you can't say it beat Leaf to market.

Neither product line has rolled a single unit off the dealership floor yet.

Also Nissan isn't leasing the batteries. You can lease or buy the car just like you do with the Volt.

Personally I am glad there are now 3 EV in the United States. I can't wait until it is a dozen models across 4 or 5 companies.

[Bette Noir]

54. You can buy a brand-new Prius for $22 K.

They're nice. I doubt the Volt will be as good, let alone better.

[dmallind]

...and it doesn't get 230 mpg. NT

[DainBramaged]

58. Most of you don't get this

This is the first true mass market electric, knowing GM like I do, once the battery technology comes down in price, it will be LESS than a Prius, but I doubt any Prius owners will care.......

[defendandprotect]

70. We're giving $36 BILLION in loans to the nuclear industry -- !!! Thanks, Obama!!

How about subsidizing the electric car industry?

How about we nationalize the oil industry? Because until we do we will

never have any real alternative energy in America --

and, of course, we're also enjoying the lovely oil wars!!

[Statistical]

87. Yes Thanks Obmama.

More nuclear power = less coal and EV need some method to charge.

"How about subsidizing the electric car industry?"
Um we are. Nissan, Chevy, Tesla all received R&D funding from DOE for advanced battery and engine designs. Chevy also receive a grant to modernize one of its plants to built the Volt. There is a tax credit of $7,500 for each one sold. Sounds like some smart subsidizing to me.

So I will join you. THANK YOU OBAMA.

[northzax]

91. and aw heck

let's point out that the electric car industry used much of that stimulus money directly to build industrial facilities in the US. Tesla in Fremont (the old Toyota plant to build the S) Nissan in TN (to build the Leaf and the batteries) GM in Michigan to build batteries. exactly what was supposed to happen.

[nemo137]

118. Seriously, where do people think the electricity for these things comes from?

More nuclear = less coal. Doesn't that sound pretty self-explanatory?

[miyazaki]

90. Decade from now when there are millions of EV's we'll need

the nuclear plants to juice em' up. Need them anyway regardless.
Thanks.

[snooper2]

95. nuclear power good D&P

just repeat that a few times...

Look at all the violations and fines and inspections and every scary article about nuclear power over the years. You know what, that's a good thing. Unlike the inspection process of say OFFSHORE DRILLING WELLS!

[Psephos]

121. Going to need some serious quantities of non-carbon electricity to charge those cars.

That probably explains some of the thinking behind the nuclear grants and subsidies.

Look at France's CO2 emissions per unit of GDP vs. ours (or, far worse, China's). France gets 80% of their electricity from reactors. It can be done.

[HughBeaumont]

89. Yeah, unless that "financial miracle" happens . . .

. . . looks like I'll be sticking to my 1997 Cavalier and it's 256,000 miles. No car payments >>>>>>>>>> $400 a month, thanks.

[flvegan]

93. For those that can afford it, kudos to Chevy for building this.

I look forward to them expanding this technology to more of their line in the future.

[spinbaby]

100. How is this mass market?

Even with rebates and tax credits, it's an expensive car.

[DainBramaged]

101. (sigh) reading the thread would give you a clue as to why it's priced this way

and I'm not going to repeat what I've written before, please look for yourself................

[dmallind]

107. A)Who said it was supposed to be

beyond an opinion editorial? It's a niche car with limited availability for quite some time - as intended. New technology is never mass market off the bat. Blu-Ray players were $700+ a couple years back.

B) for lucky CA residents it's right at median price for new cars net

c) for everyone else the average $1000-$1500 savings in gas should cover the $5K difference from median pretty quickly.

[JNelson6563]

114. Awesome!

I think it's fabulous that this is happening. In a few years, once battery production increases and prices drop, I'll be buying one!

Julie

[IDemo]

119. My last car purchase was in '93

And it will very likely be my last. 53,000 miles, looks and runs like almost new. I wouldn't mind attempting one of these some day, though:

(home built electric motorcycle)

[Mnemosyne]

122. Good to know our wealthier citizens can afford to save money. n/t

[dmallind]

124. Volt after rebates is right at median new car price. Hardly a Bentley. NT

[Mnemosyne]

136. Median, exactly my point. Thanks. n/t

[SoCalDem]

127. Think about this though.. Supposedly, in a good year, 17 million new cars are sold

For many (most?) of those new cars sold, there are older ones traded in & sold as used. Those used cars are and probably will be the cars of choice/necessity for the masses/

An occasional "New Shiny" will come along and WOW the gotta-have-a-new-car crowd, but most of us will still be buying the cast-offs because we cannot afford (or just won't pay that) those expensive toys.

Cars can last a very long time, and often make their way through whole families as kids start to drive, so a few "green" cars sold for very high prices, will not "solve" much...

When all the auto manufacturers decide ...at the same time.. to just stop making the inefficient ones, we might see some change, but even then, it would take a decade or so to start really feeling any difference.

[LWolf]

130. It's a beginning.

Those who can afford it will be on the front lines of a wave of change. Those of us who can't will come behind, some years down the road. But, by then, more infrastructure will be in place to support electric vehicles.

The volt, the leaf, the future rav4...they all look good to me. For most of my driving, plugging in overnight would work just fine.

I do have some concerns about the short distance (100 miles) between charges. If I want to drive out of town, even with charging stations available on the way, it's going to be a slow trip. Stopping for 30 minutes every hundred miles would mean a minimum of 10 stops, 5 hours of charging time, to visit my son. I can make that trip today (given the $$ for the trip, which is non-existent at this time) in 11-12 hours, 3 gas stops. I've done it almost a hundred times in the last 2 decades.