So what makes the Chevy Volt so different from other cars? Well, for starters, it is an electric car that can run up to 40 miles on pure electricity…that’s gas and emissions FREE! After that, it uses it’s gas engine as a generator to recharge it’s batteries…and when you return home, just plug it into your standard 120 volt (8 hours till fully charged) or 240 volt (3 hours till fully charged) outlet and let it charge over night. That averages about $1 a day on a full charge a every night.  Just imagine if you did not have to charge it every night!

Not only is it closer to being “environmentally friendly”, it looks beautiful! This has been the one thing holding me back from buying a hybrid vehicle (if you don’t count the missing V8).  The only other car that I’ve been close to buying is the Chevy Malibu…but they really don’t offer anything new is design. I’m not exactly sure what the car manufacturers have had against hybrids and the limited accessories for them…which they are getting better at — FINALLY!

For example, the Honda Civic. I love Honda, we’ve owned 2 Honda Accords and have been very happy with them, but when looking into their hybrid vehicles I was completely disappointed. The Civic Hybrid did not offer the same features as the Civic Si. I want to be environmentally friendly…but I don’t want look like it!

Additional information from Chevrolet.com:

Technology: Volt is an electric vehicle with a range extender. Well, what does that mean? It means Volt runs on electricity from its battery, and then it runs on electricity it creates from gas.  Let’s assume you have a fully charged battery. Now, depending on the weather, the electrical features that are turned on and how you drive, you can drive up to 40 miles on the electricity stored in the battery — totally gas and emissions free. After that, its gas-powered, range-extending generator automatically kicks in to provide electrical power. So Volt can go for several hundred additional miles, until you can plug it in or fill it up again.  And Volt is even a FlexFuel vehicle as well, capable of running on the biofuel E85 ethanol (5).

Mobile: With the new OnStar mobile app, Volt owners can use a smartphone to access their vehicle’s current electric range and fuel efficiency. Plus, managing the Volt charging functions is easy with this application. You can look up the battery’s charge level, check on what time your Volt will be fully charged and ready to go, or even change charging priorities remotely with just a couple of taps. You can perform other commands remotely too — like unlocking doors or activating the remote start.

OnStar Mobile app demo:

I’m sure the Mobile feature will require you to keep the OnStar service active…which is understandable if your controlling your car from anywhere in the world, but I think the car should be Wi-Fi equipped so I can control it within my own network at home.  This would also allow me to download my audio files to the car’s hard-drive instead of using an AUX jack, USB or Blue-tooth. Maybe one day!

Watch MotorTrend’s Test Drive:

So it should come as no surprise that I would have to have one once I could drive. The only problem is, I like them new, shiny, and full of muscle. Ok…It’s no Corvette, but it still has a nice V8 that responds to my every need! I have come to love the Ford Mustang GT, especially since this is my 3rd one. I don’t see myself owning this beautiful beast much longer though. New styles are catching my attention every day, and driving by a dealership reminds me of when someone took me to any store…I had to have the new shiny car in the pretty package. This of course has to wait every 2-3 years since it’s not a $.99 cent purchase.

The new Pontiac G8 GT has caught my eye! It comes fully loaded under $33K and offers 361hp, but it only gets 15/24 MPG’s (OUCH!). It offers a lot of muscle and comfort wrapped up in a elegant yet fierce package. I’m curious if GM is having problems moving these babies out of their showrooms. Another one of GM’s products, the Chevy Camaro, is due out next year and I can’t wait to see it in the showrooms! Dodge also has their muscle car, The Challenger, which starts around $22K and offers 370hp with their V8, and 425hp with the HEMI V8!

I’m not too happy with Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep right now though. Their “Refuel America” $2.99 Gas Guarantee incentive really irritates me. I understand that they are preying on peoples emotions due to high gas prices, and it works just like any other incentive…but don’t call it “Refuel America”. We need to “Defuel America”! I think this incentive is promoting people to drive MORE since it’s not costing them as much, at the pump anyway. They should just label it “Consume America” since you can consume more for less. This advertisement alone should have us all running to hybrids fearing the shortage of gas due to these happy people consuming more than the average person pumping out more than $4 a gallon. Maybe this is their so called ass-backwards “gas solution” since they are a little late in in putting out their first two hybrid vehicles due to arrive Fall ‘08. Speaking of their new hybrids…why a Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid or the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid that only get 19 mpg’s?? Why not a mid-sized car?

This is one car giant that will not be getting my money anytime soon!