New Chevy Volt Car - Chevy Electric Car

The Chevy Volt is the first electric car an auto company has sited for production. The Volt is scheduled to be released and placed in the consumer’s hands in November 2010. However, you may already see the Volt on the road due to some final testing requirements.

The biggest issue engineers are having to overcome is noise control. In other words, the vehicle is so quiet, yes you heard me correctly, the vehicle is so quiet they are receiving complaints. One in particular is from the blind community. Keep in mind, this community uses all their senses except their eyesight to walk and move around the city. Since you have no idea when this vehicle is approaching, it makes it very difficult for them to know whether or not it is safe to walk across the street.

It is very frustrating for the engineers because there entire goal is to eliminate all noise for the consumers. Currently, they are in the process of adding a very low humming noise to the engine block.

There has been a lot of press about the cost of the vehicle and whether the ordinary household can afford this new electric car. GM has been very sensitive to this issue and is offering incentives in order to get this vehicle on the road. The MSRP list price is $41,000.00, but the government realizes how important this vehicle is to the market place and is willing to give the consumer a tax credit of $7,500.00. Also GM is offering a 3 year lease (36 months) for $350.00. Included in this lease is the free installation of a 240 outlet in your garage to charge the vehicle. The vehicle can be charged with an ordinary 120V outlet but it will take between 7 – 8 hours to charge. With a 240V, it will only take only 3 hours (Identical circuit used for clothes dryers). Another consumer concern was the battery life. GM has also addressed this by placing an 8 year warranty on the battery or 100,000 miles.

I am sure your asking yourself how does the vehicle operate? It operates with both electricity and gas. If the vehicle is charged routinely every night, the vehicle will operate in the electrical mode until the battery charge runs out. Once the charge runs out, the gas powered generator will seamlessly provide the electricity necessary to extend you driving range an additional 300 miles or until you can refuel or recharge the battery.

The entire premise of producing this electrical vehicle is to save on gas and emissions control. I am sure your asking yourself, can this vehicle run on just gas alone? The answer is yes, but then you are defeating the benefits of owning an electric vehicle. If you never charge the battery, the Chevy Volt will run just fine but you will be spending a lot more money on gas. The cost savings of owning an electric vehicle has been estimated at $100 / month or more if you are a city driver.

There are many advantages in owning an electric vehicle. The most obvious being the savings of your monthly gas bill. The price of the vehicle may seem a little pricey to begin with, but when you amortize how much money you will be saving in gas, you will realize this car will be a lot cheaper to operate and maintain over the long haul.

Second, since everyone has access to electricity, this will allow us to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

Third, the vehicle does not have to be plugged in everyday. If you cannot accommodate a charge everyday, the vehicle will operate with gasoline.

Fourth, the vehicle can carry four adults comfortably with plenty of extra leg room.

There are many more advantages to list including how quiet this vehicle operates. Keep in the mind, the vehicle looks like any ordinary vehicle with it stylish and trendy design. Take a drive out to your nearest dealership and take it for a test drive and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.