Lithium Drive: CNBC: Test Driving The Volt—One Impressive Ride GM, TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, ALK.ax, LMR.v, LIT, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, ORE,ax, GXY.ax, F, NSANY, BYDDF, RNO.pa, DAI

  We are sure that apart from marketing controversy about its pure electric drive mode, GM Volt will be accepted very well in the market place and it is the ground breaking event in our oil addicted society. Price is still at the high end for the mass market to happen overnight, but it is one of the first steps to bring electric cars in any significant numbers on our streets from zero base. Growth for all EVs will be exponential - we are sure.

  When you look at competition from pure EV side Nissan Leaf will drive the market in USA and Renault in Europe. Renault Fluence - full size family sedan - will be a pure EV with range of 100 miles and sticker price in Europe of 22k Euros after rebates of 5k euro in France starting next year. You will have to lease the battery for another 79 euros per month, but all hassle with battery life is not your problem from that point. This price will translates into just over 30k USD at recent rate 1.4 for euro.

  We do not know, when the warning about Peak Oil will find its way to the White House and mass media at its full extend, but any market controversy and other small worries about GM Volt will be nothing compare to the groundbreaking fact that we have the technology now to survive after Peak Oil and it is already on the streets.

"This year we have quite a few warnings already about Peak Oil from main stream economists, universities, US military and government agencies all around the world. The question now is not if, but when is it going to happen.

We have time still, but it is running out very fast. After a certain point in the oil price increase the only concern we are going to have about Electric Cars will be their availability on a mass scale to preserve our way of life and freedom."

CNBC:

Test Driving The Volt—One Impressive Ride

By: Phil LeBeau

CNBC Correspondent

Ever since GM introduced its extended range electric car, the Chevy Volt, people have said to me, "Tell me if it's a decent drive or like put zing along in my grandpa's golf cart?"

Here's your answer: the Volt is an impressive drive.

I took the car out for an extended, real world test drive late last week. Over the course of 6 hours I tooled around eastern Michigan on highways and side streets. Regardless of where I drove the car, I kept saying to myself, "This car is going to change how people feel about driving an electric car."

It is smooth, effortless, and yes, fun to drive.

Is it a Corvette? No.

The Chevy Volt's electric motor provides 149 horsepower and 273 pounds of torque - in other words - Yep, it's got your giddy up.

But the Volt has plenty of giddy up. With the electric motor providing 149 horsepower and 273 pounds of torque, the Volt instantly responds when you hit the gas pedal.

And GM has succeeded in making the Volt's transition from electric power to the gas assist engine a smooth one.

When I drove a Volt prototype at the GM proving grounds a few months back, the was considerable noise when the gas assist kicked in. No more.

Also, I like the iPod-like center stack. It provides a steady stream of data (how much battery life is left, how efficiently I'm driving, etc.) And is easy to work. The touch pad is understated but attractive.

While I, and others, like with the Volt and how it drives, the real question is whether the Volt will sell. At $41,000 it ain't cheap. Yes, buyers will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit and then there are state tax credits of $2,000 to $5,000 depending on where you live. Still, if gas prices stay at the moderate level where they are right now, some may hesitate to pay $41,000 for an electric car.

But for now, GM is betting they will. More than 120,000 have said they are interested in buying. The electric car race is on and the Volt is ready to charge up the competition."

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