The Volt will be first but the Leaf is also a definite. It will be here this year. You may want to consider reserving A Leaf if you are interested.
Keep in mind that both cars have restricted markets at first. The Volt, if I remember correctly, is limited to Detroit, DC, and Los Angeles; the Leaf's list has been published elsewhere in the forum.
Isn't the Volt's 40mile EV range based on the LA4 city cycle just like the Leaf's 100mi EV range numbers? Either way, I think that GM has done their homework on the design, but also have reservations on the cost of the Volt. The Leaf has a 24 kWh pack - the Volt has a 16 kWh pack - is the cost difference of the two packs enough to offset the cost of the ICE and associated integration/development costs? If you assume $500/kWh battery that's only $4000. I've got to think that adding the ICE will add at least that plus some... Time will tell - GM will have to release pricing information soon enough, but you know they are scrambling to get as close to Leaf pricing as possible.
I would not buy one of the first Volts either, but I think that the OP's reasoning is way off. I would not buy one at first for the same reason that some others have mentioned - I simply do not want to be out at the bleeding edge with a car. I do think that GM is going to make a go of the Volt or die trying. You can not compare it to the EV1 - the only thing the Volt and EV1 have in common is they are both EV's. GM is a very different company. Just my opinion, but the Volt is all but a make or break car for GM. If they pull it off it will set them on their way. If not, the company will survive, but may be mortally wounded.
Considering electric cars came before ICE cars, were the first to post land speed records, and GM actually pioneered series-hybrids when they formed the company EMD in 1922 that made diesel-electric trains that still use this technology today; I say they have no excuse for not having a hybrid CAR far earlier than Toyota. So, I do see your point in not wanting to purchase the Chevy Volt.
Since I put low miles on my cars, I plan on keeping my Prius for a long time! If I were in the market though, the Volt design seems to have too many compromises, from being a cramped 4 seater, too expensive and little interest displayed by the dealers so far. Now that concept MPV5 on the other hand...
daniel i have to agree with you. so we essentially have 2 cars with the same issues; doubts about stated manufacturers performance #'s on the one hand, we have the 100 mile range Leaf. but then again, we know enough about the battery specs, etc that we know that 100 miles is plausible then we have the Volt; claims of 50 mpg in gas mode. now, EVERY car manufauturer has been trying to hit that 50 mpg standard ever since the Prius was proved to do it for YEARS. all have failed (the Insight being the one exception). some have come close. so we have to think GM has done something no other has... or... ya, right!!, what was i thinking?? but then again, the Volt is not on my list anyway. if the Leaf fails, i will look elsewhere. fact of the matter; the Volt burns gas. already have one of those, DO NOT NEED ANOTHER
The Leaf will not fail. But it's still unknown whether they'll sell it here in Spokane before I get my electric Porsche back, and once I have the Porsche, I might or might not decide that I really need two EVs. The Leaf will have some advantages over the Porsche, but with the Prius as a back-up for when the Porsche will not do, maybe I don't need the Leaf. Nissan better offer me a Leaf this year, or they might lose the sale.
Well, with all the rhetoric that GM puts out, I do not know one would even think they know it. They certainly have not said they made a mistake with the EV-1. Its that kinda colored-glasses look at history that comes from GM that makes me very concerned about their efforts. I mean, Wagoner was not up in front of congress admiting they screwed up EV-1, like Toyoda did with the UA debacle.
I agree with the first three statements. I am not so sure about the 4th. However, I am not absolutely 100% certain that they haven't learned their lesson. If they switch to offering a lease only, there is no way I would lease it with competitors also coming out with EVs (true EVs at that). And as I said before, with the Leaf hitting the market at about the same time (and likely first in my area) I suspect I will be buying a Leaf.
This is by far one of the ugliest cars GM has made. And it's interior? Wth can they make anything more boxy looking? Just watch a video on it you have to pull this HUGE leaver to engage into drive. I don't know, they claim a crazy high gas millage just to get people attention, GM government never lied to you before though...
If only the manufacturers had the backbone to enter their cars in the 21st Century Automotive Challenge so their real capabilities could be demonstrated. The EV competition is next weekend at State College. "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" would seem to indicate that their cars aren't up to expectations (or hype) and may be shown up by kit cars and/or conversions.
If u read about the EV1 and the EV1 series hybrid they sound a lot like the Volt. The Volt sounds like a 3rd gen EV1. If u look at the front inside of the EV1 looks a little like the front inside of a 3rd gen Prius. [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1]General Motors EV1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] I put deposite on leaf but will take a volt if it comes to my area before the leaf.
Why would I not buy a Volt? Let's see. 1) First GM car had the transmission fall off the bottom of the car at around 160K miles. Never mind the extremely large list of other issues with the car. 2) Second GM car needed the carpet replaced after 10K miles, had the air compressor die at 65K miles (just over the warranty) 3) Third GM car threw a piston just over the warranty. Let's see, putting a several hundred volt power supply in a GM chassis? Given that track record? I prefer myself non-BBQ'd. Thank you very much.
So many of the EV responders "drool" all over themselves thinking about the Volt and the Leaf ................... I do not understand why there is no apparent interest in the Toyota-Tesla?
Oh there is lots of interest in Toyota & Tesla. But they haven't announced a name for a supposed joint venture EV. Much less an actual car. Lots of threads on the model S, but that is due out in 2012-2013. Volt and Leaf are due out late this year. So they get more talk time.
Yes, there's interest. But it's awfully early yet. We don't know what kind of a car it will be. Will the joint venture produce the Tesla S? Will it produce the third Tesla, presumably an affordable family sedan? Will it produce the Roadster gen II? I think the joining of effort is fabulous, but until I know what they're going to build I am not going to begin drooling over it. And there's a whole web site for Tesla aficionados, so I'm guessing a lot of that discussion is going on over there. I believe that Evan, who is on the list for an S, is active over there. Or will the joint venture produce a Toyota-branded EV with some Tesla engineering? Yep. I'm interested.
u think there is no interest?? i am already considering dumping my 2010 Prius for the T-T EV product. that way i will have an all EV household. fact of the matter; i already have an EV, a very limited one and i want one that is more capable and want it YESTERDAY!!!. the Leaf covers that need and will be here in 6 months... not 2 years.
