J
2010-08-09 14:24:32
“and travels an underwhelming 40 miles before needing a charge (340 miles when the gas engine is invoked, defeating the basic purpose)”
I have to disagree with your conclusions here. It’s my understanding the short range of the Volt is due to a small battery, the intent being that it act more as a capacitor than a battery, with the engine running at peak efficiency to charge it for situations where the engine can’t produce enough electricity to drive the motors. The Volt may be a piece of crap, but the concept (similar to locomotives, which are extremely efficient but don’t have to deal with stop and go driving) is actually pretty good, and probably the best way to build reasonably priced ultra efficient cars over the short term.
