There's a lot not to like about electric cars. The Cobalt used to make the batteries has killed quite a few in Africa but nobody mentions the conditions that are killing these people who mine the stuff.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/World_News_3/The_exploitation_of_Africa_s_land_and_people_5661.shtmlThis country does not have the infrastructure to support an all electric car of any consequence. Ask the folks in Kalifornia about energy shortages. We are about 20 years behind in building electric generation stations already, adding more demand is not the answer. Texas is the leader in the US for wind generation electricity. Actually Texas has more than all of the other States combined and are building them at the rate of 2 per day. But we are still short of making enough.
The Volt will most likely disappear as a blip in automotive history. Remember the GM EV-1? They leased almost 1800 units mostly in Kalifornia and was an all electric car- no fuel engine at all. Range was about 80 miles between charges. The folks that had them loved them but GM only leased the cars, none were ever sold. The car was simple in design using a lead acid battery and an amplifier like the one you'd find in a stereo system only of magnum caliber. All EV-1's were picked up from their lease holders, some at Sheriffs gunpoint, and destroyed.
Another major issue with any hybrid or electric car- you may die in a simple wreck. Most fire departments or rescue units have standing orders not to touch the car until the electrical system has been disabled. There have already been several responders injured from being nearly electrocuted by these "safe" cars. The early Prius had the disconnect in the rear interior panel of the car. Kinda worthless if the car was rearended. And there's still a possibility that the car is electrified due to a cut cable grounded against the frame.
AS with any of the Gov't claims of wanting more MPGs per vehicle unit sold, it's all political folks. It's like anything else, follow the money. The Gov't gets trillions from oil companies from taxes, rights, etc. they aren't about to kill the cash cow. The technology is already out there for us to be 100% energy independent and that the cars and trucks we drive are 100% clean air exhaust. If you have the want, research the Dr Paul engine. A very simple headless design with compression ratios in the thousands. Thermal Dynamics has known that the more you compress a fuel the more you can get out of it. These engines are getting right at 80% efficiency from a gallon of fuel you can make at home from your biogarbage. Todays best engines are just breaking 30% efficiency. But you can't have this technology especially since a 900 HP single cylinder engine only burns about 5 gallons in an 8 hour period. It would cost the morons in DC a ton of tax dollars and the lobbyist in DC that are well paid by the oil companies certainly won't let you have it. There is one unit, a 3 cylinder unit, making biodiesel in Kalifornia from garbage and the engine is 100% breathable exhaust. Here's part one of the engine on YouTube. The engine is about the size of a small suitcase making 900HP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=IL&feature=related&hl=en&v=Fz8Z9geyOkk
