Quote from Sandybestdog:
So if it's a hybrid, it needs two sources to power the vehicle. When I got my Volt 5 weeks ago, I filled it with gas(9 gallons). The car said the extended range with gas was 310 miles. 5 weeks later, it still says 310 miles. So what has been propelling my vehicle for the last month? It certainly hasn't been gas.
I'm really not understanding what your point is. Your resume is very impressive but your reasons for not liking the vehicle are not. You seem totally upset that the gas engine may at times while in extended range mode directly power the vehicle when it's over 70 MPH. Really? That's your whole beef with the car? The theoritical car you described above is basically what we have today. Of course it's not perfect. Of course it would be great if the range was longer and/or the battery was smaller for the same range and therefore cheaper. But what major "compromises" does this vehicle have? Is is cost effective compared to a Cruze with 30+ MPG, probably not. But it's the only thing like it and a brilliant concept that I'm sure will be improved upon in future generations.
If you really want to critisize something, the Leaf promised 100 miles per charge, Real world, people are getting closer to 60. Talk about range anxiety. Not to mention that Nissan has gradually creeped up the price now that the Leaf is almost as much as a Volt. A more practical approach would be a Volt with extended range capabilities or the new Prius with a 15 mile range for considerably less money.
By the way, the Volt is on the Cruze platform, not the Malibu. The engine is also the 1.4L engine that is in the Cruze.