Comments on: Green Car Rally: The Rookie Chevy Volt Versus the Veteran Toyota Prius

By: Used Cars

Used Cars — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:17:06 +0000

It will be interesting to see how the Volt matches up.

By: 10 Signs Your Next Car Won’t Be Electric

10 Signs Your Next Car Won’t Be Electric — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:02:06 +0000

[...] models in the 2010-2015 time frame. The new Prius starts at around $22,000, and fully loaded costs a little over $32,000. Most electric models coming out in the next few years will likely start around $40,000, with [...]

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Dear Midwestern Bike Commuter- I appreciate your comments, but have to disagree with you on the point about the perceived importance about the way cars look. You are mistaken if you think that people don’t or should not care about the way a car looks. Though I don’t agree, I have heard countless times that people don’t like the look of the Prius and therefore, prefer the look of other hybrids, even though the Prius has better performance. The reality is that people do care and GM obviously realizes this. My article had only a one sentence reference to looks…that was not the main stay of this article by any means.

By: Car Curious

Car Curious — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:41:11 +0000

Does anyone know if the $7,500 Fed. tax credit applies even to people who are subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax?

By: midwestern US bike commuter

midwestern US bike commuter — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:07:05 +0000

As far as I’m concerned the Volt remains vaporware until I see one on the road.
I’ve owned hybrids since 2000 and have been happy with both my 2 seater Insight and 2nd generation Prius. My Insight continues to deliver in the 65 mpg range.

I am tired of hearing reviews like yours emphasizing/talking about how cars look vs. how they perform in efficiency and durability. That is below sophomoric even. Detroit was distracted by that and horsepower for too long.

Cars are not individual fashion statements, despite what advertisers would have us believe. They are transportation– and should be safe, efficient and durable. Anything else is not sustainable.

I agree the Leaf would be a better comparison to take on, and maybe gage the results for different states by how green their grid energy is now. Also how long will the batteries on a pure eV last? We’d like to know about the mfr warranties for the drivetrain too. You can’t review vaporware on these bases.

By: change now

change now — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:22:23 +0000

This article is very disingenuous, as others point out. The 2010 Prius is extremely reliable, powerful, and here NOW. The Honda Insight was very wimpy and did not inspire much confidence at higher speeds. The 2010 Prius is a top-seller on its’ own merits, does not rely on federal govt. subsidies, and is not being kept afloat with taxpayer money. If we are a “democracy” or a “capitalist” society, GM would not even exist as a company. A better comparison would be made between the 2010 Nissan Leaf and the 2010 Prius, actual cars that actually are being produced. I think the Nissan is much more viable and runs totally on electric. The weak argument that electric runs on coal and is not better than oil. Then get your elec from solar/wind. If you live in a progressive state, you can actually do this. Southern states would not know this as the coal companies monopolize electricity production. Priusus sell on their own merits, and are not being subsidized by US taxpayers. If you have forty grand, a better bet would be to wait to buy the next-gen tesla, which is being built in Tesla’s new US taxpayer-funded factory in Delaware…and is presumed to be around 50 Gs. Tesla is also subsidized by our govt since founder comes from GM, but at least is a new company not one mired in unending failure, like GM. Why do successful companies in this country get penalized, while unending failures like GM get rewarded??? I vote Dem. after bush disaster but there is a limit to bailing out rich people. Toyota built a new factory in Tupelo MS and is still waiting for US govt. bailout $$$ to start building here and supporting US jobs.

By: The Daily Five: Thursday, 26 November, 2009 | EcoTech Daily

The Daily Five: Thursday, 26 November, 2009 | EcoTech Daily — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:57 +0000

[...] Chevy Volt Versus the Veteran Toyota Prius The Volt is slated to receive a 230 mpg rating (through a bit of creative math), which is impressive, but we wanted to know how it stacks up against the current hybrid front runner, the Toyota Prius. [...]

By: Patrick Clark

Patrick Clark — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:30:51 +0000

Let us for a moment accept the manufacturers’ figures as correct, and with all other things being equal make some simple calculations.
Cost of Volt(basic)=$40000-$7500=$32500.
Cost of Prius (basic=$21000. Difference=$11500.
Now assuming average operating cost of 2 cents per mile for the Volt (to be kind) versus 5 cents for Prius (€750/15000 miles), difference = 3 cents per mile.
This translates in the Volt having to run 383,333 more mile to offset the difference in initial price incl rebate.
While time has taught us that Priuses reach suh mileage problem-free, the same cannot be said for the Volt. So its a tall order for anyone to take the risk.

By: Dave MC

Dave MC — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:48:01 +0000

I love the Volt. It’s the first smart thing GM has done in a long time and although it obviously won’t be perfect for long commutes, I really think it will be ideal for 90% of US commuters – especially if thoughtful employers allow recharging at the office.

Let’s put aside the nitty gritty and praise GM where praise is do. They may have brought us the Hummer, but this is a huge step in the right direction.

By: cheap cars for sale

cheap cars for sale — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:47:14 +0000

The 40 miles for the Volt is simply a mark. It depend on us how we drive, the topography of your trip, the circumstance of the roads, the ambient high temperature and use of the heater and A/C will all affect actual range.

By: Rich Evans

Rich Evans — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:42:30 +0000

The 40 miles for the Volt is merely a target. The way you drive, the topography of your trip, the condition of the roads, the ambient temperature and your use of the heater and A/C will all affect your actual range. To say you WILL get 40 miles on the battery is unfair to GM since it will create an unrealistic expectation for the prospective buyers. Please be careful in reporting this fact. Though I’m a happy Prius driver, I wish the Volt to succeed. It must deliver on its users expectations like the Prius does. It is important to deliver more than the marketing hype, not less. Many users will NOT get 40 miles per charge. This should be reported any time range is discussed.

By: Nick Aster

Nick Aster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:00:50 +0000

Good catch John, you’re right. But then again, there is no photo of the Volt in Action.

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:42 +0000

One more thing CB, not sure if you own a Prius, but it is not unusual for the Prius to sometimes start up at first using the gas engine and then turn over to the electric battery. This is actually meant to reduce pollution oddly enough. My best friend owns a Prius and on a couple occasions when it starts up, it initially runs on gas.

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:48:05 +0000

John-

I apologize for not putting a tag on the photo as a disclaimer, but the image is demonstrate the two “competing” cars. Also, one of the issues associated with the cost of the Volt is that the potential buyers will have to come up with the total amount of the car and then apply to receive a tax rebate, which for many will be a deal breaker. I am not alone in the opinion that this car is expensive….many other bloggers and news outlets are reporting that a 40k pricetag is too much and this isn’t even the full loaded model. Of course, once the Volt is available, we will see what the sticker price is, but for now, I don’t believe people are going to bite, particularly when their pocket books are already hurting.