[buzzy56]

The Volt just like the last GM electric vehicles (that were eventually crushed) were both over budget,over priced,and not practical at that time and even now.Other than the tax break that the purchase provides, and the ability to be unique and get to say I have one , there is absolutely no practical reason to own one.In all practicality the research will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.Timing however is not right for mass production of this type of vehicle as the market is not there and will not be for the near future.
Now let me say that my perspective is personal.I used to work at the plant in Lansing when the first GM electric vehicle was developed and as they prepared the plant for the production run and during debugging I had talked to the lead Engineer several times prior to start of production.He stated that even before production that the car would be over budget and the market limited due to cost and re-charging issues.If I remember correctly the initial estimates were cost's in the neighborhood of $20,000.00 and eventually actual production cost exceeding $40,000.00 per unit, a lot of dough back then.Now we all know what eventually happened to the program.Cars were brought back and crushed and the program was shut down.Eventually the Volt will follow the same fate only over a longer span due to Government hoop ala over alternative energy .Too costly and not practical for ninety five percent of the population.One giant tax write off for GM will be the result down the road.