Chevy Volt
GM’s electric-gasoline Volt just captured the prestigious North American Car of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show. The Volt topped 13 other cars to win the sought-after title, including Nissan Motor Co.’s all-electric Leaf and Hyundai Motor Co.’s Sonata sedan.
The Volt runs for about 40 miles (64 kilometers) on an electric charge before a small gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the battery and extends the range to more than 350 miles, according to Detroit-based GM.
The Volt began sales in December for $41,000. Buyers are eligible for a $7,500 tax credit for plug-in hybrids and electric cars.
The wins by a plug-in car in GM’s Volt and an SUV touted for its efficiency in the Ford Explorer reflect the auto industry’s investment in the notion that fuel economy will increasingly affect consumers’ purchase decisions, Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at Edmunds.com, said in an interview.
Calculating the cost of operating an electric car or hybrid can be problematic. For one thing, utility costs vary more widely than the cost of gasoline. The time and location of the recharge is significant. According to some EPA estimates it may cost the same to operate a hybrid as a 33mpg gasoline car. The fuels used to operate electric plants may not significantly improve air pollution as compared to running a fuel efficient gasoline car.
