Sorry.
It was Steve-B, but didn’t appear to mention the Volt, and his mention of the grid was leading more toward the pure electrics.
The 40mile range is almost standard for most the electrics being quoted. I was just watching “Top Gear” with the Tesla (a modified Lotus Elise) and that was also a 40 mile range, IIRC. SIX HOUR recharge times and seriously diminished handling, if anyone is interested. I think it even died on their test track.
Sure.
If we have a battery “breakthrough” that allows exponentially increased storage and quick charges.
Like you said, “who knows”.
Maybe “Mr. Fusion” from BTTF will be a reality?
Carbon nanotube technology appears to be the most likely evolution of the storage battery. I hope it works, but I’m not betting the farm just yet. Maybe in 10 or 15 years.
The Volt is still an expensive proposition and GM didn’t help itself by stretching for that 230mpg claim. Like the Hybrid Tahoe (which we supply), it will only survive by government mandate or buyer ignorance.
In 1909, very few would have predicted reliable aircraft that could travel 1000's of miles carrying 100's of people, so I leave future breakthroughs as an open ended exercise in (fun) speculation.
"The Volt is still an expensive proposition and GM didn’t help itself by stretching for that 230mpg claim. Like the Hybrid Tahoe (which we supply), it will only survive by government mandate or buyer ignorance."
...still an expensive proposition... without a doubt!
...that 230mpg claim... I expect many consumers that buy this vehicle to utter WTF? when they drive it around for awhile!
...by government mandate or buyer ignorance. Products should sink or swim on their own merits. While it is true that new technology is often more expensive for the "Early adopters", a product that cannot be made affordable has no real future. It is also true that there are "economies of scale" that kick in when a market gets large enough. Will the Volt survive as a product? I personally doubt it. Will it introduce tech that will push the auto market in a particular direction? Maybe. I know that while I would like to have one for the "gee-whiz geek" factor, I won't be buying one at $40K plus.