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How?
What if you have to drive more than 40 miles?
Drive for 40 minutes and stop and recharge for two hours or more?

America is a BIG country.
40 miles doesn’t cut if for anything but “short” (by American standards) commutes.

Hydrogen would give us the range and refuel capabilities that more closely align with our current driving infrastructure. Electrolisys via nuclear power would be very “green”.

Electric cars are, essentially, a dead end.

The GM Volt is what is known as an "IN-LINE" hybrid. It is basically blocked out the same way that Diesel-Electric locomotives are run.

I hear people all the time bleating about "What if I have to go more than 40 miles?" and it is clear from their question that they do not understand the architecture of the Volt (and other IN-LINE hybrids). I will explain:

An IN-LINE Hybrid electric car has an ELECTRIC propulsion system. If the wheels are turning, it is because an ELECTRIC motor is turning them. The electric motor DOES NOT CARE where it gets its power from. The Volt has TWO power delivery systems: A big bank of batteries, and an small flex fuel ICE that turns a generator.

Now, ON THE BATTERIES ALONE, the Volt can putter around for about 40 miles (or somewhat less, would be my guess, but we will take the 40 mile range as truthful for the moment, as it is in the realm of believable numbers).

If the batteries are depleted, then the GENERATOR kicks on, the the car continues to run for literally hundreds of miles, burning gasoline or ethynol or what have you. The ACTUAL driving range on the Volt is HUNDREDS OF MILES, not just 40. The only way a Volt is going to leave you stranded would be just the same as any other car on the road today, if you forget to fill up the fuel tank.

Just as Diesel Electric Locomotives move freight for 1000's of miles, the range on the Volt is similar to other cars on the road today.

Now, due to the SIMPLICITY and EFFICIENCY of an electric motor drive, the ICE that turns the generator is FAR SMALLER THAN AN ICE THAT WOULD HAVE TO MECHANICALLY PUSH THE CAR. This is where the payback for In-Line Hybrids comes from over time.

Far from being a dead end, electric propulsion is THE FUTURE of automobiles. Now, where the power comes from to turn the electric motor is an open question at this point.