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[[File:2012 Chevy Volt.jpg|right|250px]]

[[File:2012 Chevy Volt.jpg|right|250px]]

The '''Chevy Volt''' is a hybrid car produced by [[GM]]. Unlike the Prius it uses lithium-ion batteries and can run on only the electric motor for an extended period.<ref>"[http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/specs/trims.html 2014 Volt Models & Specs]"</ref> The 149 HP electric motor can propel the vehicle to 101 mph and after the 16 kWh battery is depleted the gasoline engine switches on to provide energy for the motor and can couple itself to the wheels directly when above 70 mph.<ref>"[http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2011_chevrolet_volt_test/ First Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt]", ''Motor Trend'', Dec. 2010.</ref> The Volt, like any automobile with a 16 kWh battery or larger, is eligible for a $7,500 tax rebate when purchased.<ref>http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-In-Electric-Vehicle-Credit-(IRC-30-and-IRC-30D)</ref> One study claims that the car costs taxpayers the equivalent of $250,000 per vehicle.<ref>"[http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/sectors/item/4387-each-chevy-volt-costs-taxpayers-$250000 Each Chevy Volt Costs Taxpayers $250,000]", ''New American'', 22 December 2011</ref>

The '''Chevy Volt''' is a hybrid car produced by [[GM]]. Unlike the Prius it uses lithium-ion batteries and can run on only the electric motor for an extended period.<ref>"[http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/specs/trims.html 2014 Volt Models & Specs]"</ref> The 149 HP electric motor can propel the vehicle to 101&nbsp;mph and after the 16 kWh battery is depleted the gasoline engine switches on to provide energy for the motor and can couple itself to the wheels directly when above 70&nbsp;mph.<ref>"[http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2011_chevrolet_volt_test/ First Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt]", ''Motor Trend'', Dec. 2010.</ref> The Volt, like any automobile with a 16 kWh battery or larger, is eligible for a $7,500 tax rebate when purchased.<ref>http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-In-Electric-Vehicle-Credit-(IRC-30-and-IRC-30D)</ref> One study claims that the car costs taxpayers the equivalent of $250,000 per vehicle.<ref>"[http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/sectors/item/4387-each-chevy-volt-costs-taxpayers-$250000 Each Chevy Volt Costs Taxpayers $250,000]", ''New American'', 22 December 2011</ref>

== Ownership Satisfaction==

== Ownership Satisfaction==

From a list of the top best-selling vehicles sold during the 2012 model year, the Volt was ranked 133 out of 262.<ref>http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/09/august-2012-ytd-all-vehicle-rankings.html</ref> GM says the Volt is a niche car but will serve as a technological test bed for future advanced technology.<ref>http://gm-volt.com/2014/01/17/what-is-gm-doing-about-automotive-electrification/</ref>

From a list of the top best-selling vehicles sold during the 2012 model year, the Volt was ranked 133 out of 262.<ref>http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/09/august-2012-ytd-all-vehicle-rankings.html</ref> GM says the Volt is a niche car but will serve as a technological test bed for future advanced technology.<ref>http://gm-volt.com/2014/01/17/what-is-gm-doing-about-automotive-electrification/</ref>

While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles. Of the 15 million cars sold in 2012, only 100,000 were electric. A grand total of just one tenth of one percent of all cars. <ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/19/autos/electric-car/ Year of the electric car blows a fuse, CNN Money, October 19, 2012]</ref> For environmentalists, electric automobiles appear to be the car of choice. In reality, it's not a game changer for the environment as liberals would have you believe.<ref>"[http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/why-more-electric-cars-wont-impact-us-air-pollution/ Why more electric cars won't save the world from climate change]," SmartPlanet.com, January 23, 2014</ref> A reliance on electric automobiles, electricity commonly generated by coal power,<ref>[http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/how-coal-used-power-cars How is coal used to power cars?], Discovery.com</ref> does not offset emissions. Even if half the auto market was comprised of electric vehicles, emissions would not be affected.<ref>"[http://www.science20.com/news_articles/mass_acceptance_electric_cars_would_have_little_impact_us_emissions-128117 Mass Acceptance Of Electric Cars Would Have Little Impact On US Emissions]", Science20.com, January 21st 2014</ref>

While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles. Of the 15 million cars sold in 2012, only 100,000 were electric. A grand total of just one tenth of one percent of all cars.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/19/autos/electric-car/ Year of the electric car blows a fuse, CNN Money, October 19, 2012]</ref> For environmentalists, electric automobiles appear to be the car of choice. In reality, it's not a game changer for the environment as liberals would have you believe.<ref>"[http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/why-more-electric-cars-wont-impact-us-air-pollution/ Why more electric cars won't save the world from climate change]," SmartPlanet.com, January 23, 2014</ref> A reliance on electric automobiles, electricity commonly generated by coal power,<ref>[http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/how-coal-used-power-cars How is coal used to power cars?], Discovery.com</ref> does not offset emissions. Even if half the auto market was comprised of electric vehicles, emissions would not be affected.<ref>"[http://www.science20.com/news_articles/mass_acceptance_electric_cars_would_have_little_impact_us_emissions-128117 Mass Acceptance Of Electric Cars Would Have Little Impact On US Emissions]", Science20.com, January 21st 2014</ref>

==Sales==

==Sales==

==Mechanical Issues==

==Mechanical Issues==

Batteries on several Chevrolet Volt cars caught fire. A coolant leak was the reason given by GM. <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204336104577092292258380790 Probe of GM's Volt Fires May Be Lengthy, WSJ.com, December 12, 2011]</ref>.

Batteries on several Chevrolet Volt cars caught fire. A coolant leak was the reason given by GM.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204336104577092292258380790 Probe of GM's Volt Fires May Be Lengthy, WSJ.com, December 12, 2011]</ref>

Battery degradation is seriously flawed, dropping as much as 57% in very cold weather and by 33% in extreme heat. This affects all electric vehicles, not just the Volt. <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/20/cold-sharply-cuts-range-of-electric-vehicles/6622979/ AAA: Range of electric cars cut in cold, hot weather, USAToday, March 20, 2014]</ref>

Battery degradation is seriously flawed, dropping as much as 57% in very cold weather and by 33% in extreme heat. This affects all electric vehicles, not just the Volt.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/20/cold-sharply-cuts-range-of-electric-vehicles/6622979/ AAA: Range of electric cars cut in cold, hot weather, USAToday, March 20, 2014]</ref>

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

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[[Category: Cars]]

[[Category:Cars]]