Would you consider purchasing a Chevy Volt when it becomes available in the 2011 model year?

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Scotty Doe

This is an all-electric car with a range of 40 miles-per-charge, and for longer trips, a small internal combustion engine recharges the batteries as you drive.

Answer
Personally, I'm not sure I want to do business with GM ever again. The way they treated the people that were willing to put up with GM's B.S. just leasing the EV1. Then how they were treated when GM decided to terminate the "experiment" leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And then, to add insult to injury, billing the leasees hundreds of dollars for every ding and scratch in the paint on a car whos next stop is a car crusher. How do I know they wont come and take the car back after 3 years?

Compared to the EV1 the Volt is a not so great electric car. The 1999 EV1 got 140 miles per charge while the 2011 Volt only gets 40, what's up with that poor number? If you can design a car that got 140 miles why bother building one that gets only 40? The Volt is the electric car that the oil companies want. It has low range and has a gasoline engine, which means GM's good buddy Chevron still makes money.

There are going to be better performing cars on the market in 2011 like the Tesla Model S and the Miles XS500. Not to mention if ZENN gets its EESTOR powered 200 mile electric car working as promised.

When will a major car maker sell a lithium battery plug-in car in the USA?

violinner

When will a major car manufacturer sell a lithium-battery based, reasonable range on a charge, pluggable 4-seat car in the USA, at a price comparable to a solely gas-powered 4-seat sedan? I recently went to Florence, and was "green" with envy seeing all the electric cars plugged into the parking meters. Why should they get all the fun?

Answer
I think they will probably go on sale in the US in 2010 or 2011. Lithium batteries are hideously expensive at the moment. I got some quotes on a lithium battery pack for my electric Tracker earlier this year, and the best price I could find was $20,000! That was a bit much for batteries.
I am hoping that EEStor is able to bring their battery solution to market soon. They intend to make and sell a 400-lb battery with about 50 kilowatt-hours of capacity for less than $4000. By contrast, I am using Deka gel-cell batteries, and they weigh 1100 pounds and only have about 20 kilowatt-hours of capacity, and cost $3100. (They were a poor choice, it turned out.)

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How do people manage to pay for everything?

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doubted101

I'm 19, a student at BSU, and I don't come from money at all... everything that I own personally can fit in the cab of my gma's s10 pickup, and my mom has little more than I do. I'm just curious how people manage to pay for everything in their life... college, marriage, food, home(mortgage or rent), cars, gas, car insurance, health insurance, kids, phones, clothes, children's health insurance, electric.... it just seems like so much.

Answer
Its why our economy runs on debt. When I first started out in college everything I owned could fit into my vehicle too. I lived inside my car for a little while trying to make everything work. My family struggles just to pay some basic stuff and they discouraged me from going to college because of that financial burden I would be taking on. It is a burden sometimes. But worth it. I had to give up some of the essentials that are considered a luxury on my budget.

I havent gone to the doctor or dentist in way too long. Sometimes I get to a clinic when I get really bad. I gave up my car and ride public transportation. I have taken out loans and applied for many scholarships (and get rejected as well). Ive worked two jobs before. Lived in a two bedroom apartment with six people and ate Ramen noodle. I went part-time in college taking a few credits here and there while I worked full-time. It is taking me six years to do what peers did in four. But, Im doing it on my own the best I can with the resources I have.

I saved and worked. Finally at 24 got some extra help from financial aid now that Im considered "independent". I have a nice place now thats small but a good fit for me. Its strange to have real furniture but its a result of spending so much time working. Still dont have a car or insurance but slowly Im getting there.

Take heart that most people need help. They will get it from family if they can. Otherwise I suggest going to church to get help with food boxes now and then and remain humble. Its hard to see others "live it up" when you struggle but you can only focus on what you have.

Is it safe to drive 19 hours to Florida?

Juiceman

We are going on a last minute vacation so we are driving and I'm taking my wife and kids on a long road trip. Is it safe and any advice?

Answer
children are only the horror their parents make them into. for the 16th time in my 8yr old's life, we are about to embark on a 20 hour train ride to moscow, a flight to houston, then a 3 hr drive home. for my son, it is simply life. he will climb the deays like a monkey in the train, sit like a gentleman in the plane and dern-well would drive the rented car if i let him. sensibly. so if you know your children, that should be no problem. speak calmly to your children as you have always done. tell them how beautiful thw USA is and they can SEE it as they drive. INTERACT with them- ask them to look for something unusual (i used to notice some electric transmission towers were ballerina style, standing on a single toe rather than the linebackers we had near home, broad, stocky-legged and tall. also, highways and trains run parallel some places. find on your maps (sorry, i still use real maps and assume EVERYBODY has a map) which stretches have railroads and announce to the troops to be on the lookout for trains. if your children like trains... TRY to unplug the evectronics (ganes, dvds, notebooks, ipadpodphone) and engsge each other. don't go to war over it! if gaming is life, let 'em live. try to find towns and cities with interesting things for you AND the children. i suppose each has a digital camera. like paris, texas has an eiffel tower with a cowboy hat on top!
safe- of course, drive 5 mph under the limit, you are not running a railroad (plagarism- no source quoted!!) you are on vacation. have required child seats and boosters WEAR SEAT BELTS (AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE LITTLE ONES) everyone will want a restroom break, expect to stop endlessly. pepsi break, water break- keep drinks in the cabin to let everyone drink. dehydration can cause headaches9 not good on a trip.
ASK everyone what they would like to see. google for places and try to fit in stops in several places.ENJOY the trip. when stopping, if in a safe place, toss a frisbee or football, etc. some small towns have municipal parks ideally located a block or two from the highway.

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