I've driven the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and I have to be honest, it's nothing like the Nissan Leaf. If both cars were powered by a gasoline engine only, no one would compare them. But because they're both electric cars and are coming out at the same time, many people have made the leap that they must be similar. Both the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster are electric powered but no one is comparing those cars.
Here's a few quick facts on the Volt: It's gas engine never drives the wheels, the gas engine only makes electricity and electricity is all that ever powers the Volt. The Volt is front wheel drive. The Volt is $41,000 but the car does have a decidedly premium feel inside and out compared to, say a Chevy malibu.
The retail price is $41,000 - some people will qualify for an IRS tax credit - not cash back.
The Volt will not qualify for HOV status in Calif.
Some dealers have already said they will mark the car up $5,000.
The Chevrolet Volt is built in the US, including most of the battery pack.
Chevrolet will warranty the batteries for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Not all Chevy dealers will sell the Volt - high demand areas like California will get the cars first.
And the Volt may be hard to find at any price - only six states will get the car at first, they include California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Plus, Chevrolet plans to build just 10,000 Volts for the 2011 model year.
-Brian Moody for Car Concerns Radio
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