Personal Opinion

After doing the research about the Volt and learning more about its specification, I had to take a golden opportunity by giving it a test drive myself.  When I approached the Volt, the first thing that caught my attention was its aerodynamic design.  From the front bumper to the rear bumper, the Chevy volt looked like a modern vehicle with some beautiful features. After I opened the door, the Volt was equipped with perfectly tailored leather seats, a sleek dashboard that displayed the vehicle's electrical capacity and speed.  The center counsel was equipped with a touch screen navigation.  The commands for the radio and climate control were all touch sensitive that smoothly respond to the driver's commands.  An extremely silent electric generator that is seamless and impossible to be heard due to the precise engineering.  When I engaged the transmission and pushed on the accelerator pedal, the car moved and picked up speed faster than a normal gasoline powered vehicle.  I was amazed by the capabilities of this vehicle and felt as if regardless how much someone can explain this car, it is a whole new experience to test it and drive it yourself.

The Test

General Motors Corp.

Volt is a unique vehicle and most likely it will get criticized when it's launched.  In order for this new innovation to be successful, regardless of all its flattering gadgets, GM is allowing real people rather than experts test drive the Volt.  Fifteen people were handpicked to test drive the Volt and provide feedback and recommendation to the company.  Those people were handpicked based on their location and and knowledge about cars.  

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director said: “We are eager to learn as much as we can from potential customers about their experience with the Volt.”  A common person's perspective about a product could be different for one whose engineering and considering all the safety precautions.  Therefore, the participants will provide assistance in things like comfort zones, performance, and convenience.  

Let's Plug It In

http://www.chevrolet.com/volt

0-60 miles in approximately 8.5 seconds while getting 230 miles per gallon.  Looking at those specifications, I thought to myself, impossible.  As an automotive technician in the service department, I found interest in learning more about what kind of a vehicle has such capabilities.  After finding out it was the Chevy Volt, I was still not convinced that an electric car could be similar or even better than an ordinary gasoline car.  Researching more about the Volt, I became more knowledgeable about its innovative specifications, well-engineered components, and electrical advantages.

Due to rising gas prices, General Motors created a vehicle that uses electric power to generate its engine.  The Volt's engine has the capability to alternate to gasoline-mode upon the driver's request.  However, as most of its customers are interested in the electric mode, the Volt will get approximately 40 miles on a single charge.  A typical house that is equipped with 120-volt line can charge up the volt in 8 hours, while 240-volt outlets can cut the charging time in half.  The precisely engineered components in the Volt will enable it to achieve such phenomenal data.

The Volt is equipped with two LCD screens that display information for the driver.  The main screen displays information such as speed, charge capacity and range.  On the other hand, the touch-sensitive screen located in the center console can help the driver utilize some of the Volt's features such as navigation, climate controls and charging schedules.  The eye-catching aerodynamic design will assist the Volt in achieving its maximum potential with respect to miles per charge.

Electricity is domestically produced and inexpensive, and according to Chevy.com, "Electricity is cleaner source of power."  All of the houses in the United States are built with 120-volt and 240-volt supply lines, providing the customer with the convenient option on which supply strength they prefer.  With all the advantages of the electric car, the Volt only consumes $1.50 per day where an average gasoline vehicle consumes approximately $6.67 dollars per day.