Saving Money Still Expensive

GM announced today that their coming hyper-efficient electric car, the Chevy Volt, will receive a 230 MPG rating for city driving.  This is, of course, little more than a technical glitch as the vehicle is really an electric battery powered vehicle with a gas powered generator to help keep things charged while on longer runs.  But it’s an impressive number no matter how you look at it.

GM is promising 40 miles on a single electric charge at least when the batteries are new.  Then, the on-board generator kicks in to extend the overall range to a very usable 300 miles between fill-ups.  It sounds fantastic!

A shame that such a wonderful machine that could mean so much to so many is slated to base price at $40,000.

“But we’re saving the planet right?”

On some level I guess this is true.  As long as we figure out how to make the necessary batteries in sufficient volumes without poisoning every river and stream in Asia, figure how to transport these heavy batteries from Asia to the United States for assembly, and then figure out what to do with the lethal chemicals inside of them when they eventually fail we might do the planet some net good.  Eventually.

“But think of all the good we’ll do by freeing the United States from foreign oil!”

Bad news there too.  It’s going to take more than a few electric cars to get America off of its 21 million barrel per day oil habit.  Any word if GM is working on replacing those diesel freight trucks clogging our highways with electric engines anytime soon?  How about those jets flying over our heads?  No?  Just checking.

“Okay, but at least Volt drivers will save tons of money on gas prices.”

Yes. 230 MPG certainly will cut your gasoline bills. I’m not sure about your electric bill however.  And just how big was your gas bill this year anyway?  Enough to offset the cost of a $40,000 car versus what you’re already driving?

And there is the biggest problem with this evolving technology. The Volt might help the environment a little bit and it will help us cut our need for foreign oil slightly.  But a base price of $40,000 puts the Volt out of reach of those that it could help the most. If you can afford a $40,000 car how bad are you really getting hurt by an extra $1 per gallon at the pump?  It hurts, but I doubt you’re missing any meals over it.  Ask the guy that cuts your lawn how gas prices are hurting him.  How about your child’s school teacher?  The single mom that just hopes her old car starts in the morning and needs to figure out how to turn her last $20 before payday into a tank of gas and groceries.

Current electric vehicle technology is a step in the right direction of course but we still have a long way to go.

The Chevy Volt.  It will be excellent at one thing.  Easing the environmental guilt of rich folks one charge at a time.

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Cover photo provided by Mike Babcock
Article photo provided by ReneS