George,
You make valid points. Yes - the Volt is a hybrid. Yes, some will be able to use the range the Volt provides more often than others. Yes - the Leaf's 100 mile max range will not provide 100% of everyone's transportation needs.
Now for some 'buts'. There's nothing wrong with current battery tech and current tech absolutely can be used to provide more than 200 or 300 miles of pure EV range...at a price. And yes - a more diverse EVSE/charger deployment would help those that desire longer distance travel in EVs.
But...(gack...another but...) It's important to keep in mind that the Leaf is not designed for long-distance travel. It won't tow a boat or snomobile or ATV. It's not the best choice for a lawn service and their equipment transport needs. And Wal-Mart won't be using the Leaf anytime soon to haul Chinese electronics from one warehouse to another.
So - while you enjoy your Volt and wait for your Leaf, please don't try to lump all the pure-EV opinions or feelings into one group. - Some have already enjoyed pure EV 'quality time' and have vowed never to go back. You'll not be able to promote the Volt those of us in this group.
- Some have not yet experienced pure-EV life, but have decided to cross over from the dark side (go easy - tongue in cheek here!). Those of us already over the fence will not be tempted back with your Volt love.
- Some are on the fence and could go with either a hybrid, a PHEV, or an EV. I'll suggest those that are here are interested in the Leaf, which represents the EV part of their research. They'll also spend time on Prius sites and Volt sites for those parts of their research. So - you're not likely to find much 'Volt love' here even from those folks as they're not here to talk about the Volt.
As to what I consider to be the root of anti-Volt sentiment - and this is only guaranteed to apply to me - GM shot themselves in the foot when they recalled and crushed the EV1. They shot themselves in the foot with dealers when they cancelled dealer agreements when they were heading for bankruptcy. They shot themselves in the foot when they got financial support from the German government to save their Opel subsidiary and then backed out of the deal. They shot themselves in the foot when they trade-marked "range anxiety." They shot themselves in the foot when they swore up and down that the Volt was an electric car that just happened to have a generator to charge the battery when necessary. Then there's the small factors of a 4-seat hybrid that gets significantly worse fuel economy than the Prius and its 5-seat capability. And that price thing.
I guess if nothing else, positively identify your target before throwing that rock.
And if it keeps welts off one of the MyNissanLeafers in one of the 'subgroups' I've listed above, feel free to target me. :lol:
Andy
I'm an EV...and I'm not going back.