AndyH said:I cannot acknowledge that your scenario is way more common because in my experience it's not.
How so? Are you claiming that long commutes of the 100+ mile variety you wanted me to calculate are more common than commutes < 40 miles? It's very easy to search for statistics on the internet and see that this is not at all a close call.
The following data is a bit old, 2003, but the country hasn't changed that drastically:
http://www.bts.gov/publications/omnistats/volume_03_issue_04/html/figure_02.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
78% have < 20 mile one-way commutes. Only 8% have the > 35 mile one-way, > 70 mile round trip commutes you are implying are common.
As for biodiesel, not everyone agrees that biofuels have a beneficial total net effect on GHG emissions ( http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/science/earth/08wbiofuels.html?pagewanted=all" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ), I don't wish to debate this as I haven't read extensively enough on the subject to form a well-informed opinion on the matter. I'd rather stick to (Volt) vs. (LEAF + gas ICE). Besides biodiesel compatible cars and fuel aren't as readily available in many locations.
I'm doing no such thing. The Volt is not right for all situations, I'm just suggesting it's a good solution for some common situations, and can reduce gasoline use just as much, or even more, than a Leaf, with some driving patterns. When pure EVs reach the right combo of range/price/public infrastructure to make them practical for my driving patterns, I will also switch. But I am not willing to make the sacrifice of having to make my long trips from one charging station to another and waiting extra hours to resume my journey, and neither are a lot of other people, way more people than you EV 100% ultra-purists. You are pushing a solution (if saying zero ICE usage) that only a small % of people are willing to adopt. Even among Leaf owners, what % do you think have an additional ICE vehicle, or will at least occasionally rent one?It simply seems to me that some are going out of their way to present the Volt in as perfect light as possible while also suggesting that others that value a pure EV are somehow deficient in brain matter.
I am only pushing the Volt as equal/better to the Leaf for some situations, not all. For people who have shorter commutes, who want and are willing to use ICE for longer trips, and don't already have a more efficient vehicle to use for such trips. Those who have longer commutes in the Leaf range, by all means get a Leaf. Those who have an absolutist position against the use of any gasoline at all, by all means get a Leaf or other pure BEV. I think more people are in my camp, than you will ever be able to get to join yours, in the near future. Some years from now, when ranges get larger for the current price or even lower, then ditching ICE completely gets feasible for more people.