[kubel]

-Make it a fun car to drive. I mean, us Americans have to burn something. If not gas, why not rubber? I'm not expecting V8 power, but a light, agile, and speedy feel would be really nice. My dad laughs when I bring up the concept of EVs--- for some reason he can't get a golf cart out of his mind. Prove him and all like him wrong. I don't want to see the first Volt commercial showing a Volt parked in a green field with green trees and clean blue sky. That's a golf-cart's scenery. I want to see the Volt zig-zagging around a test track. Or perhaps flashing between the green scene and track scene, to prove to people that we can have it all- economical, fun, and environmental.

-Full control over the genset, but still allow full automatic operation. There are some times when I may want a certain part of my trip to be gas-powered. Americans just like being in control over their machines.

-110V out plugs. ZAP! Lighting strikes. Power goes out. I want to be able to power my fridge, my TV, whatever... forget about V2G (vehicle to grid) for now, I just want V2H (vehicle to house). It would save us from having to buy an electric generator when we have one sitting on 4 wheels in our garage. And it would make an awesome selling point.

-Even if it would be completely uncomfortable, adding a 5th seat would be beneficial to consumers since many of the current tax incentives toward alternative fuel vehicles are based on passenger capacity. My small Ford Focus can seat "5" passengers (2 front, 3 rear), but in reality, squeezing 3 adults in the back is a joke. Just throw in a seat belt in the middle of the rear bench and call it a 5 seater.

-Don't make this just a PR gimmick. Lobby for tax incentives on behalf of consumers that want to buy a Volt but can't afford it. Exploit the grassroots movement pushing this technology further. Give the option to buy! Show the American people that we still have what it takes to be leaders in technology AND style. Chevy is the peoples brand, not Toyota.

-Eventually, make various packages include different all-electric-ranges, priced accordingly. PHEV-10, PHEV-20, PHEV-40, PHEV-80, etc... PHEV-40 was a good goal, but some people might consider a PHEV-20 if it lowers the cost a little bit.

-Put the Chevy Volt in dealer showrooms across the nation, and let people test drive them! Do like Smart USA did with the Fortwo and have test drive events nationwide. At these events, show people the price difference between gasoline and electricity. You will sell these cars if people test drive them and realize their potential.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

kubel,

A couple of things,

First, the sharp looking, fun to drive car we want is most likely not happening. Sadly, we appear to have lost this battle to those who care about nothing but mpg and mpc. A lot of people here would rather drive something that looks like an electric hairball if it got more miles on a charge.

I can only hope the next models will provide us with the style that many crave. We have to satisfy the lemmings first. Then we will get our PHEV-30, etc... vehicles, and some STYLE.

Second, cost will be high at first, I would imagine. Those who are that sensitive to the costs have many other low cost options, like a 13K, 35mpg Hyundai. Prius is too expensive. At least, if cost is the most important issue, and not who your trying to impress with your "green cred".

In short, GM has an opportunity to really make a bold statement with the Volt. But, I am developing the opinion that you and I will be unfortunately disappointed. I just hope GM can come back strong and quickly with what we are looking for before someone else does. Or else they will lose again.

 

[Cybereye]

I don't want to see the first Volt commercial showing a Volt parked in a green field with green trees and clean blue sky. That's a golf-cart's scenery. I want to see the Volt zig-zagging around a test track. Or perhaps flashing between the green scene and track scene, to prove to people that we can have it all- economical, fun, and environmental.

Ummmm, I like that idea. One golfer told another golfer to hop in my golf-cart(GM volt). As the two golfer put in the golf clubs bag into the trunk to show how much room there is. As the camera slowly zoom out when the two golfer enter the GM Volt. The GM volt start to peal the grass golf court. Then 3 second flashing into showing GM volt driving on the highway.

 

[whats up?]

just a thought

I wish they would add a small solar panel to extend range as an option, like if i drove it to work and it sat there for 8 to 10 hours or went to the mall it would slightly recharge to get a little more out of it. I drive 52 miles to and from work, why not let the sun help out while its just sitting there.

 

[willdryden]

-110V out plugs. ZAP! Lighting strikes. Power goes out. I want to be able to power my fridge, my TV, whatever... forget about V2G (vehicle to grid) for now, I just want V2H (vehicle to house). It would save us from having to buy an electric generator when we have one sitting on 4 wheels in our garage. And it would make an awesome selling point.

-Put the Chevy Volt in dealer showrooms across the nation, and let people test drive them! Do like Smart USA did with the Fortwo and have test drive events nationwide. At these events, show people the price difference between gasoline and electricity. You will sell these cars if people test drive them and realize their potential.

I want a 220V charging option with the same V2H. Forget lightning, we have hurricanes. The power could be down for a week or two. If it used 220V, all you would have to do is turn the main breakers off and push the V2H button and not string extention cords everywhere. Not only that, the 220V A/C and clothes dryer would still work too. In fact, you would have to watch the neighbor's house to see when the power comes back on.

 

[MrBogey]

I've thought about the V2H...but at this point, I'd rather they just stick to fundamentals and expand on it after it hits market.

 

[sxpacks]

YES! I second the rear middle seat. They have rear seats that are useless in the Mini Cooper.

Surely they can add an extra lump of fabric for the rear middle seat

 

[igotzzoom]

I think we may eventually see a 5-seat option as battery technology evolves, and they're able to shrink the overall size of the battery pack. Possibly for the second-generation model. Maybe sooner.

 

[Altazi]

YES! I second the rear middle seat. They have rear seats that are useless in the Mini Cooper.

Surely they can add an extra lump of fabric for the rear middle seat

I am hoping that there will be a crummy seat in between the two "real" rear seats - hoping at least that there will be a third seat-belt back there for the poor schmuck who draws the short straw. It would be too bad if there are truly only four seats.