Last week GM introduced its new extended-range electric car, the
Volt, an impressive response to demand for a more energy-
efficient vehicle. If Volt lives up to GM's promised 230 miles
per gallon, it will indeed help to change the energy landscape
of America. But what are the implications of such a shift? For
illustrative purposes, let's assume Mr. CP Minuteman purchases a
$40,000 Volt just as it rolls off the assembly line in its first
production year, 2010. His old "gas-guzzling" car (which
featured a mere 30 miles per gallon, let's say) is taken off the
road, which means no more visits to the gasoline station to fill
up a 20-gallon tank in order to travel about 600 miles between
fill-ups. Instead, Mr. CP Minuteman will economize by going
electric-only. And he can do that with the Volt as long as his
trips are no more than about 40 miles. After that, a gasoline-
powered generator kicks in, giving him 50 mpg for long enough to
speed him along another 350 miles (assuming the fuel tank has a
7-gallon capacity).