RB: Those dealers will be bad choices while Volts require frequent factory software updates.

I never have to take my PC to Microsoft for updates Over-the-air updates are not only possible, but probable.

All this video is trying to do is convert potential BEV buyers to EREV. But that doesn’t really accomplish anything as the market for both BEVs and EREVs currently is really limited. GM is just cannibalizing the market for EVs in general (maybe even shrinking it by spreading the range anxiety FUD, which is counter productive to plug-in expansion goals). But the Volt has what it takes for mass market appeal (pricing aside), so it should really try to convert normal car buyers rather than trying to convince people BEVs don’t work.

There’s a good chunk of people who won’t even consider any kind of plug-in; that’s who GM should be more heavily targeting if they want the Volt to be a sales success, not just the limited early adopter niche who is already considering a plug-in.

*To be clear on my use of the term “religion hijackers” I am referring to people who use Islam for evil. The true believers/followers are just as threatened from the evil idiots as anyone else.

DaV8or: This goofy little video comes off contradictory and over simplified. First is says that electric vehicles are cool because the use home grown electric power for greater energy independence and lower emissions. That sounds really great. Then they demonstrate how the Volt, when it’s battery runs low, a range extending generator “kicks in” allowing the Volt to run circles around the EV (Why they picked a VW Bug to depict an EV is beyond me).Problem is, everybody knows that a generator runs on gas made from foreign oil and spews emissions out of the tail pipe. This might leave the viewer with an understanding of why an EREV is superior to an EV, but not how it is any different than a hybrid like the Prius. When they do check a little closer, they’re going to find that the Volt will cost almost double what the Prius will cost. The case for buying a Volt over a EV is made clear, but not why the Volt is superior to a conventional hybrid. IMO, GM needs Prius conquest sales, not LEAF or iMiev conquests. I think this video misses the point of the Volt and that combined with poor production value and sloppy execution, makes for a lame and ineffective ad campaign.  

Ariel Atom: Tesla Roadster – King of the Rocky Mountains
Chevy Volt – Queen of the Smokey Mountains*

I have a friend that did a full border to border bicycle ride from Canada to Mexico over the ridge of the rockies and then the equivalent in the Appalachians. The Appalachians are more of a challenge for this simple reason: the roads are much older, designed when it was too hard to cut through the mountains. The grades are much steeper in the appalachians, 18% in a few places, especially Pennsylvania (gee do you suppose that is a coincidence that that is where the Volts did their shakedown trip).