Chevrolet and Cadillac Converj

Many have seen the commercials and spy photos and auto show video of the new Chevy Volt. The Volt is GM's new plug-in hybrid and is slated to be built by the end of calendar year 2010. This new car is able to drive up to 40 miles on battery power alone without the assistance of a gas motor. Even when you need the small gas powered generator to boost your range (up to about 300 miles) that generator will charge the battery and not directly power the wheels.

Pre-Production Chevrolet Volt

There are several benefits of a plug in hybrid such as the Volt not the least of which are:

• Cost of around 2 cents per mile compared with internal combustion motors that cost between 7 and 13 cents per mile.

• 100+ MPG fuel economy

• 75% of Americans have a daily commute of less than 40 miles. This means most drivers can run exclusively on electric power most of the time.

• GM is years ahead of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, and the rest with this technology. Though GM was late to the party with gas / electric hybrids they will be at the fore with plug ins.

• Finally, GM intends to build the volt and the battery systems in Michigan. LG will be the battery cell provider for the initial production Volt.

• You can plug your Volt in at home in your garage - no need for a special fueling station.

GM just announced that Cadillac will be releasing a model with the 'guts' of a Volt but with a more beautiful body. Behold the Cadillac Converj:

I think there are a lot of people out there that would agree with me in that I wish these vehicles were coming sooner. The great news is they will allow for more jobs here in the US and expand the "Green Collar" jobs that President Obama has been promoting during his campaign.

The near future might not be flying cars but if we can work to save our planet - I'll take it!