Buying your car

Government Motors is soon to release the Chevrolet Volt the first mass produced Hybrid vehicle primarily powered by electricity. This type of drive train is typically referred to as a “plug in” Hybrid. The way that it works is that on a full charge the car can travel up to forty miles. That “up to” being quite the caveat as it is determinant on weather, traffic, and the driver’s right foot amongst others. After this “up to” forty miles has been exhausted there is a small four cylinder internal combustion fossil fuel oil derived gasoline engine that works as a generator to propel the car another 300 miles.

The big announcement today was the pricing, at 41,000 dollars which appears steep for a car that cannot be described as large, fast, comfortable, luxurious or competitive amenity wise with the Volt’s price peers. But wait, there’s more:

applying the U.S. federal tax credit will whittle $7500 from the purchase price

Which means that after taking into consideration a U.S. federal tax credit, the Volt’s price is reduced to 33,500 dollars. Huzzah. But wait, there’s even more:

The first buyers of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability will be eligible for one of 4,400 free home charging stations. The program will provide Volt owners with a 240-volt charge station from either ECOtality, Inc. or Coulomb Technologies. In many cases, it will include the cost of home installation. The projects are made possible with a grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)…."For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000."

What does it all mean? It means that every single Chevy Volt buyer will get to dip into the pockets of their fellow taxpaying citizens to the tune of seven thousand, five hundred dollars and if they are among the first 4,400 they get to help themselves to another one to two thousand more. You’re welcome leeches.

This is a testament to both government waste and the lack of market viability for this kind of vehicle. I don’t care one way or another in regard to anyone’s choice of vehicle but I certainly will never believe that it is acceptable for anyone to dip into my pocket to help with that purchase. It is my money that is being thrown at immature technology that is supposedly environmentally friendly but in reality is just a political control measure intended to put people into the vehicles preferred by certain constituents that otherwise would be unfeasible without federal “incentives”.

If the Chevy Volt is the future then sell it without incentives and let it lead us into the “alternative” energy future that features electricity that is produced using such “alternatives” as coal and natural gas. There have been some who chuckle at the high price because the snobs that will buy it can be thought of as rubes for buying at such an untenable price. That’s nonsense as well. If that rube will pay a premium for a hippie status symbol, let them pay 7,500 dollars more and buy their own damn charging station.