The hybrid was a great improvement over the internal gas engine cars and the Prius is the best of the best. In the past I have owned two electric cars and because my first degree is a BS in electrical engineering (electronics), I see the value of the electric car. It is much simpler so there is much less to go wrong with them. The main limitation is with the batteries which limits the distance traveled. It is, in my opinion, the next step.
The hybrid was a great improvement over the internal gas engine cars and the Prius is the best of the best. In the past I have owned two electric cars and because my first degree is a BS in electrical engineering (electronics), I see the value of the electric car. It is much simpler so there is much less to go wrong with them. The main limitation is with the batteries which limits the distance traveled. It is, in my opinion, the next step.
Now for the Volt. Back in the early 70's I came up with an idea. Build an electric car and have a small trailer with a generator on it. So when you want to travel a long distance you just hook the trailer up and you can travel across country with just filling up with gas on the trailer. This way you have the best of both vehicles. You have a pure plug in electric car to drive around the area. You also can drive anywhere in the country. The Volt places a gas generator on board the car instead of on a trailer. The major disadvantage with this concept is that you drag that extra weight even when you drive around town.
I love all three concepts but what one do I think is best? I think that the Leaf is the best as long as a trailer with a gas generator is built to charge the batteries on a long trip. As soon as the Nissan dealership and the Chevy dealerships here in Midland, Texas gets the cars, I intend to take test drives. I can then comment even more on the two cars.
Insert date: 2011-06-19 Last update: 2016-02-11
