From just about every angle, the revolutionary Volt is extremely appealing.  Criticism has been few and far between as the world awaits the reality of the electric car, debuting in 2010.  The Chevy Volt is “designed to move more than 75 percent of America’s daily commuters without a single drop of gas.  That means for someone who drives less than 40 miles a day, Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions,” according to Chevrolet’s website. This, of course, only applies if the battery is fully charged and if you, like apparently 75 percent of Americans, live 20 miles from your workplace.

This series hybrid feeds electric power straight to the motor, bypassing the battery for a direct effect.  The propulsion system is unlike anything ever seen before by the public, utilizing a lithium-iron battery with a gasoline-powered and range-extending engine that powers a generator to give the vehicle its electric “volt” when you surpass that 40-mile range of the fully charged battery, giving you at least 600 more miles of travel. You can even plug it into a household electrical socket and have a full charge in 6 hours.

A beautiful car to behold in its technology and style, the Chevy Volt aims to cut out our dependence on earth’s resources to provide fuel for our gas-guzzlers.  That being said, GM has admitted that to eliminate this dependence completely, they need between 3 to 5 years more to work on battery technology.  Currently, the nickel battery that would resolve this consumer conflict is too heavy to be realistic on such a vehicle.

For now, there is the dream and soon possible reality of the Chevy Volt for those wishing to drive a clean hybrid.  GM started test-driving the Volt last a week ago, two weeks ahead of schedule, followed by a second test drive last Wednesday.  Backed by the Obama administration, GM and their Volt hope to get a handle on the tailspin of their bankruptcy by leapfrogging Toyota.

Social Yell will also provide an open forum and debate covering the Chevy Volt.  Have your own opinion?  Start yellin’ today at Social Yell and let us know if you plan to buy a Chevy Volt.

Ashley Strickland is a senior at the University of Georgia. She is a summer intern for SocialYell and blogs about health, social equity, consumer advocacy, charity, sustainability and just about anything green.