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This is all true, but unfortunately the amount of money spent on gasoline over the lifetime of a normal car doesn't approach the price premium of the Volt unles

by lutorm 16y ago

This is all true, but unfortunately the amount of money spent on gasoline over the lifetime of a normal car doesn't approach the price premium of the Volt unless there is a phenomenal skyrocketing of gas prices.

angstrom 16y ago
Or we shift our oil subsidies to another energy source like solar/wind to supply the electric. We're already paying high gas prices, consumers just don't see it at the pump. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Government can play a big role in setting the stage for infrastructure by changing the rules when the time is right.
MikeCapone 16y ago
Indeed. But does it have to pay for itself? Nobody buys a car that is above the cheapest model expecting it to pay for itself. A sunroof or bigger engine will never pay for itself, and is usually bought to get some other benefit (sometimes mostly in the mind of the buyer). The same can happen with early PHEVs and EVs. By the time all the early adopters who buy them for the technology or environmental benefits have one, the technology should have improved and price lowered enough so that the cars will be attractive to a larger group.
- anamax 16y ago
  > But does it have to pay for itself? Nobody buys a car that is above the cheapest model expecting it to pay for itself. A sunroof or bigger engine will never pay for itself, and is usually bought to get some other benefit (sometimes mostly in the mind of the buyer). Bingo. So, what is Volt's corresponding benefit, how much does it cost, and how many people are willing to pay that much for that benefit? > By the time all the early adopters who buy them for the technology or environmental benefits have one, the technology should have improved "should"? If Volt doesn't recover its development costs, how is GM going to pay for improving the technology?
coreymull 16y ago
Sounds like your beef isn't with the car, but with policymakers who are too cowardly to put a price on carbon emissions. Incorporating externalities, I think the cost-benefit analysis of the Volt becomes much more balanced.
teamonkey 16y ago
...Or if sold anywhere but the US.

by lutorm 16y ago

angstrom 16y ago

Or we shift our oil subsidies to another energy source like solar/wind to supply the electric. We're already paying high gas prices, consumers just don't see it at the pump. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Government can play a big role in setting the stage for infrastructure by changing the rules when the time is right.

MikeCapone 16y ago

Indeed. But does it have to pay for itself? Nobody buys a car that is above the cheapest model expecting it to pay for itself. A sunroof or bigger engine will never pay for itself, and is usually bought to get some other benefit (sometimes mostly in the mind of the buyer). The same can happen with early PHEVs and EVs. By the time all the early adopters who buy them for the technology or environmental benefits have one, the technology should have improved and price lowered enough so that the cars will be attractive to a larger group.

anamax 16y ago
> But does it have to pay for itself? Nobody buys a car that is above the cheapest model expecting it to pay for itself. A sunroof or bigger engine will never pay for itself, and is usually bought to get some other benefit (sometimes mostly in the mind of the buyer). Bingo. So, what is Volt's corresponding benefit, how much does it cost, and how many people are willing to pay that much for that benefit? > By the time all the early adopters who buy them for the technology or environmental benefits have one, the technology should have improved "should"? If Volt doesn't recover its development costs, how is GM going to pay for improving the technology?

coreymull 16y ago

Sounds like your beef isn't with the car, but with policymakers who are too cowardly to put a price on carbon emissions. Incorporating externalities, I think the cost-benefit analysis of the Volt becomes much more balanced.

teamonkey 16y ago

...Or if sold anywhere but the US.