Chevy Volt vs. Nissan Leaf - Plug-In Hybrid vs. Pure Electric Vehicle

As most know by now, automotive technology is changing. Hybrid vehicles have appeared as well as plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen, and vehicles powered by electricity. These new technology vehicles are beginning to appear on the streets and several automakers will present additional advanced technology vehicles in the coming years.

The focus of most of the advanced technology vehicles is to find a way to either increase fuel efficiency or eliminate the need for gasoline in future automobiles. Their are several types of advanced technology vehicles such as those listed above. Each type has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some automakers support one technology such as plug in hybrid technology yet believe other technologies such a pure electric vehicles are prone for failure. each automaker appears to have their own take on the matter of advanced technology vehicles and they all present different options.

Right now, both GM and Nissan are nearing the launch dates of their newest advanced technology vehicles. GM has chosen the plug-in hybrid route with the upcoming Chevy Volt and Nissan has chosen the pure battery electric route with their upcoming Nissan Leaf. Which vehicle is a better option remains to be seen, but each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages which will be detailed below. By discovering what each technology is capable of, future car buyers can make an informed choice and select the vehicle that suits their needs.

Starting with the Chevy Volt. The Volt is a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It utilizes a battery pack and a gasoline driven generator. The battery pack and electric motors provides motivation to the vehicle while the generator serves the purpose of sustaining the battery charge while in motion.

The Volt has a few distinct advantages. It can capably travel several hundred miles on a single charge. You will not run out of battery power while driving on the road. It doesn't need a recharge to continue driving and can operate with partially depleted batteries for an extended period of time.

However, the Volt setup does have disadvantages. It still relies on gasoline to move beyond the 40 mile range that the battery pack provides. It's a complex power train setup that is costly to make and when the batteries become depleted, performance drops off sharply under the generator charge sustain mode.

The Nissan Leaf EV has only one disadvantage and it is shared by all electric cars. Its range is limited to just 100 miles before requiring a recharge which require the vehicle to be plugged into an electrical outlet for up to 8 hours.

The Leaf has numerous advantages. It's completely free of gasoline. Not one drop used. Its power train is simple with very few moving parts which lead to a lower cost and less maintenance. It operates silently and swiftly all of the time. Finally, electricity needed to charge the vehicle is much cheaper than gasoline.

Both vehicles have advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right option for you may be difficult. Both the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf will go on sale this fall and buyers will certainly make decisions between the two vehicles. Which one is better? That's for you to decide.