Why the Chevy Volt Must Succeed

The Chevrolet Volt, unveiled by General Motors on September 16^th, could be the future of automobiles. The Volt, scheduled for release to the public at the end of 2010, will be capable of driving up to 40 miles without using a single drop of gas. At that point, a small gasoline engine will kick in, allowing the driver to travel another several hundred miles before having to recharge or refill.

The Volt has to be a success - America needs it to be. In today's environment of harmful greenhouse emissions, skyrocketing gas prices, and economic dependence on foreign oil, we need something to break the cycle. The Volt, and other cars like it, could be that key. Below are four reasons why it is important for the Chevy Volt and other electric cars to succeed.

The environment

Anyone who has spent time in Los Angeles should be able to attest to the fact that vehicle emissions are contributing to the pollution of our air. Smog and haze are clogging peoples' lungs and obscuring beautiful night skies all over the country and the world. The carbon monoxide and other gasses emitted by our beloved Hummers and SUVs are polluting our environment at an alarming rate and there is little end in sight. Electric cars, though, produce no emissions and offer very few drawbacks. Aside from a higher initial cost and the inconvenience of having to recharge the lithium-ion battery, the Volt is an attractive, sporty, powerful sedan. The only difference is that it will save you countless dollars at the tank while saving the environment at the same time.

The effect on the demand for oil

Another benefit to widespread adoption of electronic vehicles like the Chevy Volt is that it would actually serve to lower gas prices. As we all learned in Economics 101, price is a function of supply and demand. If you hold supply at a steady level and lower demand, there will be an associated decrease in price. If the Volt is successfully marketed and priced, it should be an attractive option for a lot of consumers. And as people buy the Volt and other cars that rely on alternative means for locomotion, the demand for gasoline will go down. So, in effect, the people who buy the Volt won't just be helping themselves, they'll be helping the entire country by lowering gas prices for those who continue driving gasoline powered cars.

Pressure on other manufacturers

In addition to the first two points, the success of the Volt - assuming it will be successful - will spur other car manufacturers to follow suit. If GM has a successful electric car on the market, Toyota, Ford, Honda, and others will surely be close behind them with their own electric offerings. This snowball effect will spell nothing but positive things for the environment. The influx of new cars being purchased and the spending done by car companies to provide enough vehicles to meet demand should also be a boon for the economy.

Freedom from dependence on foreign oil

One final benefit to the Chevy Volt being introduced to the world is that the associated decrease in demand for gasoline will lessen our dependence on foreign oil. The United States of America has always purchased an overwhelming majority of its petroleum from the Middle East, with smaller portions coming from South America and other locations. This economic tie to countries whose political and ideological stances are in such stark contrast to those of our own has always been an odd situation. Being at the mercy of the Middle East for our oil requirements has left the United States in a weak position of sorts and exposes the country to instability and wildly fluctuating prices. To be able to transition to electric cars in a fast and relatively painless manner would be a freeing thing, both politically and economically.

The Chevy Volt is still around two years away from arriving on showroom floors. A lot can change during that time, both in the economy and from a technology point of view. But, as things stand now, the Volt is an immensely important car. Its success will help bring about change in the environment, in automakers' product offerings, in economics, and in politics. Surely there will be people standing in its way. The large oil companies, special interest groups, and other auto manufacturers who are not yet equipped to compete in the electric car arena will try to delay or completely stop the Volt from coming to market. It is essential to the collective health of the nation that this does not happen. So keep your eyes open for news about the Volt. Wish GM success in this endeavor and support it in whatever way you can because in the end, whether you wind up owning the Volt or not, it may change your life for the better.