The Volt is not just an electric car. It's a true hybrid, with an onboard fuel-fed generator to charge up the battery on long trips. Estimated range in this mode is over 600 miles. The car should get about 50 mpg in this mode. Of course, the first 40 miles is "free."

But for an average townie like me and MANY others, who make a lot of short trips and a few long ones, average mileage over time would be a lot higher than 50 mpg.

If they work it right, the fuel-burning generator will be designed to burn a wide variety of fuels.

I'm very enthusiastic about this concept. We need to start building power plants TODAY.