Well, the Olympics are over. These were the "green Olympics" apparently; you probably saw Nissan's full-brand ad with the 2011 Leaf being promoted at the end, and the 2011 Chevrolet Volt was in attendance at the games. It looks like Hollywood might just have a new love to replace the blackballed Prius.
To get a prediction on which one's going to be the next eco-greenie darling of celebs everywhere, we have Senior Editor Bryn MacKinnon promoting the virtues of the Volt while Senior Automotive Editor Brent Romans talks up the Leaf. The loser has to buy the winner a tofu wrap for lunch.
Opening Statements
Bryn MacKinnon for the Chevrolet Volt
Shazaam! If there's one thing that professionally famous people love, it's a name that sizzles. And the Chevy Volt definitely delivers on the sizzle. "Volt" says "We're gonna SHOCK you, we're gonna ROCK you, Green Celebrities," and I think our paparazzi-fleein', 24/7 outrageously expensive sunglass-wearin' Americans are going to embrace and air-kiss the Chevrolet Volt like a new friend who can get them into this week's hot club.
But don't be lulled into thinking that celeb Volt love is all about superficialities. Never underestimate the appeal of driving an electric car that's devoid of "range anxiety." The Volt's on-board gasoline engine (which acts solely as a generator to charge the electric motor when it becomes depleted of its 40-mile range and never powers the car itself) means that erratic escapes from camera-wielding stalkers won't ever be cut short by a dead battery pack.
Plus, it's a 'Merican electric car, which is extra-triple self-righteous bonus points. As sure as they'll send their assistants into The Coffee Bean for a non-fat, no-sugar-added blended mocha with whip, they're gonna Volt-up in droves, Brent. And they're gonna park it sideways in the handicap space.
Brent Romans for the Nissan Leaf
Bryn, the all-electric Nissan Leaf is going to be Hollywood's new star for one simple thing: zero emissions. I can picture Tom Hanks appearing on David Letterman's show to promote his next film and end up talking about how his new Nissan Leaf has no tailpipe and therefore no emissions. You go Tom! So what if the all-electric Leaf's tailpipe is actually at whatever power utility provided the juice? This is Hollywood we're talking about! We don't need to dirty ourselves with petty details like that. Quips like "Never need gas for my all-electric Leaf!" and "No emissions -- heck yeah!!!" are perfect for today's celebrity Twitter feeds.
Less sustentative but probably just as important, the Leaf has the cuter name and cuter styling. "Leaf." It just sounds nice and friendly and green, like you're reducing carbon dioxide emissions just by saying it. Plus, the Leaf could be an ideal fashion accessory. Sure, it kinda looks like a Nissan Versa with the angles rounded off, but have Cameron Diaz park this baby on Rodeo Drive and I guarantee you it will accessorize perfectly with the latest designer shoes and chihuahua totes. Ed Begley Jr., your next car is going to be a Nissan Leaf.
Rebuttals
MacKinnon:
The Dodge Neon was cute. Remember the "Hi." campaign? How many over-exposed celebutantes drove Neons? Cute is sooooo over, Brent-a-licious. The Volt (KABLAM!) is sleek and modern and doesn't scream "econocar." It looks more like a car an adult would own, and there are a lot of celebrities who pretend to be adults. Advantage: "Maximum" Bryn and her Amazing Volt-mobile.
Zero emissions, schmero emissions. Like you said, just because there's nuthin' coming out of the back end of the Wittle Leafie, doesn't mean it has no impact on the environment. Unless, like Long-Term Road Test Blog commenter and Mini E owner minie183, you run your house using only solar power, you're getting that electrojuice from someplace dirty, even if you can't see it. I think this means the Volt and I win, Brent. It's perfectly understandable if you want to just forgo your rebuttal.
Romans:
Not so fast, Bryntastic. As you pointed out, the Volt still needs gasoline for anything more than 40 miles. Petrol is soooo last century, don't you know? A celeb can only outrun the paparazzi so far before having to fill up his Volt at the local Chevon anyway. What kind of Earth-boosting image is that? Meanwhile, the rich-and-famous can hook up their So Cal homes with all-solar pretty easily, just like you suggested. As for range anxiety, well, I'm sure there's a pill for that.
So which car wins?
By pat1usmc
on March 1, 2010
05:12 AM
I actually laughed at this writeup. It was very well done!
I think the Leaf will end up doing pretty well. I'm sure many people will realize that the Volt has a regular gasoline engine on board and just immediately lump it into the same category as the Prius/Insight/Fusion. Meanwhile, the Leaf is completely different and could start up an electric-only fad or possibly movement.
The good thing is that this was a celebrity only face-off, so price doesn't matter.
By brn
on March 1, 2010
06:33 AM
I gave up trying to predict celebrities before I even started. They might think the Volt is just another Prius. They might think both the Volt and the Leaf are the same.
I think the Leaf will make a big splash. With it's lack of battery management, I don't think that splash will last long. However, they will set a pricing bar.
The Volt is more practical, hence more boring. They've been working the hype machine pretty hard, so it'll make some kind of splash. I think the Volt has more staying power.
By estreka
on March 1, 2010
09:34 AM
The argument is simple. The Leaf is a best-in-market contender as an electric vehicle in its price range (the only contender). The Volt is an obscenely overpriced hybrid. Case closed!
Leaf wins.
By petrolhead85
on March 1, 2010
11:31 AM
Shouldn't it be "the winner has to buy the loser a tofu wrap?"
I just can't see the Volt being anything close to a success story. And unfortunately, I'd have to say the same for the Leaf. There's still too much of a compromise between these vehicles and a Prius, even if you ignore the pricing difference.
By subaru123
on March 1, 2010
12:51 PM
I would by the Volt because of its range, "normal" styling, and it's not called Leaf (anyone else think that Nissan needs a new name for it??)
By blackadder5639
on March 1, 2010
02:51 PM
I would buy the Volt too, because of the range. Sure, the Volt also has a finite range, but then filling up with gas/petrol takes less than 5 minutes.
For these reasons, I think the Volt is the Next Celebrity Green Car Darling.
By technetium99
on March 1, 2010
03:06 PM
Neither. I'll take a Jetta TDI wagon.
By firstwagon
on March 1, 2010
06:05 PM
Tough to say since I have never seen a full test on either one.
Right now I think the Prius (and the TDI) will walk all over both of them in sales.
The Volt will do well at first due to the hype and the trendy types but how it will be doing 6 months later depends on how close it gets to doing 40 miles and how well the power produced by a 1.4 litre motor can move around a heavy car once the 40 miles (or less) is gone. Somehow I don't people who pay $40K for a car will be too happy with that level of performance.
I watched pretty much everything on the Olympics and never saw an ad for the leaf. Strange that the green Olympics did not include the ads for the car in the host country. My guess is like other electric cars, it's not coming here.
By subytrojan
on March 1, 2010
06:59 PM
Tahoe! I mean Volt.
1) I won't trust a full EV yet (range).
2) I like the sounds of an ICE.
3) It's a Chevy.
Sorry, Brent! :(
Funny writing, both of you! =Þ
By sabastian
on March 2, 2010
08:23 AM
Count another for the Volt. I am susceptible to range anxiety.
By ne1butu2
on March 2, 2010
11:36 AM
Am I correct to assume that a 100 mile range of the Leaf is the maximum? So using your A/C, carrying a passenger, using windshield wipers, heater, headlamps, brakes or cranking the stereo would reduce this dramatically. Sub 40-degree temperatures would also reduce the battery capacity dramatically. I would be constantly frustrated by a car that wouldn't allow for running an extra errand or using my windshield wipers or climate control for fear of running out of juice. Right now, batteries and electric motors can't pack enough punch to be an effective vehicle drivetrain all by itself. The Volt is infinitely more practical and will appeal to a lot more people. Even if they don't understand the difference between the Volt and the Prius technology, they will see the EPA fuel ratings. And that will likely impress anyone.
By mlh
on March 2, 2010
12:00 PM
Volt, please, if only because it's *much* better looking!
By firstwagon
on March 2, 2010
05:17 PM
"I would be constantly frustrated by a car that wouldn't allow for running an extra errand or using my windshield wipers or climate control for fear of running out of juice. "
I would be more frustrated by a fast relatively cool car that turns into a Honda Accord with a 1.4 litre, 4 cylinder motor after the 1st 20 or 30 minutes.
By edm101
on March 2, 2010
10:02 PM
Think about an emergency, evacuation, or an unexpected call that your wife or child is stranded! Anything. The Volt is the winner.
(In the Volt related article it says, "charge the electric motor ", which should have instead of the words "electric motor" had the word "battery". These cars are all about technology, and therefore terminology. The gasoline engine never powers the wheels - it only charges the battery, just like a railroad engine.)
Also,
As I understand it, and I was one of 100 GM customers to see the Volt's being built in Detroit several months ago, the Volt's battery range on a single charge is actually up to 60 miles, but 1/3 (20 miles) of the battery charge is reserved to provide maximum performance at any time (leaving 40 miles of battery to be used up per plug in). The gasoline engine is started by logic after the 40 battery miles is used, to keep the 1/3 of the battery charge available to insure maximum performance availibility, since the gasoline engine (running efficently) cannot match the huge power that the electric motors can provide instantly. The 40 mile "electric" usage per charge is, of course, a temporary number until battery technology evolves. It is possible that at any time, the battery could be replaced with new technology, without having to get a new car. The Volt also has to run the engine to use up the old gas, so unless you plan a long trip, it might not be good to fill up.
What is so interesting is that even if you do not plug this car up at night, or you go where you cannot charge it, the gasoline engine will run at maximum efficiency to simply keep the battery at 1/3 (33.3%), even when maximum acceleration is used, etc. This should still give good mileage, but plugging it in at night and/or during the day will give maximum economy. The Volt is a "real car" as we know it, with no range limitations, except adding gasoline to the tank when and if needed.
The Volt also allows for that call, "Help, come and get me", or "Help, I am sick", even if you forgot to plug it up the previous night, or if the power was off due to storm or disaster!
By edm101
on March 2, 2010
10:27 PM
The Volt electronics will start the gasoline engine and be charging the battery way before the battery is exhausted, to keep full power reserve (the reserve is not part of the 40 mile number). It will not turn into a 1.4 liter performer, unless you accelerate 0-60 and stop, then do it again several times (I don't know the max number, but keep in mind that the gasoline engine does not have to take acceleration since it only charges the battery). As long as you have gasoline in the tank, I don't think you can run the battery completely down. That is the design.
It is not a hybrid as we know it.
By edm101
on March 2, 2010
10:48 PM
As far as my comment above, stopping with the brakes would actually charge the battery back up somewhat. Note that my 1/3 battery reserve numbers are not verified, so the reserve might be less, but programming is in progress to make sure the reserve is never exhausted.
And, as I understand it, the Leaf has a GPS screen that has a 100 mile shrinking range ring showing how far you can go on the remaining charge. If you see that the ring as it follows you, and your final destination (like home) will be outside the ring, then guess what! You can't make it home! And, if you are stuck in traffic with the heater or air running (electric HEAT and air - no water in Leaf), the ring will shrink slowly even though you are not moving. Spooky to think about, but it is like working a video game you might lose - while driving. Attention loss wrecks?
By firstwagon
on March 3, 2010
09:05 AM
"It will not turn into a 1.4 liter performer, "
That's the big question. Once the charge is depleted the 1.4 is the only source of power you have. There is no magic here. I'm just looking at it from an engineering point of view.
Now if they are clever enough they can mask it somewhat. For most driving you do a 1.4 will keep up with traffic. That will allow some excess power to go back into the battery and give you the extra you need to accelerate quickly when needed. The price for that will be the 1.4 will run most (or all) the time and will be running harder then the engine in a Prius. (Thus mileage will suffer. A fast run on the freeway may be a problem as there will be no opportunity to charge the battery.
For the Prius fans who take great pride in getting 75 to 100 mpg this will be a great car. It will be quite a game to understand exactly what the computer is doing all the time and get the max range and mileage out of the car.
For the typical foot to the floor, late braking, accessories on max... driver, I don't think they are going to be happy with a Accord with a Fit engine.
By estreka
on March 4, 2010
06:39 AM
I say we throw out the batteries and go rubber.
How to guide:
1. get a 4WD drivetrain
2. replace driveshaft with giant industrial rubber band
Such a vehicle will be a FWD and gas-powered car half the time. The other half, it'll be AWD and a gas/rubber hybrid.
Side benefits include:
reduced emissions (maybe)
a green energy source (rubber trees!)
improved handling the latter half of your day
snob appeal
an economical drivetrain that won't need replacing every 6-7 years
a cheap drivetrain (I'm guessing $50?)
Nobel Prize for Economics please!
By ne1butu2
on March 4, 2010
11:32 AM
I'm not sure that some of us commenting understand the purpose of the gas engine in the Volt. It's very different than a hybrid. The ICE is not at all attached to the drivetrain of the vehicle. The Volt will never be moved by the gas engine, no matter how hard you press the throttle or how much energy the batteries have. The sole purpose of the gas engine in the Volt is to generate power to keep the batteries at a level that will run the fully electric drivetrain. If the Leaf had a small engine to keep it's batteries charged, it would be the same thing. This is a feature in the Volt that I believe makes it a practical car for more people.
If I'm incorrect, let me know. But I don't think i am.