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There's been a lot of talk about the Chevrolet Volt lately. The video below lays out some facts to help set things straight. Give it a look and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Please note that this post originally appeared on VoltFanSite.com.

One year ago on Feb 10, 2011 I picked up my Volt 974 from Long Island New York with my daughter, Emily. We flew from Lansing, MI to pick the car up at Atlantic Chevrolet. I was a kid in a candy store driving the car off the lot had the biggest smile on my face. The smile is still on my face because I enjoy the car so much.

I have been in local newspapers, interviewed for a book, on radio shows, in a video shoot at GM Proving Grounds, and even have my own trading card. I have done this for the love of driving an electric car. Many ask how much is GM paying me and I tell them I don’t get a penny but get to save money on gas. Along the way I have gotten to meet Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson from NASCAR, government leaders from Michigan, and Kristen Zimmerman from GM.

I have traveled from New York to Michigan in a snow storm, driven on the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, participated in the Michigan State University Home Coming Parade, driven the car in a police escorted EV parade at the Woodward Dream Cruise, drove the car to its birth place - the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant, and taken the family on a vacation to Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH.

Note: The 2012 Chevy Volt has an EPA-estimated 35 miles on a single charge; EPA-est. 94 MPGe [electric]; 35 city, 40 MPG hwy [gas]. Actual range varies with conditions.

1. When did you buy your Volt and what attracted you to the car?
I ordered my Volt in March 2011 and received it in June.  I first looked into hybrids when they were introduced, but I didn't really need a new car yet, and, more importantly, EPA figures showed that the real savings were in city driving - not something I typically do.  I started following reports of the Volt after it was first introduced as a concept car several years ago.  The Volt is the perfect car for me: most of my driving is done on the battery and I only have to use gas every two weeks or so when I have a longer drive.
During the summer, I was pretty consistently getting 42 miles on a charge.  I don't really have a feel for the winter numbers yet since it's been so mild thus far.

2. What is your lifetime MPG?
230 MPG!!

3. How long is your daily commute?
I'm retired, so I don't have a daily commute.  At least 3 times a week I make a 25 mile round trip.

4. Do you charge the car any other place besides your home?
Only at my mother's home.  There are no charging stations locally and I don't know that I'm at any place long enough to bother when I'm out and about.

5. What do you like best about the car?
Driving PAST gas stations and looking at the high prices!  And the quiet (it's a good thing I have cruise control - it's so quiet you don't realize how fast you're going).

6. Have you taken any long trips with the car?
Not yet.

7. What has been the reactions from family and friends that have seen the car?
Everyone is fascinated by it.  I had talked about it a lot after I had ordered it and the reaction I got from some people once it arrived was "it looks like a real car!"  And, of course, a lot are really jealous of my mileage.  And the people that I've let drive it are surprised at how "peppy" it is (people seem to think it would be sluggish).

Well it’s been a year with my Volt and for the first time I found out what it's like to put gas in this electric car.
I drove just 5,000 miles this year but only used 2.4 gal of gas with almost all of my days using no gas at all.
After one year the Volt asks to enter maintenance mode to let the gas engine run to prevent any fuel from getting stale. The Volt lets you decline for only 24 hrs. and then will start the engine and run as a gas car (mostly) till you burn enough gas and refill. It will still run only on electricity at slow speeds and stop at stop signs but the gas gauge always shows and miles are counted as a gas burner.
What a great job GM did on this car.

The Chevrolet Volt is participating in a fascinating project in Austin, Texas called the Pecan Street Project. It will be used to study the effects of several electric vehicles in one community. The video below gives a great overview of this and why the Volt was chosen.

Today, Chevrolet Volt owners should have received a communication from Mark Reuss regarding the closure of the NHTSA investigation. It has come to our attention that some owners may have received a letter with the wrong name in the address.  While the content of the envelope is the same, in each we wanted to let you know that we are aware of the error.  We truly apologize for this error and if you would like a replacement letter please advise your Volt Advisor and they will be happy to send you a corrected letter. Thanks.

Update: Thanks to all the Volt owners who expressed interest! We've reached our limit for participation and we will let you know about other events in the future. - Doug

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.  Automotive enthusiasts from across the globe and all different backgrounds come together to share their similar passion. We would like to bring together Chevrolet Volt owners at this event and would ask them to mark their calendars and clear their schedules for Thursday, February 9th when we’d like to invite them to the auto show for a meet up event.  Stay tuned, your Volt advisor will contact you with additional information in the coming days and weeks.

The $7,500 federal tax credit may not be the only incentive you’re eligible for when you purchase a Chevrolet Volt. In fact, you may be entitled to state and local utility incentives as well. To clarify things and help you find exactly what’s being offered where you live we’ve created a helpful tool on the various incentives offered for purchase of a Volt.  Of course, all incentives, programs and regulations are subject to change at any time. You will want to consult with a tax professional and financial advisor regarding your particular circumstances. Check out the link here or use the tool below.

We have tried to make this website comprehensive and factual. All incentives, programs and regulations are subject to change at any time. Please consult with a tax professional and financial advisor regarding your particular circumstances.