Perhaps the mileage claims could be forgiven as mere puffery, but GM misrepresented the fundamental nature of the vehicle's motive power. The Volt is essentially a plug-in hybrid, not an electric car. Since the Volt's unveiling to the public as a concept, GM engineers* claimed it to be an all electric vehicle with a piggy-back combustion engine only to recharge the batteries for more range than an electric car using plug-in technology. But the small engine does power the wheels with the electric motor when the lithium batteries run down at speeds of around 70 mph. Taxpayers rescued GM from bankruptcy, and subsidized the Volt to the tune of 30%. Partly, this subsidization was approved in the hope of obtaining an American breakthrough in clean transportation technology. And what did we get--typical Detroit under achievement. Jesus would definitely not buy the Chevy Volt, and neither will US Person. At about half the price and unsubsidized Ford's hybrid Fusion is a better deal.
*Volt's chief engineer said, "you're correct that the electric motor is always powering the wheels, whereas in a typical hybrid vehicle the electric motor and the gasoline engine can power the wheels. The greatest advantage of an extended-range electric vehicle like the Volt is the increased all electric range and the significant total vehicle range combined.