Chu has given a few tens of million dollars to the hydrogen scene, rather than the billion or so given by the Bush government. Pre-election sop, no doubt.

The fact of the matter remains that they can throw as much research money at it as they like, the number of conversion stages means hydrogen cannot compete with a BEV for efficiency by the laws of thermodynamics.

http://www.efcf.com/reports/E21.pdf

They may be able to power a few test fleets with by-product hydrogen from other chemical processes, but that does not translate into an efficient full scale hydrogen economy.

As the Ford Focus EV is being released in Germany later this year and UK early next (according to the Ford guy at Geneva supervising test drives), I think Ford may be serious, if a little conservative. Let's hope, as it is a great car.

Any hydrogen cars hiding in there?

Others have claimed the Plug-in-Prius MSRP is $32,000.

Interesting conclusion, because I'd say it's the other way around!

"But if you live in a larger city, make lots of small-distance trips and want to reduce your gasoline habit on the way to total zero-emissions motoring, the Volt becomes the better car."

If you're in a city then speeds will be below the Prius' 62mph EV limit and most daily chores will be within 13 miles.

However, if you live out in the suburbs or drive between cities, then surely the longer EV range and 70+ mph of the Volt makes sense? E.g. I commute on motorways between two cities, 31 miles each way. That's 14,000 EV miles a year with a few longer roadtrips that partly use petrol (< 1000 miles non-electric).

YMMV but I also ran the spreadsheets before making my choice.

It would have been a Tesla competitor if it had a 36kWh battery, but by just making it a flashier Leaf they've blown it.

Shouldn't the headline be 'Opel Ampera Enters 2012 Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally'?

The Zoe and Leaf were parked next to each other in the green tent at Geneva. The reality is that there is not much difference in size. The bonnet/hood on the Zoe is shorter and the cabin space is actually pretty similar. The boot/trunk on the Zoe is surprisingly big.

IMHO Renault has a smash hit on their hands. It's a great car. They just need to market it properly, which I am sure they will. The fact that it can be plugged into cheap, common three phase outlets (with the right portable EVSE of course) is a real bonus.

Michael DeGusta doesn't declare interest either. He appears to be Max Drucker's long-time business partner:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/7648-Do-you-know-that-you-must-keep-your-battery-charged/page24?p=115930&viewfull=1#post115930

He can't claim he missed vital information when they make you sign this:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4433&d=1329960743