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1. How would the volt manage a norther tier winter?
2. Will it pull my 5th Wheel trailer?
3. How does the price, including replacement cost of batteries, compare to similar fully gasoline engine automobiles in its class (not including the governments generous taxpayer subsidy)?

Let's take question 2 first. It's the easiest. No it's not designed to pull trailers. Not every vehicle is right for every person. But stay tuned on this. Remember Diesel Electrics pull heavy loads so there are future possibilities here.

The Battery is guaranteed for 100K miles or 8 years. By that time batteries will be cheaper, possibly much cheaper. And the 100K is the minimum.

Question 3 is is most interesting. This is where the Volt has a huge advantage over the Nissan Leaf (an all electric). The Gasoline engine will come on to produce heat on very cold (or hot days-ac) days. You can also program the Volt to heat up before leaving for work on a cold day. Plug in the Volt to charge overnight. Let's say you leave for work at 7:00AM. The electric heater can come on at say 6:30AM and heat up the car from the electric outlet. When you get into the vehicle at 7 the car is already warmed up.

The Battery is guaranteed for 100K miles or 8 years. By that time batteries will be cheaper, possibly much cheaper. And the 100K is the minimum.

Upon what do you base the claim that batteries will be cheaper? If they are cheaper, can I pay for them with magical skittles pooped out by my friend the unicorn?

Look, there's a place and a market for the volt. However, I resent my tax dollars going towards a bail out for the company or towards off-setting the price for the buyers.

There's a reason we haven't seen a new model Studabaker this year. You let businesses die; others will fill the void. That's where real innovation arrives.

Remember Diesel Electrics pull heavy loads so there are future possibilities here.

Now they just have to figure how to get one of these diesel locomotive prime movers inside the car.