http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2011-chevrolet-volt-full-test-road-test
...Here’s what we do know: GM’s recently revised electric-range claim is 25 to 50 miles, and we ended up in the low to middle of that band. Getting on the nearest highway and commuting with the 80-mph flow of traffic—basically the worst-case scenario—yielded 26 miles; a fairly spirited back-road loop netted 31; and a carefully modulated cruise below 60 mph pushed the figure into the upper 30s...
...We averaged 35 mpg for our gas-powered miles and saw 33–34 mpg at a steady, near-80-mph cruise—not exactly spectacular compared with today’s hybrids...
With 80mph cruise speed, I averaged about 35mpg in my 2000 Toyota Corolla. If I were to buy a new Corolla, it would be less than $20,000. It's not mathematically possible to make up the difference in cost through "savings," no matter how long I were to own a Volt, given my driving needs.
Mark
Unlike my Cobra and the Volt BTW, it burns Regular Gas. Around here, Premium Gas costs and additional .20 to .25 a Gallon. It adds up...
Driving back from Vegas last year I got 34.95 MPG doing about 75 - 80. Had I not hit some traffic, I would have broken 35 MPG.
I'd be happy if the Taxpayer just gave me half the $7,500 Tax Rebate the Volt Buyers got. /s