I've heard some negative things from the owners down in the states. I've heard that the electric range is much shorter and the gas engine seems to be on way more than GM claimed. In the end they say it's not as fuel efficient as they had hoped. For the gas engine to get 37 mpg in the article that to me sounds awefully high considering how small the engine is and the fact that it should be revving too high. I think the Nissan Leaf would be a better choice if you have a second vehicle that runs on liquid fuel. The range on that one seems to be a lot closer to what Nissan claims.
I too am looking forward to the Prius Plug-in Hybrid. I'm thinking it will out perform the Volt and reclaim the Hybrid/electric crown. I think the big difference is that the Prius will basically be the same as the old one with extra batteries and a plug in to recharge them. Meaning the gas engine will work the wheels also.
I would like to see where you got your information from. There is an independent volt forum gm-volt.com. There I have only heard stories of the Volt exceding expectations. The worst all electric ranges I have heard have been in the low 40km's which was in -20C weather and in heavy snow and is as promissed by GM. In regular driving the Volt seems to deliver 70Km electric range with ease. Hypermilers have got higher than 90km's all electric range. And many owners are reporting gas mileage in the low 40's US mpg. Which exceeds the US EPA 37mpg.
This vehicle is 3800lbs and is nearly as heavy as my minivan. The fact that GM can deliver 40 US mpg out of this car is freaking impressive. No other car of this weight can come even close to delivering this type of fuel economy. And they developed the car in 4 years which is also extreamly impressive as a normal car typically takes 6 years to develop.
This car is expensive. It is a first generation and full of a lot of first technologies (oled screens, touch buttons ... and a heck of lot more). But the battery technology is moving fast. GM has stated that they are targeting a cost reduction with out loss functionallity of US $10,000 for the second generation (targeted for 2015). And GM has stated that they are ahead of schedual for this target. [They have found a new cathode material for the battery which increases capacity by 30% and reduces cost] This will allow GM to make the battery smaller and lighter and will make the car cheaper and more efficient. GM is also currently buying the electric motors from a non-automotive supplier. GM has stated they can build better more efficient less expensive electric motors themselves and have started the process to do just that.
With time to design and build dedicated components for the Volt (vs current off the shelf) and a second generation due around 2015. It's only going to get a lot better.
