Questions remain for ease of electric car roll-out

Electric car buyers, carmakers and air quality officials are energized about the flurry of vehicles hitting the market in the coming months, but some worry that gaps in public charging and what the cars will do to local utilities could make for slow going.

Behind all the buzz about the Chevy Volt and the long list of buyers for the Nissan Leaf -- along with other cars and trucks coming to market in the next two years -- car dealers, electric utilities and air quality officials say the first few months might be a bumpy ride.

"There are all kinds of challenges," said Steve Badgett, deputy general manager of Riverside Public Utilities. "I probably spend 10 to 15 percent of my time addressing auto challenges with the electric supply."

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Everything you ever wanted to know about the Chevy Volt

The Chevrolet Volt starts arriving in buyers' driveways in limited markets outside of Michigan this month, but some confusion remains about everything from how the Volt works to why General Motors is building it.

That's not good for a vehicle that must prove it's not a gimmick to fulfill its mission: be an icon and transform the image of GM.

Today, the Free Press answers your Volt questions:

QUESTION: Can people come and take a tour of the plant and watch the Volt being built? Is there an education center about the Volt? -- reader John C. Tyrrell

ANSWER: The Detroit-Hamtramck plant where workers assemble the Volt will have interactive, educational displays in its lobby next year. GM is also planning a reservation-based tour program for the public that will start next year.

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