Chevrolet's Volt aims to provide a way for 75+% of America's daily commuters to drive themselves to work without using a drop of gasoline. Able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity only and get recharged through a standard 120V electric outlet and an optional solar roof, the Volt will have a small gas engine that can drive the electric motor via a generator, but that engine will not recharge the battery pack. Buyers should be eligible for a substantial tax credit.

The Volt reminds some of GM's EV1 electric car of the late '90s, but the new car should have a much higher top speed, thanks largely to improvements in battery technology, though its pure-electric range will be shorter. The Volt will seat four, instead of the EV1's two, and its battery pack will be considerably smaller and lighter. Originally announced as a 2010 car, Chevrolet warned of delays in early 2008, but now expects production to begin in late 2010.