Its news like this that makes your chest puff out a bit. It has been a long time since I’ve been truly impressed with anything done by a domestic car manufacturer. I mean, I’ve been a fan of Ford’s latest offerings and their direction, but there wasn’t that “wow” story… until today.

Enter the Chevy Volt.

Chevy is now claiming that their new hybrid car will get an EPA-rated 230 MPG.  230 MPG! Kind of makes you want to dance on an Escalade… in tack-soled shoes.  The Volt will get 40 miles on the electric charge alone, and then a small gasoline generator will kick in and take you the rest of the way.  Estimated total range is about 340 miles.

The implications of this car are insane.  If you charged it off solar power and drove less than 40 miles per day, it would literally give you a day-to-day carbon footprint of 0.  If it sells well and the profit margin is there, it could do more than rescue GM from the brink.  It could reestablish them as an auto superpower.  The platform and idea could be applied to other cars.  It could turn opinion on the automotive bailout 180 degrees.  It could affect public opinion on our president.  Could Chevy even trump Toyota?

The estimated price tag is $40,000.  It is highly likely that the government would offer some kind of tax credit for buying a vehicle with this kind of mileage.  So, the question is would you buy it?

I would.