In a hands on review of the Chevrolet Volt for an article in Lindsay Broke discussed the major fear most people face about owning an electric vehicle; how the machine will perform when its electrical charge has been expended.

The Volt, scheduled to reach showroom floors in 2010, is generally expected to become the first mass-market plug-in hybrid in the United States. Designed to run 40 miles on a single charge, the Volt will carry an opening price of $40,000, softened slightly by an available $7,500 consumer tax credit.

When the batteries lose their charge, a gasoline-powered generator engages. At the car's current stage of evolution, that results in what Broke described as a "mechanical roar [that] reminds me of a missed shift in a manual-transmission car. For a moment the sound is disconcerting; without a tachometer, I guess that it peaked around 3,000 r.p.m."

According to the Tony Posawatz, the Volt's vehicle line director, who accompanied Broke on the test drive, the system entered a charge-sustaining mode that is essential not ready for prime time, although some degree of noise may be inevitable with the system even after the Volt goes into production.

According to Broke's review, "The sound of the generator running at steady highway speeds is something Volt owners, and others who appreciate the flexibility and efficiency of this type of hybrid system, may have to accept," adding, "Unlike many electrics, including the Tesla Roadster, the Volt's electric drive has no whine. The car feels solid and planted on the road."

Although eliciting a different tactile feel and auditory experience, Broke did conclude the review on a positive note, "Throughout my test, the prototype behaves admirably. At its current state of development, the Volt is an extremely refined vehicle."