This is part of a Forbes conversation that will appear online over the next few days. Auto writer Hannah Elliott and I are debating the practicality, performance and appeal of cars that run on diesel, electricity, natural gas and other non-gasoline fuels. An edited version will appear in a future issue of Forbes magazine. Please weigh in with your own comments.
Chevrolet Volt parked in a garage - Credit: Matthew de Paula

Chevrolet Volt - Image by Matthew de Paula

I’m not going to say that cool factor doesn’t matter to me. It’s just not as big of a priority as it is for fellow auto writer Hannah Elliott, based on what she writes about the Chevrolet Volt here.

But one thing I do care about that she does too, is whether a car has soul.

Hannah dinged the Nissan Leaf for not having any, and I can’t say I blame her. This despite previously arguing that with a car like the Leaf, more efficiency is the goal, even if it means less soul.

Well, fortunately for General Motors, its darling Chevy Volt—on which the company hangs much, if not all, of its reputation—has got soul.

It seems to have a personality, in fact. The Volt does things on its own—turn on the gas engine when the battery charge gets low; turn on the engine when you pop the hood; chirp and flash some fancy graphics on its two large screens as it comes to life after sitting unattended.

This is not what we’re used to. Drivers have been trained to give an input, and get a response: turn key, start engine; press brake, slow down.

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