My borrowed Chevy Volt runs great on gas.

Bruce Volt log, Day 4. Sunday, 1 pm: I know what you’re thinking: Either ..

A) How un-cool and un-green! In an ideal world, you’re supposed to run this gas-electric hybrid car on pure electricity. Or ..

B) How reassuring! In the real world, when your driving needs might exceed the limited range of your battery charge, you’ll have a gas tank security blanket.

Don’t ask for my fuel economy numbers.  I can’t find them.  This car flashes a maddening array of numbers at me. They’re spread over two video displays that explain everything I want to know except exactly where I find the USB jack to plug in my iPod (Volt owners: If you know, please share!) – and a great many things I don’t want to know.

Chevy calls this an “infotainment center.”

(Meanwhile see today's story "Electric cars coming; Raleigh gets preview,"  with comments from plenty of plug-in cynics.) ... [MORE]

Is the Triangle ready for cars that plug in? Now I'll find out if I'm ready, myself.

I’m talking with Triangle folks who have started driving Teslas and Chevy Volts, put down money for a spot on the Nissan Leaf waiting list, or converted their own gas-burners into plug-in hybrids.

And starting today, I’ll get my own chance when Progress Energy lends me a Chevy Volt to drive for a few days.

I have a lot of questions about this car. And I’m especially interested in your questions: Are you thinking about buying a Volt or a Leaf or a Prius plug-in hybrid -- or one of the other e-car options that will become available in the coming months?

Post your questions below or email me (please include full contact information, which I will not make public), and I’ll post my answers. ... [MORE]

California is where they usually hold the national confab on cars that plug in. This year Raleigh is the host city for Plug-In 2011, a four-day conference and exposition scheduled July 18-21 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Car makers are signing up folks who want to buy plug-in hybrids and electric cars.  Are you on the list?  Do you drive a Tesla? Are you planning to buy a Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Volt?  Or even thinking about it? Or maybe you've rigged up a plug-in Prius?

If so, I'd like to speak with you for a story about the Triangle's eagerness for the e-car. Please e-mail me with your contact information, or call me at 919-829-4527.