The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is GM's great experiment: a halo car that draws its prestige not from gaudy performance stats but rather from a unique electric drivetrain that includes a range-extending gasoline generator. The Chevrolet Volt effectively provides buyers with a battery-powered option that avoids the anxiety associated with running out of juice miles from the nearest charging center, transforming the concept of an electric car from novelty to responsible commuter car choice. Along the way Chevrolet has also managed to ensure that the Volt has been engineered to provide the kind of driving experience that almost completely disguises the vehicle's alternative power source, making it the world's first mainstream plug-in electric car.