2011 promises to be the first year for Americans to see mass-produced electric cars on roads across the nation.  The two electric vehicles, or EVs, going head to head this year are the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf.  The release of the cars has eco-friendly drivers everywhere excited, but how do you know which EV is better suited for you?

Looking at the two from a solely monetary standpoint, GM is clearly targeting a higher-end market with retail price of $41,000 for the Volt.  Nissan, however, is aiming more down-market with an MSRP of $32,000 for the Leaf.  First year sales estimates are about 10,000 and 17,000-20,000 for the Volt and Leaf respectively.  Comparisons of the two vehicles, however, will undoubtedly be based on more than just sales alone.
    

The most important factor for consumers is the EV range, or how far the car can travel on a single, full charge.  The Nissan Leaf gets about 100 miles per charge, where as the Volt only gets 40.  Chevy's model, however, comes equipped with a gas-powered generator which keeps the electric motor running as long as there is gas in the tank.  A Volt with a full charge and tank of gas lasts for about 370 miles without having to stop and recharge.  This of course means that the Volt possesses a tailpipe which the Leaf does not, backing up Nissan's claim that the Leaf is a "pure electric vehicle."
    

The average daily commute for working Americans is 16 miles both ways, making the Nissan model more than adequate for the majority of commuters.  For the driver with a longer commute, or when the need to drive long distances arises, the Leaf simply is not comparable to the Volt.
    

If cool features tickle your fancy, the Volt is definitely the superior of the two.  Chevy's EV includes 5 years of OnStar, Bluetooth capability, 30 GB hard-drive for music storage, 6 speaker Bose sound system with subwoofer, remote start, navigation with voice recognition.  Such features will give drivers a more futuristic experience, something that already comes with operating a battery-powered car.  The Nissan Leaf, on the other hand, features Bluetooth and a Navigation system, but seats five; one more than the Volt.
    

Like anything in life, both vehicles have their pros and cons.  The Nissan Leaf is entirely electric (no emissions), but only gets 90 miles per charge, making it purely a commuter's car.  The Chevy Volt, on the other hand, can travel for hours on end without having to stop and recharge, but uses gas after the firs 40 miles, and is $10,000 more expensive than the Leaf.  For the eco-friendly driver with a short commute, the Leaf is essentially the ideal car, whereas those who like to drive long distances and protect the environment will prefer the Chevrolet Volt.

Below is a chart comparing the two by the numbers, as well as a video of a test drive of each.