In the Seattle Times, Bob Lutz dashed hopes today for the $30,000 plug-in, gas-assisted electric car. He points out, however, that Congress may sweeten the deal by passing legislation for $7,000 in credits.

Lutz said the first-generation Volt will retail for about $40,000 and generate no profit for GM. The company hopes to make money as it rolls out later versions of the vehicle and other plug-in models.

Relately, The Atlantic has a great article on Volt's development. Granted pretty generous access, Jonathan Rauch chronicles some of the early days when there was a euphoric, yet still guarded, sense of purpose. Today, however, the realities of a 2010 launch as they squash technical gremlins are setting in.