Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt butt heads in newest ad

Drivers might assume that since the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are the first two electric vehicles to make it to market, that the two models would stick together - after all, interest in electric models as a concept is good for the future of both brands. However, Nissan has made it clear that it's not playing nice in its latest advertisement, which attempts to knock the Volt down a peg.

The conceptual ad, entitled "Gas-Powered Everything," is set to air during the NBA Finals on June 12th. The minute-long commercial takes place in an alternate reality where apparently electricity doesn't exist - everything from coffee makers to iPods are run on gas, with accompanying plumes of smoke.

These comical images continue until about 75 percent of the way through the ad, when a pathetic-looking driver is seen filling up his Chevrolet Volt at a gas station. A voice then asks "what if everything ran on gas?" as the man watches another driver pass by in his Nissan Leaf. "Then again, what if everything didn't?"

The commercial clearly goes after the Volt where it hurts - taking the electric vehicle to task for using a gas generator to assist the motor. The Leaf never has to visit a gas station, although it is that generator that gives the Volt a greater range than the Leaf.

Electric vehicles are still pretty expensive, so drivers might want to wait until they hit the used car market before committing to one. In the meantime, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers a wide range of high-MPG vehicles, including hybrids.