We've heard a lot about sales numbers and predictions since the Chevy Volt's release, but we haven't heard as many real-world driving stories. What kind of range are people getting? Are they enjoying the car?
Jay Leno, probably the most famous Volt driver so far, has raved about his experience with the vehicle and reported that he's racked up 11,000 miles in the car without ever having to fill up the gas tank.
Leno drives his Volt from his home to the studio and back every day -- a 35-mile trip each way. With the Volt's battery range of 40 miles, he's able to make the drive to work, plug in to recharge and then drive home again at the end of the day all without using any gas. In fact, the half tank of gas that was in the vehicle when it was delivered to him is still there, untouched.
The big idea behind the range-extended vehicle was just this scenario: people could make their regular commutes on battery power only, but have the option of filling up on gas for longer trips where EV chargers weren't as easily accessible. Jay Leno has basically just proven that the idea totally works.
via Inhabitat
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written by Sam Vilain, November 22, 2011
Filling up the tank with 95% ethanol derived from less smelly sources than oil crude would mean that the smell in the garage won't be so bad as well!
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written by Rich Beckman, November 22, 2011
Old gas does not work very well in lawn mowers. I assume that is also true in cars. I am not sure how long gas is good for, but sooner or later, isn't this going to be an issue?
In Jay's case, I would guess that gas has less than six months left.
In Jay's case, I would guess that gas has less than six months left.
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written by jcsr, November 22, 2011
In J's case I guess that half tank of gas takes care of range anxiety.
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written by Steve in Phoenix, November 23, 2011
I have had my Volt (#1814) for just under 7 months and have put on 6100 miles. 5000 miles of that were electric. Of the 1100 miles on gas, 250 mi were getting home from the dealer where I bought it. 700 miles were clocked in 2 trips to the mountains (7000 ft). The rest was used in dribs and drabs on those days when I exceeded my charge. The transition to gas is seamless since the car is always electric - the gas engine just generates electricity.
The Volt is a heavy, solid vehicle with superb ride and handling - and amazingly quiet. It is a pleasure to drive both in the city and on the highway. Generally I get between 40 and 50 miles per charge and pay about $.80 for the electricity used for that amount of travel. When traveling on gas I get about 40 - 42 miles per gallon.
As to gas getting stale - the engine comes on automatically once a month if it hasn't been run, and if you still haven't used much gas after a year, it will run to use up the old gas.
The Volt is a heavy, solid vehicle with superb ride and handling - and amazingly quiet. It is a pleasure to drive both in the city and on the highway. Generally I get between 40 and 50 miles per charge and pay about $.80 for the electricity used for that amount of travel. When traveling on gas I get about 40 - 42 miles per gallon.
As to gas getting stale - the engine comes on automatically once a month if it hasn't been run, and if you still haven't used much gas after a year, it will run to use up the old gas.
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written by Ingo Ratsdorf, November 23, 2011
Sounds great, however leaves the questions:
Where could I get one if I could afford one at all?
Where could I get one if I could afford one at all?
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written by Mark brooks, November 23, 2011
I got my volt in October and have put 3100 km on it driving around toronto , Kingston and points north. Because of the longer hauls and colder weather I have already burned 62 litre or about 2 liters per 100 km( Thats about 110 miles per gallon ). Not really what the beach people in sunny California would be proud of but it is a real jaw dropper up here. Thanks to it's heavy battery it handles well on ice and it's got a great ride. A Stark contrast to the other Eco boxes being imported. The biggest selling feature , it's electric heater, as in instant heater!
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written by Sharon Nash, November 23, 2011
Mark is right my fellow Canadians. The Volt is great vehicle, to past the gas pump whith an amazing quite ride. Remember there is a hefty rebate for early adopters in Ontario which will bring the price down to the price of a midsize gas fueled vehicle. Your expenses for travel will be a fraction of your former budget. Saving your green by being green is a fact now.
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written by Kurt, November 24, 2011
This is fantastic and all, I'm 100% in favor of the Volt, and it's great to have someone with Leno's prominence (not to mention love of cars) driving one around.
But I have to wonder... when he plugs it in at work, who's paying? Commuters don't get free gas when they show up work, and I doubt employers will be willing to pony up without some other incentive. In Jay's case, no big deal, his electricity bill is less than rounding error compared to his salary. But I doubt a large employer will provide more than a few spaces once it's gone beyond early adopters.
This shouldn't keep it from getting adopted (my own commute is thankfully much less than 40 miles round-trip) but not everyone can count on doing what Jay did if they live that far from work.
But I have to wonder... when he plugs it in at work, who's paying? Commuters don't get free gas when they show up work, and I doubt employers will be willing to pony up without some other incentive. In Jay's case, no big deal, his electricity bill is less than rounding error compared to his salary. But I doubt a large employer will provide more than a few spaces once it's gone beyond early adopters.
This shouldn't keep it from getting adopted (my own commute is thankfully much less than 40 miles round-trip) but not everyone can count on doing what Jay did if they live that far from work.
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written by Peter Johnston, November 29, 2011
Electricity isn't a fuel - only a means of transporting it. Jay's electricity was probably made from oil just like his "gas". Losses in the electricity grid mean that only 25% reaches the socket.
So actually Jay used 4 times the gas he would have used if he started up the petrol engine.
So actually Jay used 4 times the gas he would have used if he started up the petrol engine.
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written by Nicolaas, November 29, 2011
Why isn't there an option to post your stories to Facebook?
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written by Al Toman, November 29, 2011
I'm happy for those who can afford the Volt.
I never paid over $21k for transportation. GM states that near $2,000 of that is for employee health insurance. I don't have any and am a cancer survivor.
We live in the middle of no where, putting 21,500/yr on the odometer. That's about $4,000 in gasoline/yr
I wouldn't see a break even return on the VOLT for 5 years.
What are the annual maintenance and upkeep expenses associated with the VOLT? More important as the vehicle ages.
There is a $7,000 short range all electric coming on board soon! (see ECO GEEK) That would bring me back to reality on earth. Of course it is engineered across the pond (Germany).
I never paid over $21k for transportation. GM states that near $2,000 of that is for employee health insurance. I don't have any and am a cancer survivor.
We live in the middle of no where, putting 21,500/yr on the odometer. That's about $4,000 in gasoline/yr
I wouldn't see a break even return on the VOLT for 5 years.
What are the annual maintenance and upkeep expenses associated with the VOLT? More important as the vehicle ages.
There is a $7,000 short range all electric coming on board soon! (see ECO GEEK) That would bring me back to reality on earth. Of course it is engineered across the pond (Germany).
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written by Al Toman, November 29, 2011
I haven't seen any related numbers on how much petrol (or nukers) is used to generate the electricity being pumped into the vehicle and to manufacture the batteries. How often do the batteries need to be replaced? Lithium batteries are very explosive. How are they cooled?
I'm excited about the electric car but it appears to be made only for the Jay Leno types and not for the masses, the general public.
GM physically crushed its Chevy S-10 electric fleet some years back (private companies who knew what they were doing revived some of them). Will GM CRUSH the Chevy Volt some time in the near future or have they "got it figured out". At $40k, I would hope so.
I'm excited about the electric car but it appears to be made only for the Jay Leno types and not for the masses, the general public.
GM physically crushed its Chevy S-10 electric fleet some years back (private companies who knew what they were doing revived some of them). Will GM CRUSH the Chevy Volt some time in the near future or have they "got it figured out". At $40k, I would hope so.
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written by Fencerdave, December 05, 2011
I understand the concerns, Al Toman and Peter Johnston. It is easy to get excited about electric vehicles and forget that the energy still has to come from somewhere.
It is true that a majority of that energy (assuming you're in the US) comes from 'dirty' sources, especially coal.
The silver lining, however, is that over time we can change that to be more and more environmentally friendly. If eventually we are going to have green transportation, it will be through electric (or fuelcell) vehicles and clean power plants.
Even now, some 18% of my energy is coming from nuclear power and a few more from hydroelectric and wind.
It is true that a majority of that energy (assuming you're in the US) comes from 'dirty' sources, especially coal.
The silver lining, however, is that over time we can change that to be more and more environmentally friendly. If eventually we are going to have green transportation, it will be through electric (or fuelcell) vehicles and clean power plants.
Even now, some 18% of my energy is coming from nuclear power and a few more from hydroelectric and wind.
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