The right mix? 66 percent of Chevy Volt energy is electric
Volt is 2/3's electric
Does the Volt use the right mix of energy?
Thus far Chevy Volt owners have logged 2 million miles with their collective plug-ins, and 1.3 million of those miles have been powered by electricity.
So, is the Volt the right mix of electric car with gasoline-powered range extender?
As I’ve claimed many times, in theory, the Volt is the most interesting car on the planet. The Volt offers the kind of electric range that enables most owners to do most of their driving without using any gasoline. Ultimately, if every American drove a Volt and used electricity for 2/3’s of their driving, America could easily end foreign oil dependence.
Of course, it’s impossible for the Volt to fit every need in the transport sector, but for fun, let’s say it could. Would the Volt be the perfect powertrain?
Certainly not yet.
Unfortunately, the Volt is too expensive, and that again begs the question, does the Volt use the right mix of energies to be cost-effective enough to outsell not just something like the Toyota Prius, but the Chevy Cruze by 2015 or 2020?
If not, the Volt is a great car for ending personal foreign oil dependence, but just a small piece of the plan for US energy independence.
Chevy is not that far off from the $29,999 they promised. The $32,500 price only missed that target by $2500. Yes. The $29,999 price promised was “after” the tax break.
Of course, if the $2500 difference is too much, you could always go with the $350/month lease option. A $350 payment is the same as 3 year purchase loan for a $12,000 car, or a 5 year loan on a $20,000 car.
As far as the 230 mpg….. The 230 mpg press release came from running the existing EPA driving test, which resulted in 230 mpg average since most of the miles on the test were electric.
The EPA test result revealed what is “possible” in a Volt. For some Volt owners that 230 mpg is a “reality”. There are actual Volt owners on the road today that have a reading of 250+ mpg in their vehicles. (Check out Facebook Groups – Chevy Volt Owners)
In reality, with EV’s coming into the market that drive without gasoline, MPG is no longer an accurate way to compare vehicles. I think “Miles Per Dollar” might be a more appropriate measuring stick.
I don’t know what the right mix is, but the Volt obviously doesn’t have it. I’ve read a few reports that state that owners get a “propulsion system reduced” message when climbing hills in charge-sustaining mode. That’s what I want — a car that drops to 35 MPH when going uphill after the battery pack is depleted.
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I’d buy a Volt tomorrow if it got 230 MPG and cost $29,999. If GM produced the car they promised, it would •easily• beat the Prius hands-down.
The comparison will be pure speculation until Plug-in Prius owners do 2 million miles of real world driving….
I guess the only way to do a comparison now is to estimate how many gallons per month Plug-in-Prius owners will consume.
- When I drove my Explorer I filled up 4 times a month. (approx. 60 gallons)
- When I drove my Sebring, I filled up 3 times per month (approx. 45 gallons)
- When I drove my Honda Civic Hybrid I filled up 2 times a month (approx. 24 gallons)
- Volt owners are filling up on the average once a month (approx. 9 gallons)
- What is the expected monthly fuel consumption for a Plug-in Prius owner? Will it be more or less than 9 gallons?
I think a more interesting question might be how the plug-in Prius will be viewed in comparison to the Volt ( and the Leaf).
From a “design” standpoint, I think Chevy found the sweet spot with the Volt in building it for 40 miles of EV range.
From a “price” standpoint, Chevy is nowhere near the sweet spot. But, no emerging technology has ever been priced for the masses on day one, and the Volt is no exception.
It is an interesting analogy that if all Americans drove Volts, our oil dependence could be cut by 2/3. But all Americans do not drive “any” one vehicle. Each person has different needs. So why be critical of the Volt for not meeting everyone’s needs? NO VEHICLE DOES THAT…
As far as the Volt solving our national foreign oil dependence issue????
- By itself? No.
- But as one small part of a comprehensive plan? Most definitely.