Thinking about buying Chevy Volt. Electric but with gas motor to extend range...

[Judge Smails]

I try to avoid new cars for the depreciation hit as you drive off the lot but there is a hefty tax credit when you buy a new one ($7500?). They say you can drive the Volt ~38 miles just using the electric, after that the gas motor kicks on to start recharging the battery. Cheap to recharge, like running a refrigerator.

Anyone had any experience with the Volt? I have a short commute so I would be all electric back and forth, but still gives you the flexibility to take it on long trips.

I had been thinking about getting a Tahoe and had to rent one last week. The $80 to fill the tank seemed obscene to me and I started thinking about going a different direction.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I know a couple of people that own them. They really like them.

You'd be best served if you can install a charger in a garage. This protects the charger, and also means that you'd be starting the car in a warmer environment than the outside during winter months.

E vehicles are limited by their range, which is a factor of the battery, how you drive, and the weather. The Volt does a nice job of solving that problem by also having a gas engine for when the range limit is met.

I don't know if the latest Volt allows a user to use regular gas. One of the drawbacks of the earliest version was that it required premium gas.

The only other complaint I've heard about the Volt is that the back seat isn't all that comfortable for adults on long trips. Perhaps that was addressed in the latest model -- you'd have to check.

Choosing between a Tahoe and a Volt? Those are kind of on the extremes at both ends.

 

[83wuzme]

I think you want the Bolt instead of the Volt. The Bolt is next generation up from the Volt.

 

[91Joe95]

Have a friend out in Denver who has one and likes it a lot. Still, its a bit overpriced and slow, even with the onboard generator. Requires detailed planning wherever you go, and its slow to recharge, even with the 20 minute "quick charge" stations. If you're running on gas it defeats the mileage advantage. $7500 tax credit means $7500 extra profit for gm, not a savings for you. If you finance that $7500 you don't even break even on it. Edit: no kids either.

 

[BobPSU92]

I think you want the Bolt instead of the Volt. The Bolt is next generation up from the Volt.

The Colt will be the step-up model from the Bolt. The entry-level model will be the Dolt.

 

[BobPSU92]

Several CBs have Judge Smails choosing the Chevy Volt. The question is when Judge will make his verbal commitment and whether he will still visit other dealerships.

 

[83wuzme]

I should have mentioned that the Bolt is a pure EV, but it has a reported 240 mile range on a full charge.

 

[Judge Smails]

Several CBs have Judge Smails choosing the Chevy Volt. The question is when Judge will make his verbal commitment and whether he will still visit other dealerships.

I'm going to committ to the Volt, but then tweet out pictures of me sitting on the hood of a Volkswagon eGolf. Then people can write articles ripping you guys for criticizing me.

 

[MtNittany]

Club Cars are a lot cheaper. EZ Go's even cheaper than that.

 

[BobPSU92]

I'm going to committ to the Volt, but then tweet out pictures of me sitting on the hood of a Volkswagon eGolf. Then people can write articles ripping you guys for criticizing me.

Good plan!

 

[Frabjous]

The Colt will be the step-up model from the Bolt. The entry-level model will be the Dolt.

When you say 'bolt', I think of the thing that connected Frankenstein's head to his neck.

 

[Judge Smails]

Choosing between a Tahoe and a Volt? Those are kind of on the extremes at both ends.

I'm really liking the idea of the Volt. Just wanted to see if anyone knew of any red flags. I know eventually the batteries have to be replaced and that is apparently > $5000 but I haven't heard when that occurs, i.e. how many miles.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I think you want the Bolt instead of the Volt. The Bolt is next generation up from the Volt.

The Bolt and Volt are completely different vehicles, and appeal to different market segments. As already mentioned, the Bolt does not have the range extender, which is a key feature of the Volt.
That said, the Bolt might be just what the OP wants.

 

[CF LION]

I'd like to drive a hybrid car but I'm not sure it's for me....

 

[83wuzme]

The Bolt and Volt are completely different vehicles, and appeal to different market segments. As already mentioned, the Bolt does not have the range extender, which is a key feature of the Volt.
That said, the Bolt might be just what the OP wants.

Yeah, the Bolt is a pure EV while the Volt has a gas - powered generator onboard to extend range when the battery charge ends. They claim 240 mile range with the Bolt. I suppose you have to have an electrician install a 220V charger at home for the Bolt. It can charge on 110V but it takes really long.

 

[PSUCYCLING]

We've owned the second generation Volt for over a year / 24,000 miles. About 70% of the miles have been electric. 1st off, its the best car we've owned. We love it. No issues in the first year.

- when temps are between about 55 and 75 degrees, we get about 65 miles on a charge
- during winter, that drops to about 45 miles.
- Not the car if you drive on the highway a lot on all electric. Air drag over 60 sucks range
- when the generator kicks in, we get about 41 mpg on gas. Not great but still very good. Tank is about ten gallons, takes regular gas, and total range is in the neighborhood of 400 miles when you mix gas and electric. At one point during the fall, we were averaging about 200 miles per gallon of gas.
- my wife primarily drives it and she has gone over a year without burning gas on her 14 mile each way commute.
- the car absolutely is not sluggish. It's pick up is very good and is not underpowered.
- no Volt has had to have the battery replaced due to degradation. Ever. GM focused heavily in battery reliability and it shows.
- get a level 2 charger for your house. Our electric bill went up about $30/mo after we got it. But, we save about $160 per month in gas and it allows us to do multiple trips on weekends on all electric.
- changing your driving habits to extend range starts to become a game as the car scores you on driving efficiency.

 

[john4psu]

When you say 'bolt', I think of the thing that connected Frankenstein's head to his neck.

and I think of

He's probably faster than the Chevy Bolt in the 40-yard dash and beyond.

 

[john4psu]

I'd like to drive a hybrid car but I'm not sure it's for me....

I miss my Prius' gas mileage. There were times I averaged over 60 mpg for a tankful (flat terrain without the AC on).

I've read a good review recently of the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid. 58 mpg, $22,200. My 2008 Prius was $23K sticker before my trade-in.

 

[Obliviax]

We've owned the second generation Volt for over a year / 24,000 miles. About 70% of the miles have been electric. 1st off, its the best car we've owned. We love it. No issues in the first year.

- when temps are between about 55 and 75 degrees, we get about 65 miles on a charge
- during winter, that drops to about 45 miles.
- Not the car if you drive on the highway a lot on all electric. Air drag over 60 sucks range
- when the generator kicks in, we get about 41 mpg on gas. Not great but still very good. Tank is about ten gallons, takes regular gas, and total range is in the neighborhood of 400 miles when you mix gas and electric. At one point during the fall, we were averaging about 200 miles per gallon of gas.
- my wife primarily drives it and she has gone over a year without burning gas on her 14 mile each way commute.
- the car absolutely is not sluggish. It's pick up is very good and is not underpowered.
- no Volt has had to have the battery replaced due to degradation. Ever. GM focused heavily in battery reliability and it shows.
- get a level 2 charger for your house. Our electric bill went up about $30/mo after we got it. But, we save about $160 per month in gas and it allows us to do multiple trips on weekends on all electric.
- changing your driving habits to extend range starts to become a game as the car scores you on driving efficiency.

Thanks...couple of points:

• I overheard an engineer at SXSW from Tesla saying they were having real distance problems in cold weather. They advertise ~ 200, but were getting less than half. Net result, you need a second car if the trip is not "targeted".
• Net/net, you are saving $130/month. So if you own the car for three years, which is about the average, you are saving $4,680. If you are paying more than that for the car, and you plan to own for three, you are in a net loss position (just looking at the numbers strictly). (without factoring in depreciation and fuel cell replacement at some point)
• Its a great looking car, IMHO.

 

[PSUinMICH]

Get a Vette!

 

[sluggo72]

now if you want something with good fuel economy, buy this!! It's all relative! If I had to guess, in this pic, it's probably getting 1320 feet per gallon!

 

[rumble_lion]

I try to avoid new cars for the depreciation hit as you drive off the lot but there is a hefty tax credit when you buy a new one ($7500?). They say you can drive the Volt ~38 miles just using the electric, after that the gas motor kicks on to start recharging the battery. Cheap to recharge, like running a refrigerator.

Anyone had any experience with the Volt? I have a short commute so I would be all electric back and forth, but still gives you the flexibility to take it on long trips.

I had been thinking about getting a Tahoe and had to rent one last week. The $80 to fill the tank seemed obscene to me and I started thinking about going a different direction.

I try to avoid new cars for the depreciation hit as you drive off the lot but there is a hefty tax credit when you buy a new one ($7500?).

The Volt does qualify for the full 7500 dollar rebate. In order to claim this on your taxes you have to owe at least 7500 in federal taxes in the year you buy the Volt. You cannot carry any unused credit forward to the next year.

The credit is one of the reasons the car depreciates so much when you drive it off the lot. No one is going to pay anything more for you car than 7500 less than you paid for it new.

They say you can drive the Volt ~38 miles just using the electric, after that the gas motor kicks on to start recharging the battery.

The second gen Volt has a bigger battery - 14kWh and is rated at 53 miles all electric. As long as your daily drive stays around 50 miles you should be able to get by with just using electric.

You can stretch the range out by learning how to drive the car for max range and will suffer a range decrease in colder temps.

Cheap to recharge, like running a refrigerator.

Yes, electric drive trains are very efficient.

You can get an idea of the cost pretty easily. Get your electric rate and figure out how much it will cost to charge the battery up all the way. I pay about 12 cents per kWh so it would cost me about 168 cents to charge the 14kWh battery. It will cost a bit more as the charging process is not 100 percent efficient and we will lose some electricity to heat as the battery charges but it will be close enough.

So it would cost me roughly 168 cents to drive 53 miles or a little over 3 cents a mile.


If you are worried about needing to replace the battery, GM warranties the battery for 8 years/100,000 miles.

Anyone had any experience with the Volt? I have a short commute so I would be all electric back and forth, but still gives you the flexibility to take it on long trips.

Sounds like it would work great for you.