Comments on: One month with the Chevy Volt; so far, so very, very good

By: antonio cristovao

antonio cristovao — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:15:29 +0000

1.18$ /38 miles is more than petrol price? The price of solar panels give you a power price more expensive than this and 10hours takes 2 days to charge The price of car and batteries are more expensive than a regular car. The public spends helping all those (banruptted?) adventurs is great.
Explain me all the business as for a five year child!

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:19:36 +0000

Not an economy car? I’ve purchased 6 gallons of gas in 15 months. My charging costs equate to 130 mpg when gas is $3.50.

I paid $31,000 for my Volt. In 5 years, I will save $6,000 on gas, including the cost of charging. A like optioned Cruze (is there such an animal), would cost $25,000. In 5 years, that Cruze will use $6,000 worth of gas. That means the Cruze will cost more than my Volt did before my gas savings.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:11:46 +0000

I went to a Volt Owners meeting recently. They suggested turning the car on and pre-heating while still plugged in. I don’t know if you’ve tried that, but with solar, it’s perfect for you. You leave with a warm cabin and a full charge.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:06:20 +0000

You need to read the Reuters article started this little piece of information.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/10/us-generalmotors-autos-volt-idUSBRE88904J20120910

Pay very close attention to paragraphs 22-24. Reuters states each Volt costs $26,000 to build. They admit that they included R&D costs, which are costs that can’t be tallied until the very last Volt is sold.

Reuters froze the R&D costs at 21,000 Volts sold. There have been 7,000 more Volts sold since then. Reuters admits the $50,000 figure will come down as more Volts are sold.

It’s all in paragraphs 22-24.

Here’s my little video on that subject.

By: John Martin

John Martin — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:24:30 +0000

I think the Very Cold/Cold setting is actually 25 degrees F and 15 degrees F on the 2013. I’m loving my 2012 but I dread the “Engine Running Due to Low Temperature” :) and it doesn’t have a “Very Cold” setting.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 02:16:24 +0000

John, We have electric competition in PECO terretories. You can lock in .075 for generation with Next Energy. Look at the different offers at the PECO site or at PA PUC and save. I locked in .075 generation.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:03:04 +0000

Mike, thanks much for this tidbit. I modified the settings as you noted – appreciate it!

By: Cohiba

Cohiba — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:59:15 +0000

The Volt is by no means an economy car. It should not be compared to economy cars such as the Chevy Cruze or Prius even. What it is, is a fairly luxurious, fairly sporty, really, really fun to drive car. Mine replaces my Corvette. The fact that it is very inexpensive to drive is a side benefit and adds to the “game” which makes it fun to drive. As an owner it is really hard not to love the technology.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 23:39:08 +0000

Allan,
You also aIso apparently forget or don’t mind the subsidies you, me, and every taxpaying American give to the big oil companies EVERY YEAR. Me? I want my share back of that $4 billion+. Not to mention the money spent for Middle East oil wars. Wake up and smell the gas fumes, buddy!

By: Kent

Kent — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 06:35:01 +0000

Let’s be very clear about the topic of subsidies for alternative fuels. The U.S. government funded oil and gasoline subsidizes cost each tax payer far more than all the alternative fuel research and EV subsidies combined. That means that I subsidize your driving more than you subsidize mine.
That doesn’t even count the last two mid-east wars, which cost obliterates this entire subsidy discussion. Nor does it count the cost of our constant mid-east naval presence required to ensure the safe delivery of oil out of the Persian Gulf.