[GTAHVIT]

Ok, lets look at it this way. I drive 50 miles round trip to work a day.

In the Volt, battery drive distance is 40 miles and the 7 gallon tank is estimated to get 360 miles.

So, starting with a full tank and a full charge I will travel 400 miles at an average of 60 miles per gallon on a single tank. Assuming you don't charge the batteries every night. In other words: One battery charge per fillup. This will last 8 days and I'm only paying to fill a 7 gallon tank.

However, one tank of gas, if I charge the batteries every night, I'm really only driving 10 miles a day using gas. So the 360 mile range of the tank will last 36 days for a grand total of 1800 miles on a single tank of gas. At 257 mpg over those 36 days. Furthermore, this is assuming I drive it 50 miles everyday including weekends. Which I don't so if I only drive it Mon - Fri. a tank of gas will last even longer!!!

Currently my Mazda 3 gets 30+ mpg on a 13 gallon / 360 mile range per tank. At 50 miles per day, one tank lasts me a little more than 7 days. And I'm paying to fill a 13 gallon tank, twice that of the Volt.

So even if I don't charge the batteries every night I'm still getting double the mpg I get now. But when you do charge them every night.... How can anyone argue the benefits of this car.


I think limiting your self to a battery range without considering the total benefit of charging the battery daily is a little short sighted. IMVHO.

EDIT:

For comparison, lets go with a 100 mile commute and charge the battery every night.

Subtract the 40 miles of battery range per day, you drive only 60 miles per day on gas. The tank will last 6 days for a total of 600 miles at an average of 85 miles per gallon over the 6 days. Still far and away better then my Mazda 3 at 50 miles round trip.