[GTAHVIT]

I ran the numbers a while back against my Mazda3 that is nearly paid off.

This was way before we knew the $7500 tax credit was in play.

Check these out... A couple different ways to look at it.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

I think I follow your numbers but I'm not quite sure.

Lets talk monthly payment and monthly gas bill.

25k car 30 mpg 50 mile commute

5 year payment 500, gas bill 200. average 700 per month.

Volt. 40K (Guess?) 50 mile commute
Same loan as above = 800 payment, gas bill 20. Average 820 per month.

So, if you bought both cars on the same day, over 60 months/5yrs, you'd pay 7200 more for the volt. With a difference of 180 per month in gas it would take you another 3.3 years/40 months to break even.

So, if you have a low cost car that gets 30 or so mpg. The Volt isn't a good option if you drive over 40 miles a day.

Obviously if you are looking at cars in the same price range, the Volt wins hands down. No contest. With my Mazda 3 being paid off. I can't justify it. Now the Tahoe on the other hand.......

Edit:

Also, we don't know what the Volt's price will be so this is speculation. It's a tall order to put a 40K car against a 25k car and expect it to be more affordable in the long run.