Updates on the Chevy Volt

[TheCaptain]

Volt for the win! It's just going to cost a bit for a while...
Until then, you could ride your bike...

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by a_Username

Nissan Leaf, I think, would fit that Category.

Once you hit the end of the Leaf's 100 mile EV range, you're stuck. That's why it's inferior and completely impractical compared to the Volt.

Originally Posted by Hylton

How would that compete against a 40 MPG Cruze that is half the price?

I don't think it would. You would still have to spend a lot more for a 20 mile ranged Volt than a Cruze. It would appeal to a whole different demographic.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by nova

Unless you've got an extension cord running from your neighbors house I wouldn't call it free

That's true.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I excuse the cost of the Volt based on three reasons:

#1) It's still VERY new...I'm honestly shocked it's going to come in around $40k before the credit.

#2) This is the first step on a long road to the electrification of some automobiles. (Note I did not say "all"). It's a big step, but from here on out, they will get less and less expensive, making them more and more practical from a consumers standpoint, but:

#3) This car is not designed to save you money. NO electric car will be able to do that for another 15-20 years. This car is designed to significantly reduce our oil consumption, and significantly reduce vehicle emissions....that's it. And if it's a cause you value, then you'd better be prepared to cough up the $$, because it's an expensive initiative.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Once you hit the end of the Leaf's 100 mile EV range, you're stuck. That's why it's inferior and completely impractical compared to the Volt.



I don't think it would. You would still have to spend a lot more for a 20 mile ranged Volt than a Cruze. It would appeal to a whole different demographic.

100 Miles? That's horrible lol.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

But the Volt isn't purely electric. The closest competitor I've heard of is the plug in Prius. But its still a conventional hybrid. To my knowledge, nobody else has something like the Volt on the way.

IMO, it may not be competitive in perfect theory, but I'm inclined to think that people will cross-shop the two because there are many similarities between them.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by a_Username

100 Miles? That's horrible lol.

IF you drive with the AC off, at low speeds, and don't accelerate hard.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I excuse the cost of the Volt based on three reasons:

#1) It's still VERY new...I'm honestly shocked it's going to come in around $40k before the credit.

#2) This is the first step on a long road to the electrification of some automobiles. (Note I did not say "all"). It's a big step, but from here on out, they will get less and less expensive, making them more and more practical from a consumers standpoint, but:

#3) This car is not designed to save you money. NO electric car will be able to do that for another 15-20 years. This car is designed to significantly reduce our oil consumption, and significantly reduce vehicle emissions....that's it. And if it's a cause you value, then you'd better be prepared to cough up the $$, because it's an expensive initiative.

I know we have to start somewhere ,but I can't see the reason why anybody would buy this car at a cost of $40,000 and batteries that cost a lot of money to replace. I guess I'll let the tree huggers buy the first ones to get the cost down for us guys that would want one for the purpose of saving money.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by motorhead

I know we have to start somewhere ,but I can't see the reason why anybody would buy this car at a cost of $40,000 and batteries that cost a lot of money to replace. I guess I'll let the tree huggers buy the first ones to get the cost down for us guys that would want one for the purpose of saving money.

The batteries cost a lot to replace NOW....but what about ten years from now?
If, like the article said, it's only going to be a few years for the price to halve...

Plus, it's rare that a car ever lives beyond ten years, which is a conservative estimate on the operational life on the batteries...at that point, perhaps a program can be put in place where "refurbished" batteries get installed in a used Volt and sold as a used vehicle, with a 'new' battery.

All I can do is wait and see. I don't think this will be impossible to make practical however. Like I said...the first step is always the hardest.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

The batteries cost a lot to replace NOW....but what about ten years from now?
If, like the article said, it's only going to be a few years for the price to halve...

Plus, it's rare that a car ever lives beyond ten years, which is a conservative estimate on the operational life on the batteries...at that point, perhaps a program can be put in place where "refurbished" batteries get installed in a used Volt and sold as a used vehicle, with a 'new' battery.

All I can do is wait and see. I don't think this will be impossible to make practical however. Like I said...the first step is always the hardest.

It is a step in the right direction ,and I'm not running it down at all. I believe we do need to get away from oil. It just isn't for me until I can see a real gain in cost savings.

I will say though. If we only had this and the toyota to pick from, I would pay $80k for the volt before I would drop a penny on the prius death car.

[DGthe3]

Also, its my understanding that the batteries will protect themselves so that there will be no noticible degragation in performance until after 10 years. So, the batteries won't be dead at that point, they'll just get worse and worse from then on. They could easily be usable for 15 or 20 years, they won't retain a full charge but you should still be able to go 20-30 miles on electricity.

Also, while it doesn't make too much financial sense with US gas prices (Canadian as well), that won't always be the case. I think I heard that GM is preparing for gasoline to be $5/gal in the US within 5 years. Couple that with lower costs for the Volt and a lot of people could save money with the Volt.

[Sax1031]

The Chevy Volt is an AMAZING work of technology. I am so glad an American manufacturer is leading the way on this, at least in a mass production sense.

Massive respect to GM for this.

[PAUL SS]

What about the range of the Tesla? I know it's way more expensive and a sports car, but they seem to have it figured it out.

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by Paul SS

What about the range of the Tesla? I know it's way more expensive and a sports car, but they seem to have it figured it out.

Most the technology is their. It is just really expensive right now. GM is making an affordable electric car. I am sure they could make a bad ass electric sports car but the price would be astronomical right now.