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Author	Topic: Chevy Volt gets 230 MPG in the city?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Cyberkedi Champion Author Atlanta Posts:13,371 Points:2,317,615 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 11, 2009 10:20:15 PM Ignore Cyberkedi Report Abuse If this turns out to be true, I just might hold out for one. In a way it's too bad the Ford Fusion hybrid doesn't do this. I plan to make my next car a Ford because that company refused gub-mint bailout money - and more importantly, Fords are well-made and reliable cars.

Cyberkedi

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Message Posted: Aug 11, 2009 10:20:15 PM

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If this turns out to be true, I just might hold out for one.

In a way it's too bad the Ford Fusion hybrid doesn't do this. I plan to make my next car a Ford because that company refused gub-mint bailout money - and more importantly, Fords are well-made and reliable cars.

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GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: May 18, 2012 9:30:40 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse 2013 Fusion Hybrid is going to give the Prius and Volt some strong competition.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 5:56:23 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse Diesel Chevy Cruze. Coming to stores near you!
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 9:28:06 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse ""Diesels are a great way to save but GM won't bring them over here. Ford has begun production of its most fuel efficient car ever, 86 mpg. Unfortunately, the new Ford Fiesta will not be available here in North America. Also a Diesel, why can't our country get them?????? "" Because the EPA standard will cause massive amounts of emission controls & that 86 mpg will be around 30 mpg
Eugene_C Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,299 Points:155,995 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:10:56 PM Ignore Eugene_C Report Abuse Even more depending on how you drive it. GM actually has a Website where you can view the computer data on real-world Volts via satellite: Volt Stats
GBHUGVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,697 Points:789,160 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 28, 2012 8:14:44 AM Ignore GBHUGVA Report Abuse Diesels are a great way to save but GM won't bring them over here. Ford has begun production of its most fuel efficient car ever, 86 mpg. Unfortunately, the new Ford Fiesta will not be available here in North America. Also a Diesel, why can't our country get them??????
Eugene_C Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,299 Points:155,995 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 10:43:00 AM Ignore Eugene_C Report Abuse Depends on how you drive it. I know someone who owns one of these and it takes him 2 months to use up a tank of gas.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,541 Points:2,837,265 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2012 2:48:34 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "The car costs $41,000. It will run for the first 50 miles on the battery, after that it'll use the gas motor and gets between 35-40 mpg." First, I'm not in the market for a $41,000 Volt. Nor do I think it is cost effective for me to buy one. However, here is another way to look at the mpg: When gasoline is providing the power, the Volt might get as much as 50 mpg. But that mpg figure would not take into account that the car has already gone 40 miles with no gas at all. So let's say the car is driven 50 miles in a day. For the first 40 miles, no gas is used and during the last 10 miles, 0.2 gallons are used. That's the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon. But, if the driver continues on to 80 miles, total fuel economy would drop to about 100 mpg. And if the driver goes 300 miles, the fuel economy would be just 62.5 mpg.
timmyC4 Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:417 Points:60,600 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2011 7:20:31 PM Ignore timmyC4 Report Abuse The car costs $41,000. It will run for the first 50 miles on the battery, after that it'll use the gas motor and gets between 35-40 mpg. I'll keep my diesel jetta (55mpg). I've got better things to spend my $ on.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 8:35:43 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse <<<< With the Volt, however, GM only planned to build 10K initially (reports have them thinking they might increase this number). That is only 'hundreds per month' - I don't plan on passing judgment quite so quickly...>>> . . 10,000 divided by 12 equals 833. If their goal is 833/month, they are not achieving that rate. . . $750 million / 10,000 per year is $75,000 per vehicle in development costs. GM has a gaping chasm to leap before they recoup development costs. Let alone achieve profitability on the Volt. . . Contrast the Volt with the Cruze. Looks like GM has a major runaway hit on their hands and sold 50,000 in the 1st quarter of 2011. Well maybe GM can use the record profits from the Cruze to prop up sluggish sales from Obama's pet Volt.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 8:24:07 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "A few hundred a month may be your definition of melodrama, but in the world of auto manufacturing, it is a death sentence, especially after $750 million on development costs." Generally speaking yes. With the Volt, however, GM only planned to build 10K initially (reports have them thinking they might increase this number). That is only 'hundreds per month' - I don't plan on passing judgment quite so quickly...
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 4:06:12 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse <<<That being said, your previous post was a bit melodramatic (regarding free-fall in sales and discontinuing the Volt).>>> . . A few hundred a month may be your definition of melodrama, but in the world of auto manufacturing, it is a death sentence, especially after $750 million on development costs. Is Uncle Sam going to come to the rescue? GM has to make a profit which means they have to sell tens of thousands of cars, not a few hundred here and there. . .. <<<<< I expect the second generation of the Volt to be significantly reduced in cost otherwise I agree that GM will have failed.>>>. . . If the model lasts to its 2nd generation. Its only been available for 4 months. GM must recoup some costs before a major redesign. I suspect if they can't bump start sales somehow (likely with Obama turning the tax credit into a rebate) this car is doomed. Also I wouldn't be surprised if the proposed $7500 rebate gets larger (maybe $15000). As I said this car needs to be priced at no more than $25,000, else it is doomed.
arthur1957 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,460 Points:32,245 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 1:31:53 PM Ignore arthur1957 Report Abuse "Don't forget that GM only planned on building 10K originally which is only 833 per month (average). This article states they palnned 100,000 over 2 years. And it requires premium fuel. Chevy Volt: The Car from Atlas Shrugged Motors [Edited by: arthur1957 at 4/5/2011 1:33:43 PM EST]
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2011 11:55:03 AM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "What it boils down to is this car has no market other than as a green status symbol for those in Hollywood or Martha's Vineyard. There is no compelling reason to buy one over, say, a Lexus or an Infinity or a Caddy. Once the glitterati have made their purchase, who is the market? GM needs to cut the price $20,000 to have a hope of success." This is true at the Volt's current pricing, I do not dispute this! That being said, your previous post was a bit melodramatic (regarding free-fall in sales and discontinuing the Volt). I expect the second generation of the Volt to be significantly reduced in cost otherwise I agree that GM will have failed.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 11:57:32 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse <<<<As D-HAM is still ramping-up and the Volt has only been available in limited regions, your conclusion that the line can not keep running at such 'low volumes' is completely incorrect.>>> . . YOu are forgetting one thing , PROFIT. Since the Volt is essentially a boutique car for wealthy Hollywood elites and is a pet project of President Obama, I suppose it may continue despite being a very poor business decision. With a development cost of $750,000,000 it will be a few years before GM makes any money on this car even if they manage to hit their modest sales goal. So far they are not even close. What it boils down to is this car has no market other than as a green status symbol for those in Hollywood or Martha's Vineyard. There is no compelling reason to buy one over, say, a Lexus or an Infinity or a Caddy. Once the glitterati have made their purchase, who is the market? GM needs to cut the price $20,000 to have a hope of success. [Edited by: Hemond at 4/4/2011 11:59:06 PM EST]
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 10:38:28 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "Volt sales are in free fall. There are no buyers. GM is going to be forced to discontinue the Volt soon." Free-fall? Discontinue? Wow, is the sky falling? Just a little melodramatic, don't you think? Research how many Volts were sold in March and get back to us. I think you'll be surprised based on this post of yours. Don't forget that GM only planned on building 10K originally which is only 833 per month (average). As D-HAM is still ramping-up and the Volt has only been available in limited regions, your conclusion that the line can not keep running at such 'low volumes' is completely incorrect.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 7:48:14 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse Volt sales December 326 cars sold January 321 February 281 Volt sales are in free fall. There are no buyers. GM is going to be forced to discontinue the Volt soon. It is impossible to keep the assembly line running at these sales volumes. . . Oh yeah , another economy car that needs premium fuel. GM is nuts with this car.
PAScout66 Rookie Author Pennsylvania Posts:4 Points:21,630 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 4:07:23 PM Ignore PAScout66 Report Abuse It's great that it gets such a great MPG, but if the common family can't afford to purchase it, it really isn't going to do a whole lot of good. If you live in a home with a nice two car garage it should work just fine. just if you live a in complex or a city where you need to find on the street parking, how are you going to be able to charge it?
arthur1957 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,460 Points:32,245 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2011 2:48:00 PM Ignore arthur1957 Report Abuse Latest reports makes this look like it has same future as EV1. Chevy Volt: The Car from Atlas Shrugged Motors
67_Chevelle Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:69 Points:156,840 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2011 5:45:07 PM Ignore 67_Chevelle Report Abuse 230 MPG sounds about right. 40 miles on battery, and recharge while driving with the efficient gas generator (Diesel would be even more efficient) on the EPA city cycle. Remember it is not hundreds of miles driving, but instead a cycle of stop and go and city speed traffic. The city cycle is only 11 miles, which the Volt could do with zero gasoline use. From what I read, they assumed the car drove the 11 mile city cycle after depleting the battery (40 miles), and used the total 51 miles as the distance driven. If they used 0.22 gallons for the 11 miles (and 51 as well), then they got about 230 mpg. If you drive 17 miles to work each way, then you will not use any gas and get "infinite" mileage until you drive more than 40 miles on a charge. Some interesting links to read in detail: http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?719-Volt-Simulation-EPA-City-AER-Plot http://www.leapcad.com/Transportation.html
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,732 Points:638,320 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2011 1:29:29 PM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse 230 MPG? Must have been a lot of down-hill costing - like down the side of a mountain.
powerme Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,506 Points:498,310 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2010 11:24:47 AM Ignore powerme Report Abuse Ford is rolling out there new one this new year.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 17, 2010 10:52:16 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "Expenses are higher of course but don't forget, NYC has its own money system. People make triple, quadruple and more there from what they'd earn in the heartland." While this is true, they also pay NYC prices as well. Car insurance is double, real estate can be quadruple... Bottom-line is that this first generation Volt was not intended to outsell the Prius.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2010 10:55:59 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse <<<Have you ever lived in a city? Having experienced NYC I can tell you that many prefer not to own a vehicle at all given the additional costs of parking, insurance, etc. when public transportation is readily available (when needed).>>> . . .NYC is kind of a special case, but even there plenty of people own cars. I've got half a dozen acquaintances in NYC and they all own cars. Brooklyn, Astoria, Queens, Riverside Dr. , and even 2 downtown. Expenses are higher of course but don't forget, NYC has its own money system. People make triple, quadruple and more there from what they'd earn in the heartland.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2010 7:09:30 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse The cost of the charging station has been estimated anywhere from $400 to $2,500. I guess if you live in an apartment, this might not be an opportune time to purchase a Volt, huh? Have you ever lived in a city? Having experienced NYC I can tell you that many prefer not to own a vehicle at all given the additional costs of parking, insurance, etc. when public transportation is readily available (when needed). I love people that come up with these specific 'what-if' examples. Silly...
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,196 Points:133,625 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2010 10:45:13 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse Another factor no one is mentioning is the cost of the charging station. I expect a figure of around $2000 to install a 240 volt or higher receptacle at the driveway. Assuming you have your own home that is. . . What about the people who rent an apartment? Is the tenant or the landlord willing to invest in a charging station? And if you live in a high rise? Or how about in a major city where you have no driveway, just on street parking?
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2010 11:03:39 AM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "There are still too many problems for me to call it viable." I certainly would not say that the Volt (and its technolgy) is ready to replace the IC engine yet - as you say, it is not ready for prime time yet. With that being said, cars like the Volt will help engineers in the future to create vehicles that will be ready to replace the IC engine basedon lessons learned from these early generation EV vehicles.
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2010 9:37:23 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse I am looking for the article on the repair costs. Anyway. Electric cars are notorious for little repairs...Allot of little repairs. My brother is in an electric car club. ""Not necessarily. Commute fewer than 40 miles round trip? No gas needed... Electricity is MUCH cheaper than gas, especially when using off-peak hours."" Maybe the traffic out in Cincinnati is a little better than NJ. 40 miles here is not 40 minuets. Its more like 1 hour 15 min. All that sitting in traffic will use some electric ( radio, wipers, headlights, etc ) You are going to need gas in the car or you are going to get stuck on the road. ""Hybrids are the same idea, expensive ways to save a little money, yet they remain a viable sales option."" Electric battery technology is not quite there yet. lead / Acid batteries ware out every few years in a regular car that is only using it to start the engine. Constant charge / Discharge / Charge / Discharge will kill them allot quicker. Yes. They use allot less gasoline. There are still too many problems for me to call it viable.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2010 11:33:56 AM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "It is estimated to have a repair / upkeep cost of somewhere between 3 or 4 X that of a regular gas engine car the 1st 5 years." - How has this been determined? "on top of stopping at the gas station to get gas for the generator." - Not necessarily. Commute fewer than 40 miles round trip? No gas needed... Electricity is MUCH cheaper than gas, especially when using off-peak hours. "Volt is an expensive way to save a little money." - Hybrids are the same idea, expensive ways to save a little money, yet they remain a viable sales option. While I agree the Volt is going to be cost prohibitive when it is launched, the hope is that subsequent generations will have not only a lower manufacturing costs but also extended range as battery technology continues to improve. The Volt is the next step in the evolution of the Hybrid... If the manufacturers don't push the envelope the consumer will be stuck with the same technology indefinitely.
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2010 8:59:37 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse Volt is an expensive way to save a little money. It is estimated to have a repair / upkeep cost of somewhere between 3 or 4 X that of a regular gas engine car the 1st 5 years. Being that its initial cost is allot more then a gas car. You still need to plug it in when you get home every night on top of stopping at the gas station to get gas for the generator. DUH......Typical GM Thinking. Don't get me wrong I Like GM . Some of the cars....But to me this one is a VERY DIM BULB.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2010 10:14:28 AM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse "Dim Bulb = Nice for atmosphere but You can't get anything done with it." That's not what she said...
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2010 10:12:33 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse Dim Bulb = Nice for atmosphere but You can't get anything done with it.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,946 Points:313,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 23, 2010 3:09:36 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse Dim Bulb = Low Cost To Operate
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 22, 2010 8:50:56 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse New Volt = Dim Bulb
Sonic79 Rookie Author New Hampshire Posts:8 Points:5,300 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2010 11:34:04 PM Ignore Sonic79 Report Abuse Volt was made for a commuter definitly not for going long distances. Thats why i would never get one.
cajon Veteran Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:492 Points:437,145 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2010 7:42:38 AM Ignore cajon Report Abuse You still have to plug it in. Electricity is not cheap in Ontario. As of July 1st, the government added another 8% to the tax on electricity, bringing the sales tax to 13%. There are also charges for Delivery, "Regulatory Charges", and "Debt Retirement Charge" as well as for the electricity itself. All of these items have 13% sales tax applied to them. The Volt is not going to be popular in Ontario.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,122 Points:1,823,100 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2010 1:15:56 PM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse well, at 41K sounds like a real loser... this will not be gm's saviour, at least not this year since they are only selling it in selected areas, limiting to 11K cars for 1st year, one of the states being Michigan ... Leasing doesn't sound bad at $350/month.... Wonder when they will sell in other states... [Edited by: reb4 at 7/28/2010 1:17:26 PM EST]
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2010 9:08:36 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse BTW I hope everyone here understand that the Volt is not exactly 100% electric. The car itself will only run on electric. The batteries will hold enough power for a 40 mile range. After that there is a small gas generator the generates enough power to run the car for another 350 to 400 miles. Technically it is a hybrid vehicle but it will only move under electric power.
cobalt19 Rookie Author Missouri Posts:3 Points:7,115 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2010 1:02:55 AM Ignore cobalt19 Report Abuse its going to be a super expensive car, only way id get it is if the price at some point comes way down.
americanmade1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:7,804 Points:1,197,775 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2010 4:50:09 PM Ignore americanmade1 Report Abuse They may be expensive at first but then mass production WILL BRING THE PRICE DOWN...
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2009 9:06:10 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1018197_next-generation-chevy-volt-msrp-targeted-at-20000 "It appears GM is working hard in their future development primarily to bring the cost of the car down, since the initial versions are likely to be priced close to $40,000." $40,000 is WAY out of my price range
GMVAN Champion Author Calgary Posts:6,755 Points:1,398,530 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2009 3:44:21 AM Ignore GMVAN Report Abuse I would like a chevy volt,but its the price.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,541 Points:2,837,265 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2009 3:43:17 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "I did not know the Volt had a small gas engine to extend the range? I thought it was 100% electric. Went to this web site... http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/text deleted Basic range is only 40 miles..... I travel 42 miles 1 way to work........Not for me." The Volt is an electric vehicle. The small gas engine charges the batteries to extend the range to 300 miles. You travel 84 miles a day so that would be 40 miles on battery power and 44 miles on battery power from the generator/battery utilizing the engine. Of course, if you could charge it at work it would be almost all battery power without using the engine. I'm not sure the Volt would be practical for me but I like the concept....a high mileage electric vehicle that has the flexibility to go far longer distances than most electric vehicles.
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Aug 27, 2009 8:56:26 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse I did not know the Volt had a small gas engine to extend the range? I thought it was 100% electric. Went to this web site... http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/text deleted Basic range is only 40 miles..... I travel 42 miles 1 way to work........Not for me.
FuelPump Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:21,471 Points:3,415,975 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2009 8:04:34 PM Ignore FuelPump Report Abuse If it uses only electric for city driving, why would it use any fuel in the city? As far as range, I believe the plan is, once the batteries discharge to a pre set point, estimates I have seen are about 40 miles, the gasoline engine starts up and will recharge them. I would guess if you were running the AC or heater, you would also need the gasoline engine running too. Anyone have any more details?
PopcornPirate Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,910 Points:1,172,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2009 9:00:15 AM Ignore PopcornPirate Report Abuse OK I will admit the Volt looks cool... It does not have the range. Remember any MPG or volts/mile that Detroit says....Is not true.
2004VHO Champion Author Texas Posts:5,231 Points:1,403,600 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2009 5:12:17 PM Ignore 2004VHO Report Abuse I say "you got to start somewhere". I like the Volt ideal, heck, the car looks good too!! =o)
BT1288 Champion Author Lincoln Posts:22,107 Points:1,424,360 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 12, 2009 1:35:22 AM Ignore BT1288 Report Abuse They only go 40-50 miles on a charge. Oh yeah, they're only going to cost $40,000+.