Comments on: What Will it Cost To Drive a Chevy Volt?

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:38:45 +0000

I fly electric models with lithion ion batteries. You are supposed to take them out of models when charging and charge them in a fire proof case. If they are damaged in a crash, they need to be placed in a fire proof case and watched closely. Lithium ion batteries store a lot of energy, and burn VERY hot and VERY fast. Don’t really want to be sitting on a huge one of those after a crash, or have them charging unsupervised in my garage while I sleep. They will make the Pinto look safe. That being said, I do agree that they are the future, but we are YEARS away from being cost effective and safe. The VOLT is probably going to be the equivalent of a $16K car for $40K (in terms of ride, power, interior quality) – that buys a LOT of gas.

By: Benjamine

Benjamine — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:27:29 +0000

dam! Dis blog rocks!! i just love it.. iT sure does makes me feel ALIVE!!!!

By: Bill Groves

Bill Groves — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:14:31 +0000

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the volt is DOA unless the price of gas is much higher than today. Why else would gm have such a distant target date.
The cost of mechanical energy at the wheels of a car is about 15cents per kwh with gas at $2.25/gallon.
Here in MA electricity is 18 cents per kwh at my house.
Given, The charging process is not 100% efficient and given
The conversion to mechanical energy via the electric motor from the battery is not 100% efficient, then
I would estimate the cost to me of getting my expensive electricity to the wheels of a VOLT to be more than 25 cents per kwh after the inefficiencies of charging the batteries and running the electric motor.
SO, 15cents vs 25 cents gasoline wins…… Gas wins. And a Honda Civic hybrid will probably cost 30 to 50 percent less than the VOLT.
Secondly and more importantly if Toyota or Honda adapts their hybrids to a bigger battery to go some distanse before the gas motor must run, they will cream the VOLT, since they use the motor to drive the wheels so the cost of mechanical energy for them is more like 15 cents per kwh (at $2.25 per gallon). They will run the gas motor when gas is cheap.
Thirdly, if we bail out GM with direct injection of cash, that will not spur the production of a single car. I suggest the government should allow a $2000 tax credit to buy a us manufactured auto in order to spur production, to keep the wheels turning so to speak. More workers working is what is needed to support gm’s hurting retire benefit plan. Also it might be pointed out that there is generally more than $2000 of sales and excise taxes on a new vehicle, so spurring production is much better than just spending the money. If the cars are not built, the tax shortfall from these sales and excise tax will be felt elsewhere at the state level and require more goverment subsidy. What a mess.

By: Jonathan B

Jonathan B — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:03:21 +0000

I find it interesting how oil has been defined as evil in this country. Most American’s love nature and love the environment, but don’t want to destroy our economy on the junk science of global warming. As we continue to see the average temperatures drop, these views on global warming will change. However, I hope the GM VOLT does well, however it still hasn’t solved the issue most Americans have. Most people who need an energy efficient car do not have 40k to throw down. Heck, many American’s can’t afford to replace the car they already own!! I drive a Jeep, is the government going to tell me that I cannot drive my jeep anymore by forcing gas prices even higher then they were this summer? I take my motorcycle as much as I can during warm weather, but when is it going to get too expensive to even ride that?? Hybrid technology is already running into problems due to the cost and limited life of the batteries. I believe dropping the internal combustion engine in place of something less practical is a disservice to science and technology. Hydrogen is the key, and we should be putting all of our efforts towards that technology. I guess many of you on the east and west coast don’t go on road trips? 40 miles won’t get you very far. Also, don’t forget our planes require fuel for their jet engines.

By: H

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:21:16 +0000

The adjoining web-site describes an all electric conversion and sounds very rosy, so, why doesn’t GM make an all electric model ?? I think most people are just waiting for a inexpensive commuter model because approx 70% of employees live within 20 miles of their work place. That is what I am waiting for. The VOLT will be the family car for longer trips..