Hi - I'm moving back to Europe at the end of the year and so will need to buy a car at some stage. We will need to regularly make a 1,700-1,800km round trip once or twice a month, but will probably only clock up 30-80km a week during normal use.


Has anyone here had, or know of a write up regarding, long-distance travelling in the Volt?
Is it comfortable enough for an 8-9 hour drive?
How is the fuel economy over such a long non-stop stretch?


I'm interested to know as I need more information in order to discern whether the Volt would the right choice of vehicle.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If you want to break the 100 MPG barrier (which is the minimum in my book to make this car worth it) you need to drive at least 60% of your total miles on electric. Looks like a VW TDI would be a better choice for your long trips and an electric or regular bicycle or golf cart for your in town miles. The Volt is definitely NOT the vehicle for you.

George is right about pure economic terms (although, wait, not necessarily).
Anyway, early adopters are not likely to buy a Volt purely on the cost of gasoline (although the cost of gas in Europe is a whole different thing). The ride and comfort of the Volt is alleged to be VERY good, comparable to a BMW. Fuel economy for an 8-9 hour drive will be probably in the high 30's (unless it is on the autobahn, a bit lower).
Another issue - cost of getting one shipped to Europe. And what if service is needed in Europe? If you could buy an Ampera in Europe that might be easierl.

Hey thanks for the replies. My key concern is comfort to minimise fatigue on the 7 odd hour trips.

I'm pretty sure that the Volt will be released in Germany shortly after the release in the US, but it will then be with an Opel badge on
it. And then hopefully with a diesel and not a petrol engine.

The Opel Ampera is already thoroughly spec'd out and even had its pricing announced two weeks ago. More info here (http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?5581-Pricing-announced-for-Opel-Ampera-42-900-euro-%E2%80%93-that%E2%80%99s-just-over-US-58-500).