2 EVs? Or 1 plus a reserve gas car.

[jbfalaska]

After 5 years cohabitating here at the GM Volt site, I'm an owner. Gave away my Buick Regal and bought this. I still have my Lincoln MKX, which believe this or not was bought for "good gas mileage" getting 20 MPG. Seems almost like an gas alcholic now. But for Winter driving, this car will keep me feeling safe. I am looking at trading off for a Tesla S, which has the airlift system. Tesla appears to have decided on this feature to raise the chassis by 1-1/2 inches as high as to 8", meaning you can go through deep snow, over dippy driveways. Of course, it's real wheel drive, with a center weight in the car. Pros and cons to everything. Still, if the Volt goes well this Winter, that my be a reasonable 2nd EV. I just don't feel like gas cars at all - it's a military thing for me.

NO FOREIGN OIL is my preference. All my power tools are now electric.

[Koz]

If you are interested in Tesla and don't have a reservation yet, you should consider a Model X. It will will have all wheel drive and more clearance. The Volt should serve you well for all but the worst winter days according to posts from the last two winters. You can have the soft front flap air dam removed for the winter.

[jbfalaska]

True, but adds about $25,000 to the price. (Heavier battery, and 2 addl electric motors in the front)

[Steverino]

I just don't feel like gas cars at all - it's a military thing for me.

NO FOREIGN OIL is my preference. All my power tools are now electric.

I always find it very odd when Volt-haters try to paint Volt owners as "greenies", and "tree huggers". Though I think the Volt may be attractive to those markets and I personally see nothing wrong with filling that need, my experience is Volt owners are just as much if not more concerned with energy security, balance of payments, and stopping the flow of dollars to oil governments like Venezuela, Iran, etc.

As others have said, the electricity for my car did not require one soldier to risk their life protecting it. Nor do we need to fight a war over electricity. This car is not Democrat or Republican. It's American, and BOTH parties should get behind it.

[Koz]

True, but adds about $25,000 to the price. (Heavier battery, and 2 addl electric motors in the front)

Did they announce option pricing for the Model X?

[JulieJoule]

I always find it very odd when Volt-haters try to paint Volt owners as "greenies", and "tree huggers". Though I think the Volt may be attractive to those markets and I personally see nothing wrong with filling that need, my experience is Volt owners are just as much if not more concerned with energy security, balance of payments, and stopping the flow of dollars to oil governments like Venezuela, Iran, etc.

As others have said, the electricity for my car did not require one soldier to risk their life protecting it. Nor do we need to fight a war over electricity. This car is not Democrat or Republican. It's American, and BOTH parties should get behind it.

Amen, brother!

[KyleH]

I am still part of the thinking that nuclear power is still cleaner and cheaper. One day, when we will have the technology to completely recycle the waste and manage the reaction more skillfully, it will be a different world.

Whether, nuclear, shale-gas, "green" coal, solar/wind, etc, I think the Volt will make a significant landmark in history books of vehicles as the model T. A pivital invention that will change current thinkings and behaviors of society / mankind.

-KyleH

I always find it very odd when Volt-haters try to paint Volt owners as "greenies", and "tree huggers". Though I think the Volt may be attractive to those markets and I personally see nothing wrong with filling that need, my experience is Volt owners are just as much if not more concerned with energy security, balance of payments, and stopping the flow of dollars to oil governments like Venezuela, Iran, etc.

....

[bonaire]

A BEV in winter would lower mileage with the current technology of the cells going into the Tesla. We don't know anyone yet with a Model-S, and X isn't shipping yet. There are some new technologies in batteries allowing them to operate well into lower temps in winter and higher in summer, but don't expect them in cars for a couple years. So, an EV buyer for a Tesla would have to consider upping the size of the battery pack if they wanted "summer miles" in the winter (buying the additional pack and not the base-model). I'd like to see how the Model-S fares after one year. Some potential buyers of the Volt are still waiting on seeing if the technology makes it past 50K miles before they buy (waiting for owners to report how things are doing after 50K+). The Tesla models are "not a cheap car" so be prepared to pay a good amount to get into one. I figure $70K or higher.

[SharkVolt]

You may get pleasantly surprised at the Volt's capability in snow/shush/ice etc. even with the spoiler on. (I think it foldes up enough to clear so the car doesn't easily get highsided. )

[Zythryn]

A BEV in winter would lower mileage with the current technology of the cells going into the Tesla. We don't know anyone yet with a Model-S, and X isn't shipping yet. There are some new technologies in batteries allowing them to operate well into lower temps in winter and higher in summer...

The lower winter range is not due to the way the batteries handle the cold, it is the increased demand on them.
The heater in BEVs are powered by electricity and take a lot of power.
Driving on snow has a much higher rolling resistance than driving on dry pavement.

Thes two factors can drop the range from 20% to 40% pretty easily depending upon the severity of your winters.

We are also looking at the same question as the OP. when our Volt lease is up in just over 2 years, we plan to have a Model S and will be deciding if we get another extended range vehicle like the Volt, or a second BEV.

That being said, in our first winter the Volt handled it wonderfully