2013 Volt on order, what to do now??

[MsKitty4]

It seems like forever, but it will happen and then you'll be very happy. I'd vote for getting a 240 charger installed at home. It's just a real convenience being able to pull in, plug in, and be able to run more gas-free errands in less than an hour. Also consider lobbying your workplace, local transportation department, and shopping malls to install chargers.

[drbruns]

I suggest checking out the charger location apps, like plugshare.com and review the available level 2 charging sites near the areas you work, shop, or otherwise travel to. You can then assess places and routes that might offer you some opportunity charging while you are out and about.

There is an OnStar user guide that you can download and review as well. Since you are getting a 2013 model, it will have MyLink, which is a separate user guide for the model year 2012. I would review these along with the 2012 user guide as previously suggested.

[KnoxVolt]

Wow! Thanks for all the great input everyone! I can see already this community is really great.

There are definitely some things there I would not have thought of like downloading a manual and checking/upgrading my existing power outlets/circuits ahead of time. Thanks for those tips!

I have already contacted ecotality/SPX about the availability of a "free" 240V charger installed in my garage. Apparently they cannot proceed on that for me until I have a VIN# on my new car so I am waiting on that for now.

Someone (a couple people actually) here mentioned getting a "level 2 EVSE" is a good idea. I don't really know what that is but I am guessing that is the 240V charger that would come from SPX? Or is that something else I would need to get/buy?

I contacted my local utility to ask about the availability of "Time of Use" rates but that is not an option in my area. They said, "We've had a few people ask about that lately and we're thinking about it" almost like, "Wow, what an interesting idea! We hadn't thought of that!".

slickbrave - Yeah, the Tennessee $2500 rebate did expire on June 30. I was bummed about that! But my dealer contacted me yesterday to tell me it has actually been extended to the end of this year! So that was great news!

I saw the suggestion of getting a heavy gauge extension cord (12 gauge/50') to keep in the car for opportunity charging here and there. The car comes with a charger for connecting to 120V outlets. Nothing else needed there right? Except maybe a padlock in case I want to try and secure the charger as I have seen mentioned in some posts elsewhere on this forum.

I'm so glad you all responded because I now have some things I can do to pass the time till my new car arrives and it will all feel productive towards that fun day.

Thanks!

[2013 Volt]

I ordered an SPX Blink Charger and had it installed by SPX with just an order number in May under the free charger program. Funny enough, SPX just called me last Friday stating they needed the Volts VIN or I would have to reimburse them for the charger and install ($2,500). I explained that I ordered a 2013 Volt and it wont arrive until August. They still wanted a VIN and lucky for me, my 2013 Volt was built on June 7, 2012 and I had a VIN to give them. Once they got the VIN, they were happy. So I recommend doing it when you get the VIN because that scared me for a whole weekend.

The electrician in May even told me that he has installed many chargers through SPX and never heard of a customer like myself getting a charger without actually having an electric vehicle. I think SPX may be rapping up their program and are trying to install as many as they can at this point. From what I understand, the SPX grant / program has already been extended and is finally scheduled to end in April of 2013, which means there's only a few months left to take advantage of this charger program.

[gieso]

Keep checking gmconnects.com. Your VIN will show up there when the car is painted.
Check with SPX and see if they will accept an order number to get the process started. My experience is that it will take a while to get them to do the quote properly and setup a local electrician. After that, things went smooth for me. Of course, they are expensive, but if you qualify for the "free" one, it is worth it.

A Level 2 EVSE is a 240V "charger" like SPX.

I am in the same situatioon of having no TOU in my area. Keep hammering them so they add this capability. Most municipalities seem to think it is a good idea to offer it.

[drbruns]

Once your status on gmconnects hits 3800, you will have a VIN and should be able to see your window sticker.

I placed my order with SPX when I ordered my Volt and it was good enough. I did have to call them back when I had the VIN, but I was able to have the charger in place when I brought my Volt home.

[KnoxVolt]

...check the breaker used for the 120V circuit - make sure it is 15A (and not 20A). If you have a shared circuit with a garage refrigerator or other high-draw appliances, maybe pull a new circuit for the charging .

Ok, I checked the circuit in my garage which powers all of the outlets. There are 8 outlets in the garage all on one 20A breaker. We do not (and do not intend to) have a refrigerator or freezer in our garage so we will never have that draw on the circuit. Plus we will be getting a 220V charger from SPX as soon as we can, so using the 120V circuit is temporary. Oh also, that 120V circuit does have a GFCI plug in the loop already. It's the first outlet right next to the main breaker box (right there in the garage).

Question... Why would you suggest the breaker should be 15A instead of 20A? I would think 20A is better, but then, I am NOT an electician. Should I be swapping that 20A out and replacing it with a 15A even for our temporary usage?

Thanks.

[droberts]

Thank you for all the information. Like KnoxVolt, i am also waiting for my volt 2013 that I ordered on July 4.
Bonaire mentioned about making sure the circuit breaker is 15Amp (not 20AMP). I have 20Amp in my garage. Will that be a problem?

[montgom626]

Ok, I /We do not (and do not intend to) have a refrigerator or freezer in our garage so we will never have that draw on the circuit.

You are smarter than most. In 90% of the places in this country, it is bad idea to put a frig/freezer in any garage unless it is conditioned space.

[Knox]

slickbrave - Yeah, the Tennessee $2500 rebate did expire on June 30. I was bummed about that! But my dealer contacted me yesterday to tell me it has actually been extended to the end of this year! So that was great news!

I think the reason it was extended is that they had trouble finding eligible applicants. The rebate only applied to individuals who purchased, and since most people lease they had problems giving it away. When I bought my Volt in December 2012 the dealer said it was the first Volt they had sold. In any case, I signed up in December, had the Blink installed in January, and I got my sweet $2500 check last week.