2014 Chevrolet Volt

[Sterling Silver]

Dennis...
Your comments were in my head (in regard to Chevrolet making a different car "a porker as I call them" because there are people who would buy them)... For me, the Volt (even though FoxNews slammed it) is perfect for Republicans, because with the wad of cash they would be saving at the pump (as I am) they could buy more stock or bonds or investments in what ever they like. For those on the left, they are making contributions in carbon reductions and movement to renewable energy... I like both aspects of what my Volt (as designed by GM) does, saving me dough at the pump, and allowing me to refuse contributing to oil producers (OPEC) who don't really like us... Reducing carbon into the environment is a plus... and driving my dogs nuts because I now drive up to my farm in a car they can't hear unless I toot the horn, is a "hoot" for me as well and my goats still haven't figured out what my Volt is, but are disinterested because noting on it is edible... (lot's of stuff in the Volt is, however recyclable though...)

[drbruns]

I am never ceased to be amazed by people who vote against their self interests whether it is due to ignorance or prejudice.

[dgb40356]

On Voltstat.net my ev% is 93 but I would still like to see and increase to the range in my next Volt to about 60. I would like to be able to run the AC/Heater without having to worry about shortening my range to much. I bought the Volt to not use gas and if I need to I can for extended trips. It would be nice to have more range for the weekend when I make several trips without enough time in between to recharge.

[Jacob]

I think GM is absolutely on the right track when they theorized that 40 miles would cover the majority of owners daily commute. But I think they should also factor in weather and degradation. I hope they continue to improve efficiency and battery chemistry incrementally to about a 45 mile EPA rating without adding weight. Trying to go much more would not give much return on investment unless there was a big breakthrough in batteries.

The sales tactic for prius is that you commute more then a 100 miles regularly your better off with a prius. This is something GM could change with better highway mpg from the engine. Getting a larger customer base is an important part of increasing volume and being able to decrease price.

[FutureVoltDude]

100 Mile EREV is the answer. Period.

Well I'll be the "Minority" and agree with you!...someone said that it woudl be bad for the engine because it would be used so infrequently, but thast not true, all you ahve to do is not plug the car in every night and you'll use the batteries charge so you can plug it in every 2, 3 or 4 days...and just run the ICE once in a while...the only difference with a 40 miles vs 100 mile range is that you ahve more optiosn with the 100 mile range.

[ptarp]

50 miles of battery range would be enough. Couldn't convice my brother-in-law to get a volt for his wife because she has to drive 20 miles to her work.
With my current winter range of 30 to 32 miles, it won't save what they want to save since she can't plug in after she gets there. I do think with her last 8 miles being on gas, they would still be saving, but until they see some hard numbers with better results, they probably won't buy one.

[doudis2]

50 miles of battery range would be enough. Couldn't convice my brother-in-law to get a volt for his wife because she has to drive 20 miles to her work.
With my current winter range of 30 to 32 miles, it won't save what they want to save since she can't plug in after she gets there. I do think with her last 8 miles being on gas, they would still be saving, but until they see some hard numbers with better results, they probably won't buy one.

I agree 50 miles would be more than enough for me as well as if it were rated at 50, it would probably actually get 60+ with very little effort. I'm hoping for a more realistic jump up to 40, as rated by the EPA, then I know I could make my 42.1 (one way) commute entirely on EV only.