Just brought home my new volt. What's next?

[bonaire]

You may get into some "trouble" with the apartment complex using an outdoor plug they have there that is not assigned to a unit. Some folks here had to get into deal-making with some condo owners and apartment complexes where they shut down their "public charging" situation.

[MrEnergyCzar]

Don't spend the few hundred a month you used to spend on gas and bank it for the future right from day one...

MrEnergyCzar

[KyleH]

You may want to consider a 12 gauge or better (lower number is better), extension cord. Sears had it onsale a few weeks for $25. on a 50ft. Keep in mind it may warm a little, so it should be extended to allow to cool. (I tried a regular extension cord for gardening, and the evse will not work.) I personally just keep mine in the car so I can charge at remote places such as hotels, friends places, etc.

If your electric meter is nearby for you to plug in, you may want to try the following. In some apartment complex, there may be an extra plug available at your meter to use tools outside. If not, you may want to see if there is an electrical outlet for you to plug in. You may want to check with the apartment if you can pay extra to get an outlet installed (if anything, they may not object if you are wiling to pay for it). If that is available, consider asking the electrcian to install it with a enclosure that you can put a padlock on. Get a quote, but I do not think it would cost that much.

Also, consider getting a lock and search on this thread on how to loop the charging cord with the lock. Consider at least a simple lock, there have been reports that allegedly stolen chargers are appearing on ebay for $100-200, now.

If you can plug from your house, and use an extension cord to the car, consider plugging it in a gfi outlet to ensure it will not be overloaded--but I think the Volt has a GFI switch. You should pay attention to the charging on the first few times to make sure that the wall or conduit does not get warm. Unfortunately, using a 110V will take about 10 hours to charge. If it cannot draw a full current (aka 4 green bars), it may take 20 hours to charge on 2 green bars.

On the other hand, if you have access to a free 240v charging at work, that may be a great solution. Otherwise, some charging "networks" have monthly programs. Here in Texas, evGo has installed their network, and for $79/mo you get access to all of the chargers with electricity included. I will not pay, the $79/mo is ridiculous for me--I can charge overnight at home at 110V for $1.10. However, it may be worth it for some if they arrive to work with an empty charge or if they are BEV instead of EREV.

-KyleH

Thank you for a great suggestion. I live in an apartment complex, so I am not even sure how I am going to charge it with 110V regular outlet yet. There is no outlet next to my parking spot, so I will have to try to switch parking spots with someone who has an electric outlet next to their parking spot (I think there maybe 2 spots like that in the whole garage). After I figure that part out, I will start thinking about permanent 240V installation. Good plan?

[Cord]

check onstar offers for cell rates if you plan on using the in car phone.

Think there is a Divix code you have to register on-line as well.

At apartment -- start by using the 8 amp setting on the charger cord- You can up to 12 amps later WHEN you know where the breaker RESET switch is located. The last thing you want is to black-out the parking lot lights.

[jaksecret]

yeah, i can't believe the first answer wasn't "Why are you on the internet and not out doing 0-60s in sport mode??????" Yes, yes, voltstats is great, the manual is great, but its all a distraction from the awesomeness of the car itself. rjdoc- last evening as the sun was setting i drove my volt up lynx pass in Colorado- a slick dirt road with a million blind corners and drop-offs, going a little faster than I should have, letting the VSC and low gear save me from my speed on the corners, blasting up the valley with only the noise of rocks under the tires and the rush of wind. THIS is the thing you should be doing with your Volt!

[rjdoc74]

That sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing!

yeah, i can't believe the first answer wasn't "Why are you on the internet and not out doing 0-60s in sport mode??????" Yes, yes, voltstats is great, the manual is great, but its all a distraction from the awesomeness of the car itself. rjdoc- last evening as the sun was setting i drove my volt up lynx pass in Colorado- a slick dirt road with a million blind corners and drop-offs, going a little faster than I should have, letting the VSC and low gear save me from my speed on the corners, blasting up the valley with only the noise of rocks under the tires and the rush of wind. THIS is the thing you should be doing with your Volt!