Huge Problem! Help! Charging the Volt in SF

[Fulgerite]

Let this be a lesson. Before you purchase an EV or a Volt you need to research how you will charge the vehicle. Don't buy an EV if you can't charge it.

[ITestStuff]

Overall, the Volt is a much better car than the Prius. The Prius does have more room & if you don't include the Volt's 40 EV miles it's a bit better, but it's not much better in those areas. The Volt is quiet, smooth, better appointed and not a rattle/econo box and that is "true even without a charger".

You kinda forgot the part about the Prius getting significantly better mileage on ICE. And are you seriously calling a Prius a rattle/econo box? LOL As for the Volt being "better appointed", it's also "better priced"

[Dan & Nan]

You kinda forgot the part about the Prius getting significantly better mileage on ICE.

I did?

The Prius does have more room & if you don't include the Volt's 40 EV miles it's a bit better, but it's not much better in those areas.

We get 40-42 CS MPG, the Prius is around 48-52. I wouldn't call 8mpg "significantly better"

And are you seriously calling a Prius a rattle/econo box? LOL As for the Volt being "better appointed", it's also "better priced"

The PiP (which gets a minimal tax credit because of it's tiny battery) is very similarly priced since a 45K Volt would be $32K with tax credit and has 0.9 financing. Even a Prius 4 isn't that far from a Volt. And, yes, they're absolutely rattle/econoboxes.

[Fulgerite]

You kinda forgot the part about the Prius getting significantly better mileage on ICE. And are you seriously calling a Prius a rattle/econo box? LOL As for the Volt being "better appointed", it's also "better priced"

Well let's see... The Volt is much quieter. The Volt silently accelerates from 0-60 quicker. The Volt has a lower center of gravity & handles better. The Volt is safer. (5 star safety rating.) The Volt has OnStar. I can go on all day...

[larry4pyro]

I think this is a problem we will see more and more as electrification continues. IMHO we need the cities, the utilities and the Federal government to provide incentives to assist in getting EVSCs into apartment and condo garages. For example, separate meters for electric cars, or EV spaces owned by the condo or apartment, where the users are charged for both the space and the electricity they use.

[dscali]

[Lagadog]"First, I'd like to say that I don't think it's necessary for the people on this forum to second guess your purchasing the Volt. My circumstances are not the most amenable to owning a Volt, but I know my circumstances better than any of the people on this forum.

In my opinion, regardless of whether you have regular access to a charger, the Volt is still a very competent car. It's still at least as good as a Prius, so it's not like you've chosen poorly. My suggestion is to not stress over it too much. It seems like many people who purchased a Volt did so for the pissing contest element (i.e., they want to see just how much they can make it a pure EV), to the point that they rent or borrow another car for longer than AER trips. Just drive the car knowing that it is a great car.

And while you're not stressing about it, talk to your HOA and employers about getting charging stations installed. In both cases, it adds to the property value of the building. Do your research first, so you know exactly what incentives and breaks there are for installing these chargers. If you can present your HOA and your employer with documents that will prove just how valuable it is to make EV charging available, I think you'll find those chargers in place sooner rather than later.

Of course, all the while, you'll have to settle for a paltry 35/40 mpg."[/I]

I just want to say thank you for your response. It was down to either the prius or the volt and the tax incentives was awesome and it we got a great limited time value for the car which is why we ended up purchasing sooner rather than later. I appreciated your response in comparison to some other people's "unhelpful" comments. Not too stressed out yet...

We already revoked the 60 day love it or leave it during our purchase as part of the purchasers' discount. Not planning to return it. Will likely by a home and move out of the city in a year or so so this problem is temporary.

Am approaching the condo manager and need to fill out a whole bunch of paper work to get approval for outlet install in our own park spot. may take 3-6 months.

Thanks to those for the helpful post suggestions.

Do you or anyone else know if there are any portable rechargeable power generator that can help charge it for just a short period of time?

Thanks!

[Dan & Nan]

I just want to say thank you for your response. It was down to either the prius or the volt and the tax incentives was awesome and it we got a great limited time value for the car which is why we ended up purchasing sooner rather than later. I appreciated your response in comparison to some other people's "unhelpful" comments. Not too stressed out yet...

Do you or anyone else know if there are any portable rechargeable power generator that can help charge it for just a short period of time?

Thanks!

I really don't know what the point would be since the on-board generator is probably more effecient, but you could always buy a Honda generator. They're quiet and perform well, but expensive. Really though, I'd just use the on-board generator or return it if you can't charge it.

If you want to, you could always use mountain mode to build a charge.

[ITestStuff]

We get 40-42 CS MPG, the Prius is around 48-52. I wouldn't call 8mpg "significantly better".

Interesting perspective that I think only a person that's driven an electric car would have Others might see it as a 20% improvement in mileage. Different perspectives I guess. BTW, the EPA ratings are 51/48 for the Prius, 40/35 for the Volt, which would be an even larger difference.

The PiP (which gets a minimal tax credit because of it's tiny battery) is very similarly priced since a 45K Volt would be $32K with tax credit and has 0.9 financing.

I was discussing the Prius, not the PIP since we're talking about a scenario where the OP can't have a charger. A $45k Volt is $37.5k after the federal tax credit. A Prius Five is $29.8k. Now you might not think 8mpg is significant, but how about almost $8k? If that is not a lot to you, please let me know if you're looking to adopt!

[Ladogaboy]

I just want to say thank you for your response. It was down to either the prius or the volt and the tax incentives was awesome and it we got a great limited time value for the car which is why we ended up purchasing sooner rather than later. I appreciated your response in comparison to some other people's "unhelpful" comments. Not too stressed out yet...

We already revoked the 60 day love it or leave it during our purchase as part of the purchasers' discount. Not planning to return it. Will likely by a home and move out of the city in a year or so so this problem is temporary.

Am approaching the condo manager and need to fill out a whole bunch of paper work to get approval for outlet install in our own park spot. may take 3-6 months.

Thanks to those for the helpful post suggestions.

Do you or anyone else know if there are any portable rechargeable power generator that can help charge it for just a short period of time?

Thanks!

No problem. It sounds like you and I were of a similar mindset when purchasing the Volt. My current situation doesn't allow me to charge regularly, but even as a "plain hybrid," I'm getting ~ 45 mpg combined. Could I do better in a Prius? Probably, but the Volt is a better car for me (even without the regular charging).

That being said, my situation could change radically at any time now, and if it does, the Volt will still be a superior car to the Prius.

In regards to the portable charger: I wouldn't bother. The internal ICE/generator for the Volt is good enough (and probably more efficient than an external generator). The amount you'd pay, the hassle, etc. just isn't worth it. I just put two gallons in my Volt the other day, so I'm good for another 100 miles of driving.

[Dan & Nan]

I was discussing the Prius, not the PIP since we're talking about a scenario where the OP can't have a charger. A $45k Volt is $37.5k after the federal tax credit. A Prius Five is $29.8k. Now you might not think 8mpg is significant, but how about almost $8k? If that is not a lot to you, please let me know if you're looking to adopt!

No room for you here, look elsewhere.

BTW, if you're paying sticker for a Volt you have bigger problems than finding someone to provide for you. It's not 8K difference, it's $45K - ~5K - $7,5K for 32,5K.