Newbie with questions

[Betty Lou Spence]

Hi All! I am new to learning about the Volt and have some pretty basic questions that I'm hoping to get answered.

My question is, if I buy a Volt, will I have to change the way I drive? For years I've been practicing fuel-saving techniques that my Dad taught me, which he learned during the gas shortages in the 70s, such as:


1. Drive a manual-speed transmission (self-explanatory). I admit it: I like driving one. I've heard the Volt is an automatic - something to do with not needing a transmission? I don't know enough about the technology - does anyone have any links or other info that would help me understand this?
2. Don't slam the brakes. If I know I'll be stopping, I take my foot off the gas and begin to decelerate to both save on gas and wear & tear on the brakes. However, I've recently read about regenerative braking. Does this mean I should spend more time applying the brakes?
3. Don't smash the gas. Is this even an issue with the Volt? I've been reading about not using the AC and radio to optimize electric output (is that true?). Does this mean pounding the gas pedal no longer matters for the first 40 miles?


Are there any other ways I should be driving a Volt differently?

Thanks very much for taking the time to help a Newbie - I appreciate it!

[Altazi]

Greetings.

Hi All! I am new to learning about the Volt and have some pretty basic questions that I'm hoping to get answered.

My question is, if I buy a Volt, will I have to change the way I drive?

I should expect that driving the Volt (or any vehicle propelled by an electric motor) would be different than what you are used to.

For years I've been practicing fuel-saving techniques that my Dad taught me, which he learned during the gas shortages in the 70s, such as:


1. Drive a manual-speed transmission (self-explanatory). I admit it: I like driving one. I've heard the Volt is an automatic - something to do with not needing a transmission? I don't know enough about the technology - does anyone have any links or other info that would help me understand this?

An internal combustion engine has a relatively narrow power band, thus it requires multiple gear ratios to accommodate a normal range of driving speeds and conditions. An electric motor has a very wide power band, and excellent low-RPM torque. Virtually no transmission is needed with electric drive, although you may see a reduction gear unit or simple two-speed transmission in some EVs. From the driver's view point, it would function as an automatic, since you wouldn't be constantly moving a shift lever.

2. Don't slam the brakes. If I know I'll be stopping, I take my foot off the gas and begin to decelerate to both save on gas and wear & tear on the brakes. However, I've recently read about regenerative braking. Does this mean I should spend more time applying the brakes?

It is expected that mild regenerative braking will begin to occur when you take your foot off of the accelerator, and more aggressive regenerative braking will occur as you apply the brakes. The effect of regenerative braking should reduce the wear on the brake pads. "Stomping" on the brake pedal would engage the normal hydraulic brakes, and should be avoided in any vehicle.

3. Don't smash the gas. Is this even an issue with the Volt? I've been reading about not using the AC and radio to optimize electric output (is that true?). Does this mean pounding the gas pedal no longer matters for the first 40 miles?

There is no "gas" pedal; it is an accelerator pedal. If you accelerate aggressively, you will deplete the battery charge more rapidly, and force the Volt's ICE to run so it can power the electric traction motor. Any accessory that uses power from the main battery will reduce the all-electric driving range, again forcing the ICE to run sooner.

Are there any other ways I should be driving a Volt differently?

Thanks very much for taking the time to help a Newbie - I appreciate it!

If you have driven a hybrid such as the Prius, you have experienced some of the differences, like sitting at a stop with no engine running. It can be disconcerting at first, since you think that the car is not "on". As you pull away from the stop, the vehicle moves almost noiselessly until you reach the speed where the ICE starts. In vehicles like the Volt, the ICE will not start until the battery charge is substantially depleted.

The Volt will be different, and will require getting used to. I hope we all get the chance to sit behind the wheel of the Volt at some point.

[DaV8or]

My question is, if I buy a Volt, will I have to change the way I drive?

No. Your Dad taught you to drive correctly and those habits will serve you well in the Volt.

1. Drive a manual-speed transmission (self-explanatory). I admit it: I like driving one. I've heard the Volt is an automatic - something to do with not needing a transmission? I don't know enough about the technology - does anyone have any links or other info that would help me understand this?

Good for you driving a manual! You and I are a dying breed. Forget about the range extending engine in the Volt for a moment. It's easier to just recognize the Volt for what it is, and electric vehicle. Electric motors have a much broader range of power than internal combustion engines (ICE) do. They can make power from 0-12,000 rpm or so. They are also capable of providing nearly all of the available torque (the twisting force needed to get you moving from a stop or accellarate) from zero on up. The average ICE makes power from about 800 to 6,000 rpm and with in that range only a much narrower range makes useful torque and power maybe from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm and this power band can be graphed like a bell curve. The sweet spot is around 3,500 - 4,500 rpm or so. For this reason, the conventional car needs a transmission to attempt to keep the engine running in it's sweet spot and most efficient. The electric vehicle requires no transmission because it is linear and has no real power curve with a sweet spot. So in effect, the Volt is an "automatic", but you won't be getting a shorter range.

2. Don't slam the brakes. If I know I'll be stopping, I take my foot off the gas and begin to decelerate to both save on gas and wear & tear on the brakes. However, I've recently read about regenerative braking. Does this mean I should spend more time applying the brakes?

Not slamming the brakes is still good advice. Even though the Volt will utilize regenerative braking, the longer the time it has to put the power back in the battery the better. The batteries can only charge at a certain rate and if you exceed that rate, the power is just wasted off. Braking slowly should help make the most of regenerative braking. Having said that, I don't think there is great cause to go out of your way to start applying the brakes a mile out or anything. What you are doing now is probably fine.

3. Don't smash the gas. Is this even an issue with the Volt? I've been reading about not using the AC and radio to optimize electric output (is that true?). Does this mean pounding the gas pedal no longer matters for the first 40 miles?

Still good advice. Even though the Volt will transfer power to the wheel more efficiently with it's electric motor, stomping on the gas will generate more heat because when you give the motor full power and the car is at a stop, the motor is still not powerful enough to instantly rocket you to 100mph. So as the motor works hard to get you up to 100, the excess power being drawn from the battery is being wasted off in the form of heat. A more gradual accelleration will result in less wasted energy and greater battery range.

Using the AC and radio, or any powered device in the car will reduce your range by some amount. This is true of the car you have now too. Turning off the AC and radio will help you achieve higher MPG and extend your range in a conventional car. This is a question that has yet to be fully answered. Can the Volt make it's 40 miles all electric with the radio and AC or heater on still at freeway speeds? I believe that they are working to make this the case, but we don't know for sure yet.

Are there any other ways I should be driving a Volt differently?

Nope. That's the true genius and beauty of the Volt, it allows us to drive as we always have with little to no compromises.