14600+ miles per year gas free

[voltman]

I really think GM should switch their advertising away from 40 miles electric. I don't think it sinks in just exactly how big of an impact 40 miles a day is. I think everyone knows that the average miles per year driven is somewhere between 12000 and 15000 miles per year so this might sink in a bit better.

In fact, if you charge at work, it would be upwards of 29,000, but that would be somewhat of a perfect storm.

[dagwood55]

Except your "mileage" may vary. I live 3 miles from work (I am one of the Volt's target markets, I care deeply about fossil fuel consumption - so I did something about it).

I do three kinds of driving: commuting to work... 6 miles X 220 days per year is about 1320 gas-free miles.

Long trips - 40 miles electric the FIRST day and then gas for the rest of the trip - 2 to 4 thousand miles.

Miscellaneous driving on weekends... rarely more than 15 miles, usually less, sometimes none.

I'd be lucky to get 5K "gas-free" miles per year. I'm way better off with a Prius or Yaris in terms of out-of-pocket cost and, depending on the long-distance fuel economy of the Volt, I might use less gas with a Prius.

[rhodomel]

I would get 32,000 miles or more gas free and hopefully 75% of that is free electricity from the office and my future solar panels.

[dagwood55]

rhodomel: "I would get 32,000 miles or more gas free..."

Per year? I doubt it... That's two charges per day, every day, and three charges on 70 days. That would be, get up, drive 40 miles, charge for 3-4 hours, drive 40 miles, charge for 3-4 hours, drive 40 miles, charge overnight. Hardly seems likely, to put it mildly. Note, those midday charges are on a "rapid" charger at 220V. Less likely.

Now, if you mean over the life of the vehicle... that's possible.

[rhodomel]

dag, I have three jobs. I have a home office where I am planning to have 220 V 60 A circuit (about $930) and 11 kW peak solar PV. I have also another office where we have a 220 V RV outlet connection (about 50 A), and still another one where I slave away as a regular contractor, but have several freebie outlet in the parking lot for EV.

So I can only make out 32,000 electric miles per year given the separation of the offices, and the slow freebie outlet. I leave you the Math to find out how far apart the three offices are. And I do work on Saturdays too.

[rhodomel]

plus I'll be getting an Aptera and the GM-Volt, that is why the 11 kW peak solar PV. So 32,000 electric miles/year might actually be a lower limit. My missus and I will switch cars every now and then. Will only be using GM-Volt on trips when more than 2 people will be seated, like picking up kids from school and the long trip on weekends.

I will still retain my large Toyota Tundra for the Home Depot errands.