OFFICIAL CANADIAN VOLT THREAD

[frankydude]

That is very good news, kubismatik! Well done for your negotiations!
Did the GM document was of any help to convince the board?
Also,
What is your arrangement? do you pay a fee? do you install a meter? pay a fixed fee? or you charge up with
the arrangment as per the condo contract?

Questions! ouf!
but anyhow, well done!

Francois
B-2653 - reVOLT

[pluto]

Got an email from the dealer a week ago Friday that my Volt has been built, hoping I will see it before the end of May! Time to start figuring out what I'm doing about chargers...

[kickincanada]

K just in the midst of a road trip to Oshawa for my daughter's soccer tournament. A few observations.

First I decided my route should be highway 7 via Peterborough (my hometown) because 1) it is 50-60 kms shorter each way vs taking 416 to 401 and 2) slower speeds mean more EV range and better MPG. It is clear that with speeds at 100km or less 42mpg is pretty much guaranteed which is phenomenal when you look at all other cars out there. Also, although I am travelling slower via Peterborough it takes about the same time because of the 120km less round trip.

Second, I arrived at my hotel (Quality Inn in Oshawa) only to discover their only outdoor plug needed its GFI receptacle replaced and I forgot to insist on outside ground floor parking lot facing room (which would have let me run a cord). So what to do? Well two options - I could drive to GM HQ about 3kms away and have another parent drive me back and forth (not cool) or - plug in at Durham College which was about 1km away from my daughter's soccer field (and walk back and forth). I chose the latter and I figure I saved at least 10 bucks in gas which made it worth the short walk each day. So between plugging in during my stay and taking the shorter route for sure saved $25 and avoided a couple gallons of gas. Not huge $ but every little bit helps.

It also struck met how crazy cool this all was considering that a couple years ago I was all stressed out about EV cars not coming to market and here I was this weekend driving the coolest EV out there and plugging in to a free Chargepoint station. Its like living in a dream / the future but I get to do it right now. I just don't think people really understand how fortunate we are to have the EV option no matter what the price. The last thing that struck me is that if the Volt had 6.6kw charging, having this at home and at Chargepoint and other public stations pretty much negates the need for a larger battery. Plugging in and getting 25kms in an hour would be awesome. Chevy should follow Ford's lead upgrade the Volt to do the same.

Finally, gave friend of mine who lives in Oshawa a test drive and he was floored. Couldn't believe the performance and sleek look. But no surprise there though!

Here is a pic of the charging stations and Durham College's Volt.
Durham College Volt Oshawa.jpgDurham College Charging Stations Oshawa.jpg

[an_outsider]

I'm glad for you, a least you know yours is coming soon (a month or so, I guess).

I sent an update request by email to the dealer this week, I still have no TPW yet...

[mbepic]

K just in the midst of a road trip to Oshawa for my daughters soccer tournament. A few observations.

First I decided my route should be highway 7 via Peterborough (my hometown) because 1) it is 50-60 kms shorter each way vs taking 416 to 401 and 2) slower speeds mean more EV range and better MPG. It is clear that with speeds at 100km or less 42mpg is pretty much guaranteed which is phenomenal when you look at all other cars out there. Also, although I am travelling slower via Peterborough it takes about the same time because of the 120km less round trip.

Second, I arrived at my hotel (Quality Inn in Oshawa) only to discover their only outdoor plug needed its GFI receptacle replaced and I forgot to insist on outside ground floor parking lot facing room (which would have let me run a cord). So what to do? Well two options - I could drive to GM HQ about 3kms away and have another parent drive me back and forth (not cool) or - plug in at Durham College which was about 1km away from my daughter's soccer field (and walk back and forth). I chose the latter and I figure I saved at least 10 bucks in gas which made it worth the short walk each day. So between plugging in during my stay and taking the shorter route for sure saved $25 and avoided a couple gallons of gas. Not huge $ but every little bit helps.

It also struck met how crazy cool this all was considering that a couple years ago I was all stressed out about EV cars not coming to market and here I was this weekend driving the coolest EV out there and plugging in to a free Chargepoint station. Its like living in a dream / future but I get to do it right now. I just don't think people really understand how fortunate we are to have the EV option no matter what the price. The last thing that struck me is that 3.3kwh charging on the Volt and having this at home and at Chargepoint and other public stations pretty much negates the need for a larger battery. Plugging in and getting 25kms in an hour would be awesome. Chevy should follow Ford's lead upgrade the Volt to do the same.

Finally, gave friend of mine who lives in Oshawa a test drive and he was floored. Couldn't believe the performance and sleek look. But no surprise there though!

I live 1/2 hr north of Oshawa and travel down Simcoe St past Durham College (UOIT) quite often;

A couple of questions: I was there when they installed that charge station that fronts onto Simcoe Street but have not viewed it up close since; you mentioned 'free'...........no need for a swipe card? Anyone can just plug in?

If your friend decides to buy a Volt, recommend they go in and talk to Esther at Ontario Motors Sales, downtown Oshawa; she will treat him well (tell her that MBEPIC referred).

You were striving to get 42mpg and I interpret that as Charge Sustaining (CS) as it was a long trip; my guess you would be struggling to get over 40mpg but do you have any idea what you did get in CS mode.............if you are on VoltStats website, it should tell you. I've been getting about 36 and change since October and I don't expect much better than that with 6,000miles of CS driving.

Hope you had a safe return trip and enjoyed Durham Region.

[kickincanada]

I tapped (like paypass) my chargepoint keychain pass which I got from chargepoint last sept. There is no charge for it but you have to load it with 10bucks. For now most chargepoint stations are free so my 10bucks is just sitting on the card. I also have ordered a blink network card although you have to call them directly as they don't let you order from Canada on the web.

And yes I was referring to CS mode only at 42mpg. My overall mileage will be higher when I factor in my ev charges and I will let you know what it is when I get home. You can't really pay much attention to volt stats as it is scewed for cs mode because 1) many times in winter ICE comes on due to temp when you are simply sitting at a light giving you the worst possible rate anyway but besides the amount of time someone is in ev as a proportion of their driving is quite low anyway and 2) the volt tracks the cs milage much more closely than a conventional vehicle - very precise and I would love to see the numbers of an ICE in city driving. What counts is what the Volt does on true highway conditions and the Volt shines comapared to all other vehicles except perhaps. Prius, Cruze Eco or a Jetta Diesl.

I'm not sure my friend will be getting a Volt as he has a car with no payments and only gas so it will be a while but thanks for the tip anyway. I tried to sneak my Volt out on beach at lakeview park but too many people around so no luck but Durham was a great stay. Thanks!

I live 1/2 hr north of Oshawa and travel down Simcoe St past Durham College (UOIT) quite often;

A couple of questions: I was there when they installed that charge station that fronts onto Simcoe Street but have not viewed it up close since; you mentioned 'free'...........no need for a swipe card? Anyone can just plug in?

If your friend decides to buy a Volt, recommend they go in and talk to Esther at Ontario Motors Sales, downtown Oshawa; she will treat him well (tell her that MBEPIC referred).

You were striving to get 42mpg and I interpret that as Charge Sustaining (CS) as it was a long trip; my guess you would be struggling to get over 40mpg but do you have any idea what you did get in CS mode.............if you are on VoltStats website, it should tell you. I've been getting about 36 and change since October and I don't expect much better than that with 6,000miles of CS driving.

Hope you had a safe return trip and enjoyed Durham Region.

[mbepic]

I swiped my chargepoint keychain pass which I got from chargepoint last sept. There is no charge for it but you have to load it with 10bucks. For now most chargepoint stations are free so my 10bucks is just sitting on the card. I also have ordered a blink network card although you have to call them directly as they don't let you order from Canada on the web.

And yes I was referring to CS mode only at 42mpg. My overall mileage will be higher when I factor in my ev charges and I will let you know what it is when I get home. You can't really pay much attention to volt stats as it is scewed for cs mode because 1) many times in winter ICE comes on due to temp when u are simply sitting at a light giving u the worst possible rate anyway but besides the amount of time someone is in ev as a proportion of their driving is quite low anyway and 2) the volt trackes the cs milage much more closely than a conventional vehicle - very precise and I would love to see the numbers of an ICE in city driving.

Thanks for the ChargePoint iinfo; I guess I don't understand why the need for a swipe card at that location if it is free anyways; I assume your $10. will be used at some other locations that do charge for the electricity. Do you have to pay for a blink network card, similar to ChargePoint?

I would say that I have had very little 'winter' driving where the engine came on because of low temps...........occasional when I first got the car. It was never used in the states for almost 4mths, other than two brief maintenance cycles while down there. A lot of my 6,000miles was on the highway but I have read that the CS engine is more efficient at the higher speeds, greater than 70mph. That is why I'm interested in your results.

[kickincanada]

Yes you are right doesn't make sence that you have to get the card but that's what they require. I recommend you get the cards. Minimal if any hassle. And I imagine someday I will come across a station thatwill charge me so it will come in handy to have it loaded. Didn't have to pre-load the Blink card (still have yet to receive it though).

My experiance has been that I get better mileage at slow speeds on the higway. I have done 120kph and my rate dropes to about 34 or 35 mpgs. It is true that in CS mode the planetary gearset helps to make it more efficient with the direct transfer of power from the ICE but it would be worse if this didn't happen. It is always better to travel at a slightly lower speed as there is less mass to push and less wind to push through.

Thanks for the ChargePoint iinfo; I guess I don't understand why the need for a swipe card at that location if it is free anyways; I assume your $10. will be used at some other locations that do charge for the electricity. Do you have to pay for a blink network card, similar to ChargePoint?

I would say that I have had very little 'winter' driving where the engine came on because of low temps...........occasional when I first got the car. It was never used in the states for almost 4mths, other than two brief maintenance cycles while down there. A lot of my 6,000miles was on the highway but I have read that the CS engine is more efficient at the higher speeds, greater than 70mph. That is why I'm interested in your results.

[kickincanada]

mbepic - here is my stats from the trip. My overall mileage including charges was 4.5L/100kms or 51.3mpg. Not bad. I took the screen shot from the trip back and you can calculate my CS mileage based on me driving 257.8 kms CS and using 13.75L (or going 160.2miles using 3.63 gallons). This all works out to be 5.33L/100kms (or 44.1mpg). I would say I averaged about 90-100kph (or 55-62mph). That's pretty awesome for CS mode and as I said beats most cars out there. The whole trip to Oshawa and back only cost me 36.1L x $1.30 = $47 (my electricity was free so no need to factor this in). Fantastic - couldn't be happier.

Ok - and you will see that I was only able to use 9.6kwh before the ICE came on. First time I ever see this as 10+ is normal for me. Weird.

P5062146.jpgP5062143.jpgP5062145.jpgP5062140.jpg

[kubismatik]

That is very good news, kubismatik! Well done for your negotiations!
Did the GM document was of any help to convince the board?
Also,
What is your arrangement? do you pay a fee? do you install a meter? pay a fixed fee? or you charge up with
the arrangment as per the condo contract?

Questions! ouf!
but anyhow, well done!

Francois
B-2653 - reVOLT

Hi frankydude, mike1, slyastro and others following my story!

I was never invited to condo board meetings so I was getting just indirect information from one board member who I was sending e-mails with explanations, clarifications etc. and he was giving me details on doubts, fears and misunderstandings expressed by other board members.

There was probably no single document or argument that finally convinced them to let me charge. When I explained everything about vehicle charging security, how much energy does it take and all other "issues" they were still afraid about the cost of investments if everybody else would like to use outlet on their parking stalls (currently just selected ones have 120V outlets). I had to be very diplomatic because there was a danger that condo board will simply reject my request "to be safe". Finally I convinced them that having electrical vehicle in their garage is an advantage because they will get data needed to evaluate how should we get prepared if there will be more vehicles like this in the future. I suggested to get temporary, conditional approval for limited time that would be prolonged if there won't be any problem with charging. I got approval for 6 months now and I will pay fixed fee of $240. I'll have to drive a lot to use electricity for so much money ;-).