OFFICIAL CANADIAN VOLT THREAD

[SimC]

SimC got his VOLT !! And there is at least one other from Quebec (Drummondville) who received his VOLT 2013 keys !!

Here is the proof ... thanks to VOLTSTATS!! :-)

http://roulezelectrique.com/la-chevr...vee-au-canada/

I sure did! didn't get much time driving around but we are taking a 2000km round trip this coming week. Sadly that will mostly be using the ICE.

[mbepic]

New personal best range today 90.9 km!

I think my Volt loves the higher temps. 30C in Ontario today. I did the run from Guelph to downtown Toronto and got my best EV range ever. And that was with full tank of gas and 3 people (2 + me) on board. I did the speed limit the whole way (100 km on the 401). Tires were inflated to 40 psi prior to departure. A/C set to ECO and 24C.

Now I have my sights set on 100 km! I think I need a good run at 80 km/hr to achieve that though. May take some preplanning to have only a small amout of gas on board and no passengers to complain if I leave the AC off!

That is impressive but what is the elevation difference between Guelph and downtown Toronto..........going down that Don Valley (???) would sure be a range extender.

[Neromanceres]

New personal best range today 90.9 km!

I think my Volt loves the higher temps. 30C in Ontario today. I did the run from Guelph to downtown Toronto and got my best EV range ever. And that was with full tank of gas and 3 people (2 + me) on board. I did the speed limit the whole way (100 km on the 401). Tires were inflated to 40 psi prior to departure. A/C set to ECO and 24C.

Now I have my sights set on 100 km! I think I need a good run at 80 km/hr to achieve that though. May take some preplanning to have only a small amout of gas on board and no passengers to complain if I leave the AC off!

NICE!

I'm taking delivery of my 2013 on Tuesday (Aug 7th). I might drive down to London from Kitchener on the back roads next weekend. I might just be able to make it there without using gas.

[frank.waldner]

This article was originally published in the Toronto Star on April 20, 2012 from an eMail I submitted to them.

There are lots of reasons to drive a Volt, but the savings in gas is not one of them, at least not from an economics perspective. As a Volt owner, it cost $50K to put it on the road, and even with the $8K Ontario rebate, it's still more than $15K more than a similar conventional fuel-economical car like a Cruze.

Here's the math. I drive about 15,000 km per year. A Cruze would use 6.5 l/100 km or about 1,000 litres so $1,350 annually. Electricity would cost around $350 ($1 per day) so you save $1,000 annually. So the payback is 15 years.. That's longer than the life expectancy of either car.

But, my Volt would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 litres, or 34,500 kg of CO2 - 34 tonnes!

Without early adopters, EVs will continue to be nothing more than mobile curiosities. But, truth be told, it's cool to drive an EV, and with my green plates, I get to use the HOV lanes. And I'm doing something good for the environment.

My Volt was more than 3 years in the planning, working with my GM dealer, and I was among the first in Ontario. With 7,500 km since September, I've only used the gas that came with the new car. Plus, I've become a better driver, with better EV range if I keep it under 100 kph on the highway, though that does not sit well with the other HOV drivers who zoom up on my bumper. So I just as well stay in the right lane, driving at my own pace, though my Volt can keep up with all those others if I want to watch my EV range decline.

But today's EV's are NOT a cost-effective solution to rising gas prices.

Frank Waldner
Mississauga, Ont.

At 6.5 cents per kWh (off-peak) and a nightly fill of 8 kWh, it comes out to about 50 cents PLUS HST, debt retirement and delivery it's more like 85 cents a day. So, do your own math, it's still about $350/year. But 34 tonnes of CO2 is a lot of greehouse gas

[tknarr3]

Hi Erik! This must be you! Bet you are excited for Tuesday! Looking forward to meeting you at the Dealership! Have a great long weekend.

NICE!

I'm taking delivery of my 2013 on Tuesday (Aug 7th). I might drive down to London from Kitchener on the back roads next weekend. I might just be able to make it there without using gas.

[mbepic]

This article was originally published in the Toronto Star on April 20, 2012 from an eMail I submitted to them.



At 6.5 cents per kWh (off-peak) and a nightly fill of 8 kWh, it comes out to about 50 cents PLUS HST, debt retirement and delivery it's more like 85 cents a day. So, do your own math, it's still about $350/year. But 34 tonnes of CO2 is a lot of greehouse gas

I'm not sure it is a fair comparison to compare the Volt to a Cruze.........seems like quality, design and engineering are far superior in the Volt; unfortunately there was no mention of projected savings in brake jobs, oil changes and other possible wear and tear maintenance savings over any ICE.

Once you compare just the basics such as electricity savings over gasoline, you ignore all the other reasons why we purchased a Volt and you limit your thinking to the average automobile consumer.

[Neromanceres]

Terry,

Yup that is me! I'm very excited.

Last weekend I rewired my outdoor receptical and added an in-use weather proof cover. I also bought a 25' 12 gauge extension cord (just in case). I also got my charge point card about a month ago. So I'm all ready to go.

I'm not sure yet if I will get the 240V charger. I will use the 120V for a while and see how it goes.

IMG-20120803-00010.jpg

Also the circuit is protected by a 5mA class A GFCI 15A breaker.

[MIN FUEL]

That is impressive but what is the elevation difference between Guelph and downtown Toronto..........going down that Don Valley (???) would sure be a range extender.

Guelph to Toronto -500 ft. Not much of a difference. Mostly the tailwind going east.

[pluto]

Ottawa residents ! Please read this. Coop investing in solar panels. Annual return 5% for 20 years. I'm investing at least 5000$ through my RRSP. The return will pay electricity usage for my Volt. Plus, counter the production of electricity with nuclear plants.

Here is an article from The Ottawa Citizen :
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/busines...392/story.html

Here is the link to the OREC :
http://www.ottawarenewableenergycoop.ca/

Here is a link to the dividends, scroll down to see the table :
http://www.ottawarenewableenergycoop...d=64&Itemid=77

Great initiative eric. There is a group forming to do a similar type of project here in Burlington - Brightsky Power http://www.brightsky.ca They are holding their first AGM tomorrow (Aug 8th) if anyone in the area is interested.

[PaulsVolt]

For those interested in Ottawa, Ford is holding a test drive event just west of St-Laurent center on Conventry Rd, and they have the Focus electric available! I took it out for a spin twice, it's cool, but not a Volt!