Chevy Volt: 1 Year Later?

[GAC]

Originally Posted by MikeThierry

Is the future really electric? It seems like the technology is limiting. I don't think America will catch onto a plug and drive system. It's going to take something like hydrogen or a substance that hasn't been invented yet for the auto industry to take that next step, in my opinion.

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[reds1869]

My issue with plug-in cars has already been mentioned: I park my car in a parking garage. There is nowhere for me to plug in so a plug-in car doesn't make since for me or any of the other 300 families in my apartment building.

[JaxRed]

There is however, a significant portion (25-35%?) of the population for which an electric car makes sense today. People that live in a house or some place where they have access to electrical power and are a 2 car family.

I have owned a REAL electric car for 45 days now. The Leaf. It's a commuter car. Go to work, drive home, plug it in. Rinse lather repeat.

If we have to go long distances or take a second long trip during that day we take the gasoline car. I'm up to 1500 gasoline free miles so far.

Yes the price needs to get better. I never would have bought one without the tax rebate. $7500. But I plan to drive this thing forever, and will drive it whenever feasible. I figure every time I drive it over the gas car I am saving money.

[Joseph]

I don't want an electric car. I like the hum of gas powered engines. Only way I go electric is if gas goes over 6$ a gallon before I'm 60. Then maybe I consider it.

[reds1869]

Originally Posted by Joseph

I don't want an electric car. I like the hum of gas powered engines. Only way I go electric is if gas goes over 6$ a gallon before I'm 60. Then maybe I consider it.

If I remember correctly the two of us are close together in age and I sincerely believe we won't have the option of gas powered cars (at least not new ones) by the time we are 60.

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by JaxRed

There is however, a significant portion (25-35%?) of the population for which an electric car makes sense today. People that live in a house or some place where they have access to electrical power and are a 2 car family.

I have owned a REAL electric car for 45 days now. The Leaf. It's a commuter car. Go to work, drive home, plug it in. Rinse lather repeat.

If we have to go long distances or take a second long trip during that day we take the gasoline car. I'm up to 1500 gasoline free miles so far.

Yes the price needs to get better. I never would have bought one without the tax rebate. $7500. But I plan to drive this thing forever, and will drive it whenever feasible. I figure every time I drive it over the gas car I am saving money.

How many batteries will you go through during "forever"? How much do they cost?

[JaxRed]

Not sure. We also have a Prius so I follow the technology. Although they are a different chemistry, they are still going strong even on the oldest models.

[Spazzrico]

Originally Posted by JaxRed

Not sure. We also have a Prius so I follow the technology. Although they are a different chemistry, they are still going strong even on the oldest models.

To build on Sea Ray's comment, what sort of warranty came with the Leaf? As a general rule I don't like to buy first generation of anything and let the bugs get worked out with the early adopters. Being so new, I'm wondering if the terms were different from a conventional Nissan.

Also to add a point of savings......maintenance. No oil changes or radiators to flush and fill or break. No leaking gaskets.

And how does it drive? & Does it really get 100 miles?

[JaxRed]

Warranty - "Every US specification Nissan LEAF™ is backed by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty providing: 36-month/36,000-mile basic coverage; 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain and electric vehicle system coverage; and 96 months/100,000 miles Lithium-Ion Battery coverage."

A lot of people getting the Leaf are leasing. I leased once and vowed to never do it again. In addition, I plan to drive the ever loving snot out of this thing, and that doesn't sit well in a lease.

There will be WAY less maintenance. Electric motors are way more dependable. No oil changes, no air filters, no transmission fluid flushes, no pollution controls. it goes on and on.

I personally think it drives like a dream, and has super quick acceleration.

You really get 70-75 miles in "normal" driving. If all your trip was 55 and less you'd get 90 or so. But work for me is about 22 miles away, so no problem whatsoever.

[durl]

Originally Posted by JaxRed

I never would have bought one without the tax rebate. $7500.

You're welcome.

Just be prepared for an electric car tax. States won't be happy with you driving on the roads without paying gas taxes to help maintain them.

[JaxRed]

I do realize that is coming. And it needs to eventually. I sure don't like the GPS options. I'd rather see a "report your mileage" option.

[MikeThierry]

Originally Posted by GAC

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On could only hope

[Yachtzee]

I think price point is the main issue. If I'm paying $40k for a car, I'm looking for size or performance. For fuel economy, I'm looking for a car is affordable. If the Chevy Volt could be had for less than $20k, more people would buy it. As it is, if I could afford a new car, I'd probably go for a Volkswagen turbo diesel.

Chevy had a car that was affordable and got 50 mpg, the Sprint. I had one. Great for a college kid trying to save a few bucks.

[paintmered]

Originally Posted by Yachtzee

I think price point is the main issue. If I'm paying $40k for a car, I'm looking for size or performance. For fuel economy, I'm looking for a car is affordable. If the Chevy Volt could be had for less than $20k, more people would buy it. As it is, if I could afford a new car, I'd probably go for a Volkswagen turbo diesel.

Chevy had a car that was affordable and got 50 mpg, the Sprint. I had one. Great for a college kid trying to save a few bucks.

So the Volt has to be priced $5K under a TDI?

[Yachtzee]

Originally Posted by paintmered

So the Volt has to be priced $5K under a TDI?

Yes. I can go on road trips in a TDI without worrying about where to plug in if I need to stay at a hotel. If I'm buying a car that has limits on how I use it compared to another car, it needs to come in at a lower price. In my mind, inconvenience plays a role in the cost as well.