Comments on: GM’s Voltec – When No News Is Sort of Good News

By: mark willson

mark willson — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:24:33 +0000

The car shape is really graceful and its sales data showes the market value of this car. here

By: jelly andrews

jelly andrews — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:11:23 +0000

Great post! This is really interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing something like this.

By: ACAgal

ACAgal — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:28:52 +0000

JD Powers- 2 years in a row, says that Volt owners are the happiest new car owners. Although the EPA estimate is 38 miles/Volt charge, the actual miles delivered depends on the type of driving one does, and the weight of the cargo. As a result, our mileage has been better that the estimated. The truth is that car is so much FUN to drive, we only take the SUV out once a month to keep the gas from jelling. We have seen gas price escalations before, if we had had an option like the Volt the first time through, we now would only have EVs or PHEVs.

Helpful Hint: a solar attic fan for the garage
There are two batteries in the Volt. One helps cool the large battery during high heat (108 was this year's high, here), and warms the the main battery during periods of freezing weather (can happen here, but not every year). Before getting the Volt and mostly to keep people who work in the garage comfortable, we put a solar attic fan on the roof a couple of years ago. We added a thermometer to the garage after we got the car and have found the solar attic fan has kept the temperature within range most of this very hot summer, and it is quieter than the wind turbines.

By: Jeff Cobb

Jeff Cobb — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 02:37:00 +0000

Sean - It may get 11, and that claim was made. The EPA sticker does say 6 miles electricity range; 11 miles gas+ electric.

If you do not accelerate hard, you may get the 11-plus in EV mode depending on speed, other conditions.

By: MrEnergyCzar

MrEnergyCzar — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 02:27:47 +0000

I think the PIP range is 0 - 11 depending on how hard you drive and speed....

MrEnergyCzar

By: DownUnder

DownUnder — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:22:26 +0000

M Fan,

PIP 6 miles? This link says differently.
http://www.hybridcars.com/news/epa-says-prius-plug-gets-11-miles-electric-range-41905.html

By: Modern Marvel Fan

Modern Marvel Fan — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 04:52:42 +0000

@ Volume Van,

2 corrections; EPA rated Pip as 6 miles pure Electric and has YET to rate the C-max plugin.

By: MrEnergyCzar

MrEnergyCzar — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 02:50:55 +0000

I can't believe the Right gave up so easily. No major negative news after the Sept sales numbers? Did they run out of ideas? After the Volt became the number one plug-in of any type in the states this year, maybe they realized they better switch sides as people start paying attention...

MrEnergyCzar

By: DownUnder

DownUnder — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:04:08 +0000

V Van,
Which car is the best for you will depend on your driving pattern, at leat when charging time for a depleted set of batteries is more than 5-10 mins. If you drive the Volt to work and back home for around 40 miles, it's a winner. But if you drive for a long day trip, say 300 miles, then 38 miles electricity range is nothing and you'll have to carry the bulk of the batteries. And if your everyday trip to work and back is around 15-20 miles than Prius or C-Max may be the one.

By: Volume Van

Volume Van — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:54:36 +0000

Volt interior volume = 99 cu. ft., price = 40K, range = 38 miles
PIP interior volume = 115 cu. ft., price = 32K, range = 11 miles
C-Max Plugin interior volume = 118 cu. ft., price = 34K, range = 20 miles

If you see overall, C-Max plugin will be the winner. When it comes, both the Volt & PIP will face severe competition.

Why should GM design it as 4 seater. And now they are talking about Cadillac ELR which is another 4 seater coupe. And if it costs 75K, people would rather buy Tesla for another 13K and could carry 7 passengers and also save a lot since it runs fully on electricity.

Sell the Voltec soon, that will be good for GM.