Pickin up one of these today....from Porsche to Volt ! I can't begin to say how pumped I am with the gas mileage....I'm 18 miles from work....screw gas prices!
+jeffbrent Totally worth it. My wife and I just bought a used 2012 Volt. We're 10.5 miles away from work, with a very hilly journey. We get to work and back with more than half of the battery life left. In the past month, we've used about half a gallon of gas, because we had a couple of unplanned longer trips. Sure beats the 40 gallons per month we were burning before. We raised the thermostat on our home air conditioner by 2 degrees, and that more than covers the cost of charging the car. Will NEVER go back to a gas car!
I bought a used one, a 2013 recently. The drive train and battery is warranties by GM and it's transferrable. If you drive one, you are likely to want one, especially if you are tech savvy and willing to try something new. GM put their best people on this project. This car has great potential for being long-term reliable. I love mine. This is very nearly a perfect application of current technology to the electrically driven vehicle. 2017 update: I bought a second used Volt for my wife.
+Red Ferret you my friend are the reason i purchased a 2013 chevy volt! I watched your review back in 2013 and I finally have one! I thank you for this review!
+Renaldo V It's our pleasure, glad we could help. I personally feel that we're just about to see an explosion in hybrid and all electric technology, so hang on. :)
While in gas mode (battery depleted), when the foot is lifted from the pedal, the car coasts (recharging the battery) and reverts to battery because of the regenerative actions. At the light, the car is off (battery mode). The car remains in battery mode for about 1/8 of a mile, at which time, the gas generator turns back on. This occurs about 90% of the time. Normal braking is not done by the pads. The E motor slows the car down to 3 mph. The pads take over then. Regenerative braking.
Thank you for doing this review! I was so confused on how hybrids work and now I understand. You are the first and only person who made me understand them completely. Thank you!
Just got a 2014 VOLT two weeks ago. High end one MSRP $38,500. In my 35 years of driving, I have had more than 10 cars including an AMG, BMW 740i, Corvette, Maxima, Toyota. We have 7 cars currently in my household in Los Angeles .... The VOLT is one of the best cars I have ever had. The guy below doesn't know what he is talking about. I leased the vehicle just in case they keep getting better. The interior is great and well appointed. Great Bose sound system, quiet, handles well, accelerate well, etc. I get about 48 miles out of one charge and I drive it at 75 mph in highway too in my commute. I recommend it highly.
In 2005 there was no Z06 or ZR1 or Grand Sport. There was the base and the Z51. First year of C6. So I got the C6 Z51. Different trani, suspension, brakes, tires. .. etc. Z51 package is now available again on C7.
The 2013 Volt is programmed to run the ICE every 45 days if it detects no usage. The ICE will cycle for 10 minutes then shut itself off again. This is done to prevent "aging". PS: I love my 2013 Volt!
The Volt is CARZYYYY MAD MADNESS...I use to pay about 60.00 a week in gas with a Toyota corolla, that's 240.00 a month...I've had my volt for a month now, and haven't put gas in since the dealer filled it upon the day of my purchase. 30 days later I'm just at half a tank!!!! dooooooooo the math!!! charging price you ask? so far free, I charge for free at public ev stations :-) win win boo boo
+Bad Ontario Drivers- obviously you are the adversary you work for Toyota hahahaha!! my employment requires me to drive, I do hundreds of miles per week, a little over a week ago I put $17 in gas empty to full!! in that time frame I grossed $1,000 income from $17 in gas and I am at half a tank .....helllloooooo winning!!! As for my electric charging bill, its 0.... the city of Los Angeles has plenty of free charging stations.... Triple A has free charging, charge point also has free charging and I utilize them all everywhere I go. Ive had my car since 2015 and I have not paid one penny in electricity for charging as of yet....again winning!!!!
+Bad Ontario Drivers lol good try Toyota of Ontario. I have driven every model of the Prius and still paid a lot in gas...i was paying 300 a mo in the prius, in the volt i pay 30 t0 40 a mo..... the volt is the number one car on the road hands down...I still love Toyota because I come to your facilities and charge my car for free hehe
+Bad Ontario Drivers The Volt isn't a bad car if you need a commuter car and especially if you can plug it in at home and/or work. If your round trip work commute is less than 50 miles, or 70 in the new Gen 2 Volt, you can easily do most of your trip, if not all of it, on electric. Yes, electricity isn't free. But it's a lot cheaper than gas, and electric prices don't fluctuate like crazy like gas prices do. The Volt is surprisingly low maintenance for the most part. The first 45k miles of scheduled maintenance is tire rotations every 7500 miles, and if done at a dealership, the techs check out the Voltec system for any irregularities. Oil changes are every 2 years if you don't use the gas engine much, or whenever the oil life meter in the car is under 10%, whichever comes first. Electric motors have less moving parts compared to a gas engine, so that means less stuff to break down. Yes, the Volt still has a gas engine, but if you barely use it, you could easily have a 100k mile Volt that only has 5-10k on the engine. No gas car will ever be able to claim that. Erick Belmer has recently passed the 300k mile mark on his 2012 Volt, of which over 100k of it was on electric. He still gets the same 35 miles of range today as he did when he first bought it a few years ago. And other than front wheel bearings (probably due to potholes since he lives in Ohio), he hasn't had any issues with the car. GM really over-engineered and babied the heck out of the Volt's battery, because they had to get it right the first time. And it shows, compared to say, the Nissan Leaf's battery which has shown range loss in really hot climates, likely because Nissan cheaped out and used an air cooled system as opposed to the liquid cooled system the Volt uses. No Volt owner's battery has yet to be replaced out of warranty, but cost estimates are around $3-4k if it has to be done, which is about the same as if you got an automatic transmission replacement in a gas car. I believe GM ran simulations where the battery held up fine even at 500k miles, but time will tell. The Volt's battery is not like your smartphone/laptop battery, so don't automatically rule it out because of that. And of course the Volt isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for a more economical to run commuter car, used Gen 1 (2011-2015) Volts can be had for $10-18k easily, which is econocar territory. But the Volt drives and feels like a $35k car. Give one a test drive if you don't believe anything I just said.
I agree. I have bought only 6 gallons of gas in 17 months. Buying gas is a waste of money. BTW, my son bought a Volt. He commutes 82 miles a day. He charges at work. He has cut his commute expense from $325 a month to $0. Pays the car payment.
Also, the 2013 and 2014 versions of the car plug into a regular wall outlet and takes approx. ten hours to complete a full charge. You can purchase a 240 outlet that will charge the car in 4 hours.
I absolutely cannot wait for the 2016 model to come out. My parents are looking at replacing their Toyota, and I've been pushing this car for them. I'll drive my Mazda a few more years until upgrading it to the Chevy Volt.
I'm noticing used Volts coming off lease selling for $27k. Because they're 3yrs old, they still qualify for a 5 year loan. For many people the lower cost of driving makes payments even more affordable.
I don't understand the reason why people have to be insulting and nasty! I'm in the market right now for an electric vehicle, keep the debate and the reviews coming. For the guys that are nasty and narrow minded, you can certainly express your opinion but keep the discussion civil, there is no need to be nasty! Thank you for taking the time to make this video Red Ferret. NICE JOB!
We just purchased (May 2016) a used 2013 Volt Base with only 12,100 miles on it for less than $15,500. We looked at the same year, 2013 but was against it due to it's over $40,000 price tag. If you can get a good one used, they are a fantastic value. I've gone over 800 miles on it and not used one ounce of gasoline.
Btw the engine is a 1.4L NA that has 83hp, not 160. Other then that, exellent review. You're exactly the type of client for a Volt, someone who doesnt do a lot milleage and stay in the electric range.
Sorry, but you aren't all correct. The gas engine does not have the ability to power the vehicle; my uncle works for General Motors, and I drive one. The engine isn't connected to the wheels. When the battery is near the end of it's charge, the gas engine enables to charge the battery and power the vehicle; it's strictly an electric vehicle. It provides enough energy to keep the battery at it's level, and run the vehicle.
You are mostly right The Chevy volt has 4 modes. Mode 1, single motor full electric. At cruising speed, the planetary gearset will engage both electric motors, to reduce the speed of the main motor. Less power, but extends electric range. Mode 3, once the battery has depleted the gas engine spins the generator, which keeps the battery in it's low limit charge, main electric moving car. Mode 4 adds the gas engine for high speed crusiing.This increases fuel efficency. I have 16000 miles on my volt
No hard feelings or anything, just teasing. I really liked your review. Would you suggest I wait for the 2016 model or is the tech/refinement in the current model more than adequate even after all these years?
It is very easy to share the all the great aspects of the Volt, like unbelievable milaege (900 mpg in many cases), faster 0-60 times than most cars in its class, unlimited range to drive as far as you want when you want
Great review - I thought I knew everything about it, but I didn't realize that the gas motor could also send power to the wheels. As to the discussion about cost, people need to realize that the cost of a vehicle is not what you pay for it, but what it depreciates while you own it. I bought mine with a 72-month 0% loan from GM, and will get my $7500 credit just five months later - it pays for the entire first year. Time will tell as to resale value, but the few for sale now seem to maintain valu
The fuel in my car starts going bad after just 90 days. How do they prevent bad fuel In a volt that may have the same gas in it for a year or more. Can't figure out how ethical al fuels could still be good at that length. They may still start but what does the engine think about running on green sludge?
i bought a 2017 volt in September. it runs great, i have a level 2 charger at home. i plug it in at nite and wake up to full battery. then i use battery until i get to freeway then switch it to gas with the "hold" mode. then when i get off freeway close to work i change it back to battery. then on mountain mode on way home.
Looks exactly like my 2012, same interior and everything. The only difference is I'm at 90k miles not 9k! How many miles are on yours now, if you still have it?
Great review; I leased a 2013 Volt and love it! I have put about 1000 miles on it and used about 13 gallons of gas. Primarily because I made a round trip of more than 300 miles and a round trip to one of my favorite stores is about 20 miles shy of a full charge range. Still much better than my Chevy trail blazer.
hey lisen up i have a question what if you change this car to LPG it would be even more economic then who can help me and tell me if that is possible (in my country lpg is half the price and the electricity will be free because where i shop it has a place wher you can plug your car in for free )
Red Ferret thanks for posting. I love my 2011. No car like it in the world. Truly. Let the folks that don't understand them continue to wonder . . . cs
My 2013 has 30,000 miles ... 30 gallons total ... hard city miles. 97% all electric.My Wattmeter indicates $23/month electricity... 3.5 years. Two oil changes total.Least maintenance .. lowest noise... best brakes... no tranny... no shifting... No ICE comes close.
That's impresive! The average Volt owner gets about 1,000 per each gas tank, wich is only 9 gallons. We were getting 221 MPG in about 300 miles in our Demo at the dealership. The problem? The Haters! Nobody is buying this amazing machine that was Motor Trend Car of the Year, North American Car of the Year and Car and Driver 10 Best because it doesn't have a Toyota or Honda emblem. This is a game changer and if more people were buying it, the oil companies would be in trouble. Go GM!
I am on my second pre owned Volt, sold the 2012 to my sister, bought a low mileage 2014. Both have been great cars. Few issues, high quality and since I have solar on my house, I basically charge for free. I am on the waiting list for a model 3, but today I do not think I am going to take advantage of it. The Volt does everything I need it to do and no range issues if I want to make a trip. So, if you buy pre owned, the cost to run is lower than most anything out there and you will have a great comfortable car. I am having my new one ceramic coated next week, so I think I am going to keep it, certainly if the US tax credit goes away, the Tesla will make no economic sense to buy. If I got it, would be an emotional I WANT IT decision, not a practical decision.
Mike The 240 volt charger I bought is called a Voltec. I think they are overpriced but I think everything is overpriced. I bought mine in 2012 for $500 and installed it myself. In Oklahoma, our electric rates are fairly low. I think they are around 12 cents per kWh. I don't have a monitor on my Voltec to know how much it costs to charge but my monthly bill is negligibly higher. I would guess around $30-$35 per month. We charge it every day. My wife drives the cars 20 miles, one way, to work so the battery is nearly discharged once per day.
Thanks for the clear concise review and explanation. Ive had to suffer through some of the worst reviews by supposed automotive experts that were not anywhere as clear and informative as yours. The worst is when they are just reading from a cue card as they try to explain the drivetrain.
I agree. Plus the bed area could house some serious batteries. You would have to raise up the load area in the bed a few inches, but it would be a great place for some batteries.
that sounds good, even in jamiaca where the cost electricity being so high I calculate about a 50% savings on travelling. but you guys! you guys save like 90%. Im surprized that isnt the only car you guys will buy.
DISCONTINUED IN EUROPE, JAPAN, AND AUSTRALIA. The Americans get the new G2 version, but the overseas markets do not, because overseas drivers did not want the car (they already have 50-80 mpg diesels) .
Great summary - I wish I had thought about one of these before buying a different car a couple years ago. The hybrid cars have had a very good reliability rating, CR gave this a "recommended" and what's not to like about hardly needing to put gas in it? The electric panel is a drawback but your cost of "fuel" is very low compared to gasoline. I think it also charges on 115volt in a pinch correct?
Also in my area (Indiana) they have the Clean Cities Program...Check you area / power company as its not really advertised. They come out to your house: provide a 240v charging station (free) Install a new meter and run 240v power to it (free) And all charging to the vehicle off peak is totally (free) I purchased mine used 2012 with a huge sticker savings. I cant justify the monthly payment on a new one.
Question: how often do you have to buy another charging station (if at all)? And...some people would not be inclined to buy an electric vehicle because they might think that the money they will not spend on gas, will be spent paying electricity bills...so what has been your experience with that?
I purchased the Volt and already had a Kill-A-Watt meter. I constantly got a total of 13 kilowatt hours to charge the car. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. There are several other Volt owners who used Kill-A-Watt meters to calculate their charging costs. Find your average cost for electric power and multiply that by 13 = cost for charge from 0. A little less with the 240V. cuz fans or heaters work less during charging. Quicker charge, less fan or heater time.
After further investigation the Volt does have specific situations upon the engine providing some minor charge to the battery. However, in the definition of a hybrid, the engine does recharge the battery. The Volt, if not plugged in will not work as an EV and will run the engine so as to provide electrons. I stand corrected as to the technical specs. However, the Volt is an EV not a hybrid, and charging the battery using an EVSE is required. Otherwise, it is an ICE car and not an efficient one due to the battery/components weight. Like most present EV's, except for Tesla, it is a city/short range EV. Cheers.
Oh, and another thing: if you keep you volt plugged in at all times, it will keep the battery at driving temperatures, so it saves some energy. :) And use the remote start when it's plugged in to have the car heat or cool the car, without using the battery life. :) I love my Volt, and I've had it for nearly nine months.
question for any volt owners-how is the leg room in the shotgun seat of the volt? My friend is 6 8" and we're thinking of taking a road trip up to Oregon.
You don't have to use 91 octane ... the mid-grade here is 89 octane and engine runs fine with 37K miles here. I have a Ford F-150 that I use in snow and for longer trips with all family gear. The Volt is for some days when I commute and shorter trips for errands ... no complaints; better than the Prius we sold.
My top electric range according to the dashboard has been 47 miles. However, I know that I have driven 11 miles when the monitor went from 47 to 45. So, how you drive has a HUGE impact on whether you use the predicted amount or less or more.
currently driving a Pirus C. only get 48-55 MPG. I will buy a plug in hybrid for my next car. you can say Volt is a EV (36 mile range) with extend gas engine. :)
Will C My charger is 240v/15amps - same as a dryer but less than AC. I don't think the grid will notice, especially if charging is done overnight. My $30 month replaced 4x$70. Yes, it makes a big difference.
It’s looks like older electric ⚡️ cars are worth holding onto, lots of battery specialists popping up, enabling the upgrade of older/worn batteries, further extending the range and life of the vehicle
That is different than what is stated in Motor Trend look up the Motor trend article about the Chevy Volt's Planetary gear - excerpt below "Once the Volt’s battery is depleted, the engine fires up and clutches to the generator to produce the power required to drive the car. Above 70 mph, when the generator couples to the ring gear, the engine gets a more efficient direct mechanical connection to the wheels."
The Volt looks like a great package. I just wonder about the ownership experience 5-7 years down the road. Like when its time to get a new battery pack. Great Video.
I wonder how that rear suspension is going to hold up in the NYC/NJ metro with those pothole & those soft mushy self-destructing rubber bushings GM has been using for the last 30 yrs. That's what I wonder.
Will C The added weight of the battery pack in the rear is likely going to pound & bend all suspension components over the lifespan of the vehicle in a pothole paradise!
I wonder if they still use Chevette suspension components? I was amazed how they put together the Fiero. As I understand it they turned an Xcar drivetrain around backwards to power it and then used a Chevette suspension to hold up the other end and made a Franken Car. Actually parts bin engineering is fine when it works out but when it doesn't it seems pathetic.
In my area its .11 cents a kWh and a fully discharged vehicle will be about a $1.3. Compare to my last car that got 19mpg it would take over 2 gallons of gas to the distance of one charge. I love my Volt.
93% of all owners love the car so much, they will absolutely buy again. Did you ever notice that 40 miles is the longest range of all the plug ins. 40 miles is also the most Americans drive 80% of the time according to the last census. It is the perfect range to shoot for. I've purchased 6 gallons of gas in 15 months.
While it's cool that you're getting such great mileage, how do you handle the problem of the gas becoming stale and gumming up the fuel system? If they could get the battery capacity to up to around 100 miles it'd be viable for my commute. Also, how much have you spent on electricity to charge the vehicle. Good video!
The Volt has a sealed, stainless steel gas tank. It is pressurized every time the gas door is closed. The gas is monitored and can not go stale. The computer forces you to use most of your gas before that happens.
***** What about that second car? It has to be gas. Also, search "Chevy Volt Owners Drive More Electric Miles Than Nissan Leaf Drivers: Why?" by Green Car Reports.
ra5928 If grandma falls & breaks a hip & has to go in a nursing home for 8 months or she dies & the car sits till the estate sale the fuel WILL be stale. No way around that.
Will C If grandmas "old school" & "never lets the tank get below half" then she falls & dies on a full tank I mean! Then it will be stale when the next of kin goes to move the car.
Well done Sir! If you're not already getting a commission from Chevy, you should be. While the Volt is nowhere near the quality of the Tesla, it doesn't cost $120,000 either. Thank you for your concise and informative review.
The engine never drives the wheels directly. That is impossible, as the main electric motor must always be part of the drive line. There is no way to lock out the main motor. This is the big difference between the volt and other Hybrids. In a conventional hybrid the engine can drive the wheels by itself, in the volt it can not.The engine is only connected to the driveline under specific conditions, and can supply no more than 50% power into the planatary gear set.
I was wondering if you'd look at the inside of the gas tank or possibly the fuel injector /carb fuel intake to see if the gas degradation from the 10%+ ethanol in our gas has left any green looking residue ? Ive seen it happen over a year..Meanwhile 10 year old gas in a field truck smells n works great still. I'd also be concerned with the life of the engine oil and base it more upon the appearance of it.
I have a UK version - the Vauxhall Ampera. It is the best car I have ever owned. The best bit is when you put your foot down at three miles an hour. The instant torque is breathtaking and so easy to use. You will beat any petrol engine vehicle across the lights if he isn't sitting there at 3000 r.p.m. ready to drop the clutch. I have severely embarrassed cars that are far faster on paper. My lifetime fuel consumption is currently 197 m.p.g. (Imperial) but I've done some long trips in it.
Now that's crazy. Cool ... but crazy. I'm the type that keeps cars for quite a while. Had two beautiful Seville's for 17 years each. Had them together for about 6 years. Kept them showroom new & sold them for 2 X blue book. You'd be surprised how many people want to buy a 15 + yr. old (new) car that they don't have to put a dime into. My 94 STS even smelled new inside. My caddy days were over until I got a look at the Cadillac ELR. Now I'm having second thoughts. Maybe in 7 years.
You can also look-up the article in Wall Street Journal by Holman Jenkins who states, “the gasoline engine that generates electricity when the (Volt) batteries are depleted will, under certain circumstances, directly turn the planetary ring gear and help drive the car.”
I bought a volt in October of 2013, and immediately it had a CEL for charging system coolant failure. 3 days later I get my car back after driving it only 1 day and was told I must have used the brakes too much. 5000 miles later it is back in the shop for another CEL for charging system coolant failure. 9 days later they replace a coolant pump for the charging system and hope they have it fixed. Who knows.
Continued from my previous message....converted to electricity which combines with the battery buffer to power the Volt's MGB electric motor. In this mode, the car is less efficient but is able to deliver higher output (more power) to the wheels.
just look at it, how could you not want it, it looks so sick
Pickin up one of these today....from Porsche to Volt !
I can't begin to say how pumped I am with the gas mileage....I'm 18 miles from work....screw gas prices!
+jeffbrent Totally worth it. My wife and I just bought a used 2012 Volt. We're 10.5 miles away from work, with a very hilly journey. We get to work and back with more than half of the battery life left. In the past month, we've used about half a gallon of gas, because we had a couple of unplanned longer trips. Sure beats the 40 gallons per month we were burning before. We raised the thermostat on our home air conditioner by 2 degrees, and that more than covers the cost of charging the car. Will NEVER go back to a gas car!
it's great tell they slam you will a $1,000 registration cost
I just bought a used 2014 - Same color! I LOVE this car.....excellent excellent excellent. Great review! Thanks
I bought a used one, a 2013 recently. The drive train and battery is warranties by GM and it's transferrable. If you drive one, you are likely to want one, especially if you are tech savvy and willing to try something new. GM put their best people on this project. This car has great potential for being long-term reliable. I love mine. This is very nearly a perfect application of current technology to the electrically driven vehicle. 2017 update: I bought a second used Volt for my wife.
Did you buy yours used ?
+Fred Medina 0609370 literally the first sentence from the guy, he said he got it used. Literally, did you even read?
Yeah, I used the word "used" a couple of times in relation to both used cars. Because they were used.
I really appreciate this review. I think you sold me on the car.
Hi Folks, can we please keep the conversation civil? There's enough nastiness around, without adding to it here. Thanks very much. :)
+Red Ferret you my friend are the reason i purchased a 2013 chevy volt! I watched your review back in 2013 and I finally have one! I thank you for this review!
+Renaldo V It's our pleasure, glad we could help. I personally feel that we're just about to see an explosion in hybrid and all electric technology, so hang on. :)
+Red Ferret Cant wait for the Tesla Model 3 as I'm not a fan of carrying around a gas engine just for the off chance I run out of electricity.
We need updates on the Volt please!!
Change the oil at lest once a year motor oil goes bad and filled with water
and engines can't get lucubrated by water
While in gas mode (battery depleted), when the foot is lifted from the pedal, the car coasts (recharging the battery) and reverts to battery because of the regenerative actions. At the light, the car is off (battery mode). The car remains in battery mode for about 1/8 of a mile, at which time, the gas generator turns back on. This occurs about 90% of the time.
Normal braking is not done by the pads. The E motor slows the car down to 3 mph. The pads take over then. Regenerative braking.
Thank you for doing this review! I was so confused on how hybrids work and now I understand. You are the first and only person who made me understand them completely. Thank you!
Just got a 2014 VOLT two weeks ago. High end one MSRP $38,500. In my 35 years of driving, I have had more than 10 cars including an AMG, BMW 740i, Corvette, Maxima, Toyota. We have 7 cars currently in my household in Los Angeles .... The VOLT is one of the best cars I have ever had. The guy below doesn't know what he is talking about. I leased the vehicle just in case they keep getting better. The interior is great and well appointed. Great Bose sound system, quiet, handles well, accelerate well, etc. I get about 48 miles out of one charge and I drive it at 75 mph in highway too in my commute. I recommend it highly.
do you still have the corvette, if so what year and model?
I do. 2005 Z51 package. Got it new and not planning to sell that.
is it a zr1, z06, or a grand sport
In 2005 there was no Z06 or ZR1 or Grand Sport. There was the base and the Z51. First year of C6. So I got the C6 Z51. Different trani, suspension, brakes, tires. .. etc. Z51 package is now available again on C7.
oh but can't wait till the new c7 z06 comes out. it's gonna have 650 hp
The 2013 Volt is programmed to run the ICE every 45 days if it detects no usage. The ICE will cycle for 10 minutes then shut itself off again. This is done to prevent "aging". PS: I love my 2013 Volt!
great review! I still don't understand why there isn't more hype for this car. It's a pretty revolutionary design.
It's do to a high number of people being retarded :D
The Volt is CARZYYYY MAD MADNESS...I use to pay about 60.00 a week in gas with a Toyota corolla, that's 240.00 a month...I've had my volt for a month now, and haven't put gas in since the dealer filled it upon the day of my purchase. 30 days later I'm just at half a tank!!!! dooooooooo the math!!! charging price you ask? so far free, I charge for free at public ev stations :-) win win boo boo
+Bad Ontario Drivers- obviously you are the adversary you work for Toyota hahahaha!! my employment requires me to drive, I do hundreds of miles per week, a little over a week ago I put $17 in gas empty to full!! in that time frame I grossed $1,000 income from $17 in gas and I am at half a tank .....helllloooooo winning!!!
As for my electric charging bill, its 0.... the city of Los Angeles has plenty of free charging stations.... Triple A has free charging, charge point also has free charging and I utilize them all everywhere I go.
Ive had my car since 2015 and I have not paid one penny in electricity for charging as of yet....again winning!!!!
+Bad Ontario Drivers lol good try Toyota of Ontario. I have driven every model of the Prius and still paid a lot in gas...i was paying 300 a mo in the prius, in the volt i pay 30 t0 40 a mo..... the volt is the number one car on the road hands down...I still love Toyota because I come to your facilities and charge my car for free hehe
+Bad Ontario Drivers The Volt isn't a bad car if you need a commuter car and especially if you can plug it in at home and/or work. If your round trip work commute is less than 50 miles, or 70 in the new Gen 2 Volt, you can easily do most of your trip, if not all of it, on electric.
Yes, electricity isn't free. But it's a lot cheaper than gas, and electric prices don't fluctuate like crazy like gas prices do.
The Volt is surprisingly low maintenance for the most part. The first 45k miles of scheduled maintenance is tire rotations every 7500 miles, and if done at a dealership, the techs check out the Voltec system for any irregularities. Oil changes are every 2 years if you don't use the gas engine much, or whenever the oil life meter in the car is under 10%, whichever comes first.
Electric motors have less moving parts compared to a gas engine, so that means less stuff to break down. Yes, the Volt still has a gas engine, but if you barely use it, you could easily have a 100k mile Volt that only has 5-10k on the engine. No gas car will ever be able to claim that.
Erick Belmer has recently passed the 300k mile mark on his 2012 Volt, of which over 100k of it was on electric. He still gets the same 35 miles of range today as he did when he first bought it a few years ago. And other than front wheel bearings (probably due to potholes since he lives in Ohio), he hasn't had any issues with the car.
GM really over-engineered and babied the heck out of the Volt's battery, because they had to get it right the first time. And it shows, compared to say, the Nissan Leaf's battery which has shown range loss in really hot climates, likely because Nissan cheaped out and used an air cooled system as opposed to the liquid cooled system the Volt uses.
No Volt owner's battery has yet to be replaced out of warranty, but cost estimates are around $3-4k if it has to be done, which is about the same as if you got an automatic transmission replacement in a gas car. I believe GM ran simulations where the battery held up fine even at 500k miles, but time will tell. The Volt's battery is not like your smartphone/laptop battery, so don't automatically rule it out because of that.
And of course the Volt isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for a more economical to run commuter car, used Gen 1 (2011-2015) Volts can be had for $10-18k easily, which is econocar territory.
But the Volt drives and feels like a $35k car. Give one a test drive if you don't believe anything I just said.
Ashelm56 s
Sir Charles wow that's crazy!
I agree. I have bought only 6 gallons of gas in 17 months. Buying gas is a waste of money. BTW, my son bought a Volt. He commutes 82 miles a day. He charges at work. He has cut his commute expense from $325 a month to $0. Pays the car payment.
Also, the 2013 and 2014 versions of the car plug into a regular wall outlet and takes approx. ten hours to complete a full charge. You can purchase a 240 outlet that will charge the car in 4 hours.
I absolutely cannot wait for the 2016 model to come out. My parents are looking at replacing their Toyota, and I've been pushing this car for them. I'll drive my Mazda a few more years until upgrading it to the Chevy Volt.
I'm noticing used Volts coming off lease selling for $27k. Because they're 3yrs old, they still qualify for a 5 year loan. For many people the lower cost of driving makes payments even more affordable.
It is still happening, I just bought a 2015 with 22k miles for $14,300.
I am glad that you enjoyed it!
I don't understand the reason why people have to be insulting and nasty! I'm in the market right now for an electric vehicle, keep the debate and the reviews coming. For the guys that are nasty and narrow minded, you can certainly express your opinion but keep the discussion civil, there is no need to be nasty!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video Red Ferret. NICE JOB!
We just purchased (May 2016) a used 2013 Volt Base with only 12,100 miles on it for less than $15,500. We looked at the same year, 2013 but was against it due to it's over $40,000 price tag. If you can get a good one used, they are a fantastic value.
I've gone over 800 miles on it and not used one ounce of gasoline.
That was a tremendous video. Super well done and covered every aspect of the vehicle. Even answered some things I didn’t know.
the best car you can get if you cant afford a Tesla, the Volt is better than bmws, audis, mercedes, etc
Fantastic review - I'm going to get one!
Cool, good luck. :)
Btw the engine is a 1.4L NA that has 83hp, not 160.
Other then that, exellent review. You're exactly the type of client for a Volt, someone who doesnt do a lot milleage and stay in the electric range.
Sorry, but you aren't all correct. The gas engine does not have the ability to power the vehicle; my uncle works for General Motors, and I drive one. The engine isn't connected to the wheels. When the battery is near the end of it's charge, the gas engine enables to charge the battery and power the vehicle; it's strictly an electric vehicle. It provides enough energy to keep the battery at it's level, and run the vehicle.
You are mostly right The Chevy volt has 4 modes. Mode 1, single motor full electric. At cruising speed, the planetary gearset will engage both electric motors, to reduce the speed of the main motor. Less power, but extends electric range. Mode 3, once the battery has depleted the gas engine spins the generator, which keeps the battery in it's low limit charge, main electric moving car. Mode 4 adds the gas engine for high speed crusiing.This increases fuel efficency. I have 16000 miles on my volt
No hard feelings or anything, just teasing. I really liked your review. Would you suggest I wait for the 2016 model or is the tech/refinement in the current model more than adequate even after all these years?
It is very easy to share the all the great aspects of the Volt, like unbelievable milaege (900 mpg in many cases), faster 0-60 times than most cars in its class, unlimited range to drive as far as you want when you want
Thnx for this very informative vid,,the MPG is truly impressive!
I'm only hoping GM will put this drivetrain into their big trucks soon...
Check out Via Trucks. 100 mpg full size pickups and vans. Great reviews on TH-cam.
Do you still have the Volt? Would you buy one with 100k on it?
Another thing: you cannot shift the vehicle out of park with the charge cord attached. Just another side note. :)
Great review - I thought I knew everything about it, but I didn't realize that the gas motor could also send power to the wheels. As to the discussion about cost, people need to realize that the cost of a vehicle is not what you pay for it, but what it depreciates while you own it. I bought mine with a 72-month 0% loan from GM, and will get my $7500 credit just five months later - it pays for the entire first year. Time will tell as to resale value, but the few for sale now seem to maintain valu
Do you use the OnStar service for anything? Are there any big sacrifices to not having OnStar, and just using a smartphone with Bluetooth?
The fuel in my car starts going bad after just 90 days. How do they prevent bad fuel In a volt that may have the same gas in it for a year or more. Can't figure out how ethical al fuels could still be good at that length. They may still start but what does the engine think about running on green sludge?
Thank you for posting this, very informative
i bought a 2017 volt in September.
it runs great, i have a level 2 charger at home. i plug it in at nite and wake up to full battery. then i use battery until i get to freeway then switch it to gas with the "hold" mode. then when i get off freeway close to work i change it back to battery. then on mountain mode on way home.
Looks exactly like my 2012, same interior and everything. The only difference is I'm at 90k miles not 9k! How many miles are on yours now, if you still have it?
It depends a little on the weather... however, without an intermediate charge you could expect to burn 0.4-.75 gallons of gas
Comprehensive & well produced review. Thanks for posting.
Will you consider adding solar panels to your house (if you own one)?
Great review; I leased a 2013 Volt and love it! I have put about 1000 miles on it and used about 13 gallons of gas. Primarily because I made a round trip of more than 300 miles and a round trip to one of my favorite stores is about 20 miles shy of a full charge range. Still much better than my Chevy trail blazer.
hey lisen up i have a question what if you change this car to LPG it would be even more economic then who can help me and tell me if that is possible (in my country lpg is half the price and the electricity will be free because where i shop it has a place wher you can plug your car in for free )
Red Ferret thanks for posting. I love my 2011. No car like it in the world. Truly. Let the folks that don't understand them continue to wonder . . . cs
My 2013 has 30,000 miles ... 30 gallons total ... hard city miles. 97% all electric.My Wattmeter indicates $23/month electricity... 3.5 years. Two oil changes total.Least maintenance .. lowest noise... best brakes... no tranny... no shifting... No ICE comes close.
How long could you leave it parked before the battery bricks? Say I'm gone a month and leave it unplugged in airport parking.
That's impresive! The average Volt owner gets about 1,000 per each gas tank, wich is only 9 gallons. We were getting 221 MPG in about 300 miles in our Demo at the dealership. The problem? The Haters! Nobody is buying this amazing machine that was Motor Trend Car of the Year, North American Car of the Year and Car and Driver 10 Best because it doesn't have a Toyota or Honda emblem. This is a game changer and if more people were buying it, the oil companies would be in trouble. Go GM!
That's really impressive! Are most electric cars this convenient? Or is this a feature exclusively reserved for the Chevy volt?
I am on my second pre owned Volt, sold the 2012 to my sister, bought a low mileage 2014.
Both have been great cars. Few issues, high quality and since I have solar on my house, I basically charge for free. I am on the waiting list for a model 3, but today I do not think I am going to take advantage of it. The Volt does everything I need it to do and no range issues if I want to make a trip. So, if you buy pre owned, the cost to run is lower than most anything out there and you will have a great comfortable car. I am having my new one ceramic coated next week, so I think I am going to keep it, certainly if the US tax credit goes away, the Tesla will make no economic sense to buy. If I got it, would be an emotional I WANT IT decision, not a practical decision.
Im getting a 2012 premium volt next week. I cant wait! worth the money
Very nice video, learned alot
How much have you spent on charging the Volt, plus the charger?
Mike The 240 volt charger I bought is called a Voltec. I think they are overpriced but I think everything is overpriced. I bought mine in 2012 for $500 and installed it myself. In Oklahoma, our electric rates are fairly low. I think they are around 12 cents per kWh. I don't have a monitor on my Voltec to know how much it costs to charge but my monthly bill is negligibly higher. I would guess around $30-$35 per month. We charge it every day. My wife drives the cars 20 miles, one way, to work so the battery is nearly discharged once per day.
Thanks for the clear concise review and explanation. Ive had to suffer through some of the worst reviews by supposed automotive experts that were not anywhere as clear and informative as yours. The worst is when they are just reading from a cue card as they try to explain the drivetrain.
So is it worth to buy this car or no?
And how much gas does this use ?
I agree. Plus the bed area could house some serious batteries. You would have to raise up the load area in the bed a few inches, but it would be a great place for some batteries.
Can't wait til the new Volt comes out!
that sounds good, even in jamiaca where the cost electricity being so high I calculate about a 50% savings on travelling.
but you guys! you guys save like 90%. Im surprized that isnt the only car you guys will buy.
Depends on your electric company.... in some areas it can be less than $1.00 a day (at $0.09/Kw) but in other areas it could be double that amount.
DISCONTINUED IN EUROPE, JAPAN, AND AUSTRALIA. The Americans get the new G2 version, but the overseas markets do not, because overseas drivers did not want the car (they already have 50-80 mpg diesels)
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how would u rate that car in the cold an snow? just asking bc i am in ALaska
Great summary - I wish I had thought about one of these before buying a different car a couple years ago. The hybrid cars have had a very good reliability rating, CR gave this a "recommended" and what's not to like about hardly needing to put gas in it? The electric panel is a drawback but your cost of "fuel" is very low compared to gasoline. I think it also charges on 115volt in a pinch correct?
Good input for me to decide which hybrid/electric car should I get.
Also in my area (Indiana) they have the Clean Cities Program...Check you area / power company as its not really advertised.
They come out to your house: provide a 240v charging station (free)
Install a new meter and run 240v power to it (free)
And all charging to the vehicle off peak is totally (free)
I purchased mine used 2012 with a huge sticker savings. I cant justify the monthly payment on a new one.
Question: how often do you have to buy another charging station (if at all)? And...some people would not be inclined to buy an electric vehicle because they might think that the money they will not spend on gas, will be spent paying electricity bills...so what has been your experience with that?
Nice review, wish we have this in the Philippines.
How much did you electrical bill increase by after you purchased the Volt
This is mind blowing.
I purchased the Volt and already had a Kill-A-Watt meter. I constantly got a total of 13 kilowatt hours to charge the car. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. There are several other Volt owners who used Kill-A-Watt meters to calculate their charging costs. Find your average cost for electric power and multiply that by 13 = cost for charge from 0. A little less with the 240V. cuz fans or heaters work less during charging. Quicker charge, less fan or heater time.
After further investigation the Volt does have specific situations upon the engine providing some minor charge to the battery. However, in the definition of a hybrid, the engine does recharge the battery. The Volt, if not plugged in will not work as an EV and will run the engine so as to provide electrons. I stand corrected as to the technical specs. However, the Volt is an EV not a hybrid, and charging the battery using an EVSE is required. Otherwise, it is an ICE car and not an efficient one due to the battery/components weight. Like most present EV's, except for Tesla, it is a city/short range EV. Cheers.
what about reliability??? Also, HOW MUCH to charge it? It's not free!! Give the year for reliability too so we know what year you are pertaining to.
Oh, and another thing: if you keep you volt plugged in at all times, it will keep the battery at driving temperatures, so it saves some energy. :) And use the remote start when it's plugged in to have the car heat or cool the car, without using the battery life. :) I love my Volt, and I've had it for nearly nine months.
That is amazing. This is my dream practical car!
Love my Volt! Averaging about 138MPG
question for any volt owners-how is the leg room in the shotgun seat of the volt? My friend is 6 8" and we're thinking of taking a road trip up to Oregon.
You don't have to use 91 octane ... the mid-grade here is 89 octane and engine runs fine with 37K miles here. I have a Ford F-150 that I use in snow and for longer trips with all family gear. The Volt is for some days when I commute and shorter trips for errands ... no complaints; better than the Prius we sold.
Perfect day and driving conditions, drove all electric 53 miles.
red volt with chrome rims and beige interior is by far the nicest volt
These are sold in Australia with Holden badges. Haven't seen too many on the road, but Priuses are everywhere, particularly as taxis.
In the Europe the Chevy Volt was available as "Opel Ampera" but it is very rare because it was probably too expensive for many people!
My top electric range according to the dashboard has been 47 miles. However, I know that I have driven 11 miles when the monitor went from 47 to 45. So, how you drive has a HUGE impact on whether you use the predicted amount or less or more.
In the second year, my range has grown to 51 miles. Perhaps as the battery ages it gets stronger.
And how much electricity did it use? 14G gas is VERY misleading. Oil also loses its life over time, not use alone.
currently driving a Pirus C. only get 48-55 MPG. I will buy a plug in hybrid for my next car. you can say Volt is a EV (36 mile range) with extend gas engine. :)
how high was electricity bill per month?
How do you think this would do on highway commutes of @ 60 miles a day?through a few townships and @ a dozen redlights
with that charging station, how does your power bill look?
Typically about $30 more a month.
Kent Purdy Damm that's cheaper than 4 $80 fillups. I guess our power grid will be overworked when everybody has one plugged in.
Will C My charger is 240v/15amps - same as a dryer but less than AC. I don't think the grid will notice, especially if charging is done overnight.
My $30 month replaced 4x$70. Yes, it makes a big difference.
It’s looks like older electric ⚡️ cars are worth holding onto, lots of battery specialists popping up, enabling the upgrade of older/worn batteries, further extending the range and life of the vehicle
It would be nice to know how many kW you charged to drive the 9.000 miles.
That is different than what is stated in Motor Trend
look up the Motor trend article about the Chevy Volt's Planetary gear - excerpt below
"Once the Volt’s battery is depleted, the engine fires up and clutches to the generator to produce the power required to drive the car. Above 70 mph, when the generator couples to the ring gear, the engine gets a more efficient direct mechanical connection to the wheels."
The Volt looks like a great package. I just wonder about the ownership experience 5-7 years down the road. Like when its time to get a new battery pack. Great Video.
I wonder how that rear suspension is going to hold up in the NYC/NJ metro with those pothole & those soft mushy self-destructing rubber bushings GM has been using for the last 30 yrs. That's what I wonder.
Will C The added weight of the battery pack in the rear is likely going to pound & bend all suspension components over the lifespan of the vehicle in a pothole paradise!
I wonder if they still use Chevette suspension components? I was amazed how they put together the Fiero. As I understand it they turned an Xcar drivetrain around backwards to power it and then used a Chevette suspension to hold up the other end and made a Franken Car. Actually parts bin engineering is fine when it works out but when it doesn't it seems pathetic.
In my area its .11 cents a kWh and a fully discharged vehicle will be about a $1.3. Compare to my last car that got 19mpg it would take over 2 gallons of gas to the distance of one charge. I love my Volt.
93% of all owners love the car so much, they will absolutely buy again. Did you ever notice that 40 miles is the longest range of all the plug ins. 40 miles is also the most Americans drive 80% of the time according to the last census. It is the perfect range to shoot for. I've purchased 6 gallons of gas in 15 months.
While it's cool that you're getting such great mileage, how do you handle the problem of the gas becoming stale and gumming up the fuel system? If they could get the battery capacity to up to around 100 miles it'd be viable for my commute. Also, how much have you spent on electricity to charge the vehicle. Good video!
That would really make it a much more attractive option.
The Volt has a sealed, stainless steel gas tank. It is pressurized every time the gas door is closed. The gas is monitored and can not go stale. The computer forces you to use most of your gas before that happens.
***** What about that second car? It has to be gas. Also, search "Chevy Volt Owners Drive More Electric Miles Than Nissan Leaf Drivers: Why?" by Green Car Reports.
ra5928 If grandma falls & breaks a hip & has to go in a nursing home for 8 months or she dies & the car sits till the estate sale the fuel WILL be stale. No way around that.
Will C If grandmas "old school" & "never lets the tank get below half" then she falls & dies on a full tank I mean! Then it will be stale when the next of kin goes to move the car.
Well done Sir! If you're not already getting a commission from Chevy, you should be. While the Volt is nowhere near the quality of the Tesla, it doesn't cost $120,000 either. Thank you for your concise and informative review.
The chevy volt is underestimated, nice video
The engine never drives the wheels directly. That is impossible, as the main electric motor must always be part of the drive line. There is no way to lock out the main motor. This is the big difference between the volt and other Hybrids. In a conventional hybrid the engine can drive the wheels by itself, in the volt it can not.The engine is only connected to the driveline under specific conditions, and can supply no more than 50% power into the planatary gear set.
I was wondering if you'd look at the inside of the gas tank or possibly the fuel injector /carb fuel intake to see if the gas degradation from the 10%+ ethanol in our gas has left any green looking residue ? Ive seen it happen over a year..Meanwhile 10 year old gas in a field truck smells n works great still. I'd also be concerned with the life of the engine oil and base it more upon the appearance of it.
How much do you pay extra for your electrical bill?
I have a UK version - the Vauxhall Ampera. It is the best car I have ever owned. The best bit is when you put your foot down at three miles an hour. The instant torque is breathtaking and so easy to use. You will beat any petrol engine vehicle across the lights if he isn't sitting there at 3000 r.p.m. ready to drop the clutch. I have severely embarrassed cars that are far faster on paper. My lifetime fuel consumption is currently 197 m.p.g. (Imperial) but I've done some long trips in it.
Now that's crazy. Cool ... but crazy. I'm the type that keeps cars for quite a while. Had two beautiful Seville's for 17 years each. Had them together for about 6 years. Kept them showroom new & sold them for 2 X blue book. You'd be surprised how many people want to buy a 15 + yr. old (new) car that they don't have to put a dime into. My 94 STS even smelled new inside. My caddy days were over until I got a look at the Cadillac ELR. Now I'm having second thoughts. Maybe in 7 years.
You can also look-up the article in Wall Street Journal by Holman Jenkins who states, “the gasoline engine that generates electricity when the (Volt) batteries are depleted will, under certain circumstances, directly turn the planetary ring gear and help drive the car.”
I bought a volt in October of 2013, and immediately it had a CEL for charging system coolant failure. 3 days later I get my car back after driving it only 1 day and was told I must have used the brakes too much. 5000 miles later it is back in the shop for another CEL for charging system coolant failure. 9 days later they replace a coolant pump for the charging system and hope they have it fixed. Who knows.
Have you figured out how much money in electric does it take to charge the volt
Continued from my previous message....converted to electricity which combines with the battery buffer to power the Volt's MGB electric motor. In this mode, the car is less efficient but is able to deliver higher output (more power) to the wheels.