So now 20 months.
There has never been a problem with our 14 Volt. The local Big-O rotated the tires but didn't reset the wheel location so the display is confused. Easy Fix.
Very peppy and quiet. Reminds me of driving a heavy Audi 500CS Wagon.
Our local grocery trips are 40 miles round trip. That uses 2 beer cans of gas at Most.
Trip some 130 miles to largest major shopping, that is 65 MPG and a bit under 2.6 Gallons.
A log trip over the Colorado mountains on I-70 to Northern Colorado was 960 miles rount trip @ 61.5 MPG, however we did use our Daughter's 110 outlet to charge for shopping in Loveland 3 night. ( 15.6 gal )
An electric charge is about $1.15 for 40 miles. Takes 4 hours with 220 v.
The year 2014 we got 114 MPG. Plus about $20/month in added electricity. You could convert the $20 to 5 gallons of gas to adjust the 114 MPG downward.
We don't regret needing a quick trip to (or back) to the grocery as it is essentially free to drive that 6 miles round trip!
My gas use estimate for you:
If your typical month is always 38 miles a day : 250 MPG
Mostly under 40 miles: 115 MPG
Add in a couple of 130-140 days : 105 MPG
Daily 50-70 miles: probably 80 MPG
Daily 120 miles: probably 60 MPG
We get 41 on gas alone, and sometimes toss in some regular or local ethanol-free fuel rather than the suggested premium.
Upcoming 2014 off-lease Volts will be a bargain because the Volt-2 will push down their prices. So add the big GM service contract and enjoy one!
Fuel economy
Many of us Volt owners think Chevy is under-advertising the features of the car.
Our usage in three months is 3100 miles. Our tabulated mileage for gasoline is 88 MPG, or somewhere around 7 gallons a month.
The largest percentage use is on the home charged 220 volt system which loads 11 kWh into the battery. Depending on outside temperature, this gives between 34 to 38 miles of electric driving, and as spring comes, it will be into the low 40's.
An electric charge at the8c rate costs about a dollar. We bought a Clipper Creek 220 Volt charger... it does the task in 4 hours, and it is portable. You can charge on 110volts too, andthat takes 10 hours.
You have the choice of how to use the drive system: All electric first, then gas. Or gas first, then electric. And two combined modes.
In cold weather we start out with a plugged-in preheat, then go Gas Only to warm it fully, especially if the planned trip will be requiring some gas use because of the distance. For short trips, we use battery power to warm the cabin and seats.
Our shopping is a 38 mile trip with a 500 foot elevation change. We do that trip so the total gas usage is 2/10ths of a gallon, sometimes 3/10ths. Our Church trips make up a large portion of the driving miles, and they are always all electric for the 22 mile trip.
One thing this does is give a "good feeling" about running an errand.... it is esentally costless.
GM Onstar keeps track of all energy use. But I also keep a book log.
Some folks don't realize that you coulddrive this car all across the country on gas, and get 37 MPG.
Warranty, maintenance cost
I have had people ask' " what happens when the battery goes dead? Won't you have to spend $10,000 to replace it?"
Nope.
The battery and all the drive system has an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty. And it appears that almost no Volts have had any battery issue. Plus they are modules that are individually monitored and serviceable. A full replacement costs about $2,500-3,000.
We lease because our one-year Federal Tax is less than the Federal $7,500 Credit. So the leasing company takes that credit.
The rest of the car has a full warranty and free regular service. Then at somewhere short of 36,000 miles, we will determine if we will buy the car. It is a free option. If we like it, then we purchase a warranty extension out for another 4 years directly from GM. Costs about $900.
Quietness
Running on battery is a joy. 70 MPH is a silent dream.
Tires
There is an inflation kit, but no spare. Road service is part of the warranty. If we used this for extended trips, I'd consider buying a spare tire and rim.
Interior styling
We like the interior. Ours has leather. It all feels rather sporty inside. While not exceptionally fast, the quarter mile time is about 16.4 seconds, and the top speed is 102 MPH. But you won't get many electric laps at that speed.
The Volt is a 4 seater because the battery runs down the center, and then across the rear under the seat.
Safety & braking
There have been no fatal accidents in a Volt yet.
One fire due to the Insurance Institute crash test when they did not remove the battery, then two weeks later it ignited.
There was another fire in a garage when a homemade electric car parked next to the Volt caught fire.
Rear seat room & comfort
Rear seat is adequate, but it is difficult to install or remove a child seat. The cushion is too firm to make this easy.
