Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Here's what happens when you don't use your Chevy Volt gas engine "enough"

Voltdriver · 07-26-2012, 12:54 PM

Hi All. You have referenced my blog. I was looking at the statistics and saw this URL as a referrer...

To answer a few questions above... The Volt is perfect for me. It actually makes more sense, in a lot of ways, than a Leaf. I make some longer distance trips from time to time (although in the last 6 months, I've only made about 6 80+ mile trips), and having that gas generator is a HUGE benefit. I have also noticed just how much range is affected in 100+ degree heat, and there have been situations where I would have been very nervous driving a Leaf to certain locations, unsure if I would have the juice to make it back. Having that piece of mind that you won't be stranded is great.

While I may be hauling around a small engine I don't need on a regular basis, conversely I have not hauling around another 9kWh of battery that I'll likely not need for daily commutes, so I say it evens itself out.

I don't really care too much about the cycling of the battery. I think most of you know that the Volt, while having a 16 kWh battery, only uses 10 of those for travel. 3 kWh is minimum state of charge (you aren't allowed to discharge to 0 like you are on a leaf) and 3 kWh are used when the original 10 start to not hold a charge. GM has warrantied no more than 30% loss at 100k miles, so I am not caring about the cycling of the battery, or they will replace cells. Plus, given the really high resale value of the car, and that I purchased it when the .9% financing was not available, I should actually be able to sell my car in about 6 months, take more money in to buy a new Volt, and get a lower finance rate.

I've actually traded my Volt with a Leaf owner for a day, and while the Leaf is a nice car, I wouldnt trade my car for it. I think the Volt is superior in every way, except having that 5th seat and a little extra leg room in the back seats.

During maintenance mode, the car just runs the engine to essentially kick the rust off. Fuel maintenance mode is completely different, and if your fuel gets old enough, it will force you to burn it so it won't go stale.

I have a lot more stuff at voltowner.blogspot.com. Feel free to ask me any questions.

07-26-2012, 12:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
Voltdriver EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 1 Post	Hi All. You have referenced my blog. I was looking at the statistics and saw this URL as a referrer... To answer a few questions above... The Volt is perfect for me. It actually makes more sense, in a lot of ways, than a Leaf. I make some longer distance trips from time to time (although in the last 6 months, I've only made about 6 80+ mile trips), and having that gas generator is a HUGE benefit. I have also noticed just how much range is affected in 100+ degree heat, and there have been situations where I would have been very nervous driving a Leaf to certain locations, unsure if I would have the juice to make it back. Having that piece of mind that you won't be stranded is great. While I may be hauling around a small engine I don't need on a regular basis, conversely I have not hauling around another 9kWh of battery that I'll likely not need for daily commutes, so I say it evens itself out. I don't really care too much about the cycling of the battery. I think most of you know that the Volt, while having a 16 kWh battery, only uses 10 of those for travel. 3 kWh is minimum state of charge (you aren't allowed to discharge to 0 like you are on a leaf) and 3 kWh are used when the original 10 start to not hold a charge. GM has warrantied no more than 30% loss at 100k miles, so I am not caring about the cycling of the battery, or they will replace cells. Plus, given the really high resale value of the car, and that I purchased it when the .9% financing was not available, I should actually be able to sell my car in about 6 months, take more money in to buy a new Volt, and get a lower finance rate. I've actually traded my Volt with a Leaf owner for a day, and while the Leaf is a nice car, I wouldnt trade my car for it. I think the Volt is superior in every way, except having that 5th seat and a little extra leg room in the back seats. During maintenance mode, the car just runs the engine to essentially kick the rust off. Fuel maintenance mode is completely different, and if your fuel gets old enough, it will force you to burn it so it won't go stale. I have a lot more stuff at voltowner.blogspot.com. Feel free to ask me any questions. Last edited by Voltdriver; 07-26-2012 at 01:04 PM..