I would not have considered an electric car for this very reason, but the Volt has me thinking - I enjoyed excellent fuel efficiency and a level of performance that belied the Volt’s green credentials. The second-generation Volt supplies a very viable answer, and simply because it is not hog-tied by range anxiety as is the case with most electric conveyances, especially in a colder clime. While Chevrolet’s innovative electric hybrid might officially be headed to that great big junkyard in the sky, the Volt will still live on in the hearts and minds of hackers who’d rather. The electrification of the automobile is inevitable. This aspect mandates the installation of a 220-volt charger. That would, for a typical 9 to 5-er, make it a drive-every-other-day proposition if one wants to enjoy the efficiency the battery-powered side brings to the party. My 110-volt outlet only put an 80 per cent charge in the battery after 13 hours, 25 minutes and 19 seconds (yes, I was uptight enough to time it). I also learned the importance of having the right plug in the garage. Personally neither would be a deal-breaker as there are plenty of cars with similar hang-ups. The hitch is the centre rear rider has no real leg space and the cup holders are liable to geld them in the event of a rapid stop. Chevrolet lists the passenger capacity as five and delivers the requisite number of seatbelts. The second may prove to be more problematic to a prospective buyer with a family. The first is some of the plastics, especially those on the rear door panels and around the central storage tray, do not belong in a mid-price car - $45,200 as tested for this Premier trim Volt. A rotary dial for volume control and scrolling through the MyLink menu is a neat old school idea in contemporary packaging I wouldn't mind such a function for scrolling through radio, XM and Pandora stations, though you can do that with the thumb scroll on the steering wheel if you preset your favorites.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Volt has a touchpoint face plate instead of push-down buttons. I've had issues with Chevy's MyLink, which came with my upgrade ($895), but I had to spend more time with it and program it to maximize its utility. The front cabin is roomy and everything is within reach without having to change position in your seat. The center armrest in the backseat was big enough that the kids didn't think to fight about it. The Volt seats only 4 but it does so comfortably and spaciously. Heated leather front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rear seat removable armrest cost $1,395 and were well worth it, upping the sportiness and the interior versatility.īoth back seats fold down and, with the armrest out, add about 4.5 more cubic feet to a max cargo load of 15 total cubic feet of flat space to transport anything but people. The other goodies on the premium trim package were on the interior. My test car had $5,000 in upgrades, including the sharp crystal red paint job. Factor in the $7,500 federal tax credit and state rebates like the $4,000 offered in Illinois(at 10 percent of purchase price), and the Volt can be had for about $23,000 (plus destination). In August, Chevy dropped the price $5,000 to $34,185. Though there is more body roll than I expected, the Volt is a smooth, sporty enough drive that is competitively priced. It's responsive and nimble when passing at cruising speeds, which is impressive since it weighs 3,781 pounds, about 500 pounds more than the Leaf. Chevy says the 273 pound-feet of torque can get it to 0-60 in 8.9 seconds but it doesn't feel fast. ![]() It gets an EPA-estimated 37 mpg on gas only, which is on the higher end of fuel economy for gas engines. Chevy estimates that Volt owners average 900 miles between fill ups. With the range-extending generator, you don't really need it. The Volt is not compatible with DC fast charging and a Volt spokesperson confirmed that Chevy has no plans to announce it, though the Spark EV will be DC compatible in the winter. The connection needs a firm snap and it won't do that unless you're lined up, so I'm sure you'd be able to plug in blind after a week or two of doing it every night.Ĭharging at work is an awesome way to guarantee you won't have to use any gas. Since you'll mostly be charging at night and overhead garage lights might not reach the port that faces the wall, it'd be nice if the door lit up so you could clearly see it. One thing I would've liked is illumination on the port. ![]() Once charged, it flashes green if hooked up improperly, it's a dull orange. There is a quarter-sized bubble light in the center where the dash meets the windshield that turns green when you plug in, so you can see it from outside and inside.
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