Gen 1 GM Volt Plug-In Hybrid (2011-2015)

[redLEAF]

I loved this follow on the whole "GM is losing big bucks on every Volt they sell" ... enjoy

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121022/carnews/121029975#ixzz2ADkBVZnc

 

[Stoaty]

General Motors Co. said Monday it is upgrading the software on about 4,000 2013 plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt cars because a glitch could cause the electric motor to shut down:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121023/AUTO0103/210230323/1148/auto01/GM-upgrading-13-Volt-software-fix-glitch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[IBELEAF]

So the cold weather has been around and I am averaging 28 miles on Volt, which is about 20%+ range drop from EPA numbers, where Leaf had roughly 30% range drop under the same conditions, route and driving style, although I never fully depleted the battery for obvious reasons.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

So the cold weather has been around and I am averaging 28 miles on Volt, which is about 20%+ range drop from EPA numbers, where Leaf had roughly 30% range drop under the same conditions, route and driving style, although I never fully depleted the battery for obvious reasons.

wow 28 EV miles? that is a bit low. i have to try to run into my "local Volt contact" he is plugged in frequently downtown although not as much now that Blink is no longer free. i am going to have to "run into him" one of these days to see how his 2nd winter is going so far. he is just now at a year of ownership

 

[IBELEAF]

Keep in mind that I am probably one of the least efficient drivers, that's one of the reasons why Leaf didn't work out for me. Actually, I never got EPA rated numbers in my all my previous cars, so it's not really surprising.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Keep in mind that I am probably one of the least efficient drivers, that's one of the reasons why Leaf didn't work out for me. Actually, I never got EPA rated numbers in my all my previous cars, so it's not really surprising.

even better to rocket around and still not pay for gas! 28 miles would cover half of my driving.

 

[LTLFTcomposite]

Does anyone know offhand, what is GM's Volt production capacity, and what % of it is utilized? (steady state given current sales rate of 3000/month, I suppose that would be 36,000/annual capacity X 100)

 

[scottf200]

It is cool in Chicagoland and other parts of the country. Efficiency is coming up regularly.

As for the Volt's heated seats see below. Seems pretty small so turn those babies on!

Low: 15 Watts - 33% duty cycle (30SecOn/(30+60))
Med: 30 Watts - 60% duty cycle (60SecOn/(60+40))
High: 45 Watts - ??% duty cycle

(thanks for pauldon on gm-volt)

 

[edatoakrun]

Does anyone know offhand, what is GM's Volt production capacity, and what % of it is utilized? (steady state given current sales rate of 3000/month, I suppose that would be 36,000/annual capacity X 100)

I can't provide a current source, but the last statement I can recall was that Volt production capacity had been increased to ~60,000 a year, implying Volt output may now be at ~60% capacity?

You might want to see more of the article here I posted on the sales thread for Volt/Ampera sales broken down by Country, and the worldwide totals:

...It's not often that Nissan releases a global LEAF sales figure at roughly the same time as comprehensive Volt sales data emerges. Oftentimes, these results will be posted months apart, making a true comparison impossible. But this time, the Volt's cumulative (2010 through 2012) sales data is current as of October 31, 2012 and Nissan's figures (launch to present) are, too. So, it's 42,700 for the LEAF and 33,036 for the Volt. ...

http://www.plugincars.com/global-nissan-leaf-sales-still-lead-chevy-volt-ampera-125302.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

x-post from:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10511&start=60" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[DrInnovation]

Does anyone know offhand, what is GM's Volt production capacity, and what % of it is utilized? (steady state given current sales rate of 3000/month, I suppose that would be 36,000/annual capacity X 100)

Max production with the previous line was about 5000 cars (Volt+Malibu), don't know what was added with the impala changes.. but would expect it to remain about the same. They do have another plant for Malibus so it can have production shifted if needed. This is just one shift, theoretically they could add another.

 

[mwalsh]

I haven't seen too many pictures of the production Volt "skateboard", and certainly none like this, with the guts showing. So I was happy to see this on display at today's LAAS. Somewhat surprising, even with the added complexity of the gasoline engine, how uncomplicated a design it actually would appear to be. Here is some Volt porn for your enjoyment:

 

[mwalsh]

And more:

 

[mwalsh]

Last two:

 

[surfingslovak]

Very cool, Mike, thanks! I'm doing my best to see a bit of LAAS tomorrow afternoon. The timing of an event I would love to go to unfortunately conflicts with my work commitments. This is definitely more fun.

 

[GRA]

Forget if it's been mentioned yet, but Volt tops CR's list of owner satisfaction for the second straight year - see

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/ownersatisfaction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and various EV websites. It's dropped a bit, from 93% to _only_ 92%.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Forget if it's been mentioned yet, but Volt tops CR's list of owner satisfaction for the second straight year - see

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/ownersatisfaction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and various EV websites. It's dropped a bit, from 93% to _only_ 92%.

what CR did not report is % of people who were asked "Can you afford the buy the Volt AND gas?"

those #'s were not so rosy

 

[Boomer23]

Mike, thanks for all the reporting and pictures. Much appreciated advance info.

 

[scottf200]

GM/OnStar have a new iPhone|iPod|Android app called:
Chevrolet Volt Driver Challenge (aka VoltDC)

Android version: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=chevrolet+volt+dc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Description
Track, maximize and compare your Chevy Volt’s efficiency using the VoltDC app.
The Chevrolet Volt Driver Challenge (DC) app, connected to OnStar, lets you track, maximize and compare your Volt’s efficiency.
Keep an eye on your vehicle’s stats while setting goals to boost over-all efficiency for your driving style. As you reach new milestones, you’ll earn badges that you can share on Facebook and Twitter. It’s all part of a community of Chevy Volt owners engaged in friendly competition.
Features:
• Get the most from your Volt, for your driving style
• Track your driving behavior and find patterns over time
• Set daily goals and earn achievements for beating them
• See how your efficiency compares to the VoltDC community
• Easily share your achievements and stats

 

[GRA]

Forget if it's been mentioned yet, but Volt tops CR's list of owner satisfaction for the second straight year - see

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/ownersatisfaction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and various EV websites. It's dropped a bit, from 93% to _only_ 92%.

what CR did not report is % of people who were asked "Can you afford the buy the Volt AND gas?"

those #'s were not so rosy

Since there's absolutely no need for them to buy and install a home EVSE, I'm sure they're doing just fine. And the fact that most of them don't need a second car just for trips would also help their bottom line.

 

[Herm]

Scott, does that app keep track of the color of your Volt?