An All-Electric Week in a Plug-in Hybrid - 2016 Chevrolet Volt

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An All-Electric Week in a Plug-in Hybrid - 2016 Chevrolet Volt

I signed out our 2016 Chevrolet Volt because of the carpool lane stickers, but it soon became clear I could drive it like an EV on electricity all week.

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kirkhilles1

Cool, thanks for that update. To me, though, a plug-in hybrid is still too complicated to really have much value. You still have to maintain and fix the mechanical components and so unless you place high value on the whole "look at me, I'm green!" aspect, its tough to justify especially with cheap gas looking like the new norm. A 100-150+ mile range Leaf or Bolt would make much more sense to me if I knew that I never had to worry about oil changes or idle controllers or stalling (been there recently) again. I'd want bulletproof reliability.

daryleason

Gasoline, electricity, and diesel prices fluctuate so much that there's no telling where they'll ever really be. If I were going to go the EV route, I'd only be interested in a plug-in hybrid because I live out in the country, in Texas, where there isn't nearly anything like the California EV charge support. Plus, I like the idea of having ICE as a backup in case of an EV issue. I still don't think EVs are where they need to be. I know they're overpriced. I'm not sure if they'll ever become truly cost-effective, but I hope they will.

nagant

kirkhilles1 said:

Cool, thanks for that update. To me, though, a plug-in hybrid is still too complicated to really have much value. You still have to maintain and fix the mechanical components and so unless you place high value on the whole "look at me, I'm green!" aspect, its tough to justify especially with cheap gas looking like the new norm. A 100-150+ mile range Leaf or Bolt would make much more sense to me if I knew that I never had to worry about oil changes or idle controllers or stalling (been there recently) again. I'd want bulletproof reliability.

What was the mechanical wear and tear on an ICE that was not started once in 485 miles? Gas prices are indeed cheap making the break even point farther out but PHEVs are a far better deal than even two years ago.

nagant

daryleason said:

Gasoline, electricity, and diesel prices fluctuate so much that there's no telling where they'll ever really be. If I were going to go the EV route, I'd only be interested in a plug-in hybrid because I live out in the country, in Texas, where there isn't nearly anything like the California EV charge support. Plus, I like the idea of having ICE as a backup in case of an EV issue. I still don't think EVs are where they need to be. I know they're overpriced. I'm not sure if they'll ever become truly cost-effective, but I hope they will.

Gas and diesel prices fluctuate but since when and where to electricity prices move up and down like a commodity like fuel does? Public utility commissions make sure that elec rates dont do exactly what you are saying they do.

schen72

kirkhilles1 said:

Cool, thanks for that update. To me, though, a plug-in hybrid is still too complicated to really have much value. You still have to maintain and fix the mechanical components and so unless you place high value on the whole "look at me, I'm green!" aspect, its tough to justify especially with cheap gas looking like the new norm. A 100-150+ mile range Leaf or Bolt would make much more sense to me if I knew that I never had to worry about oil changes or idle controllers or stalling (been there recently) again. I'd want bulletproof reliability.

Cheap gas is the new norm -- until it's suddenly not. Then you'll see all the people who recently bought gas guzzlers lamenting the unfairness of it all and trading in their land yachts for smaller cars -- all while taking a huge depreciation hit but hey, they're paying less at the pump so they think they're coming out ahead. A plug-in hybrid makes a lot of sense if it's someone's only car. If you have the luxury of having multiple cars, then a pure electric can be used purely as a commuter car.

subytrojan

Great post, Dan!

nedmundo

Excellent post, which confirms my recent realization that our next family car should be a plug-in hybrid like the Volt. We live in a city, and my typical week of driving often resembles this, so with a Volt we'd barely use any fuel. It would work extremely well.

mfennell

nagant said:

What was the mechanical wear and tear on an ICE that was not started once in 485 miles? Gas prices are indeed cheap making the break even point farther out but PHEVs are a far better deal than even two years ago.

Exactly. I leased an '11 Volt for 3 years. Total maintenance in that time: 1 oil change and several tire rotations.

I now have an e-golf and I love the simplicity of it but the Volt is a compelling choice that can be an only car.