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I think the ethanol formula is intended for marine use, but I haven't researched it that heavily.
See the link...
http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx
I have a niece-in-law who works as a postal carrier. It's a rural route so the deliveries are driven, not walked, and personal cars are used with a mileage reimbursement v. driving the postal fleet. IMO the Volt or a traditional hybrid would be great for this kind of route. Especially with the regenerative braking as they're having to do brake jobs quite often on the sedan she currently drives.
One catch is the *** which indicates the calculations are based on driving 2/3 of the time purely on electric and 1/3 of the time on the gas engine. So if you drive a lot of long (>40 mile) trips, you're savings will be less, and if you drive a lot of short trips than your savings will be more. But then if you're driving mostly short trips, then the Leaf would be the better choice.
http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/01/electric-car-myths
MODEL
TYPE
COST
RANGE IN MILES
CO2 EMITTED (100 MILES)
COST OF FUEL FOR 60K MILES
Toyota Prius
Gas-electric hybrid
$22,800
600
51 lbs.
$3,600
Chevy Volt
Electric with gas backup engine
$32,780*
350**
**40 miles on electricity alone
51 lbs.
$2,370***
***Assumes a 62/38 electricity-to-gas fuel ratio
Nissan Leaf
Pure electric
$25,280*
100
37 lbs.
$1,615
But even after that raiding of the $ in the Treasury (which we're borrowing!), the Volt still comes out as the most expensive.
BTW - I'm glad to hear the nation's electrical grid is now working so well. I guess we'll never hear about how we need to turn-off AC's at certain times of the day, or that an area ever has a Brown-out. Everyone in CA, just ignore those announcements in the summer to reduce energy consumption; they don't know what they're talking about.
For anyone else thinking of an electric vehicle and that you're going to get a recharging station, you might want to just put your own generator in too. Then you can recharge when you want, and be fairly self-sufficient.
For sure that is a joke. SDG&E offer people a 5% discount to hook up a device they can shut off your AC unit when the going gets tough. We have an 83 year old friend that did that and is now sorry. They cut off her air on one of the few hot days this summer. She was miserable and does not notice any reduction in her bill.
If the Volt and others become popular, you know the utilities will up the rates. Night time will become the prime time when they have to use gas generators. There will not be any solar to charge with at night. I think wind is another scam in the making.
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No one can "force" you to sit home in a hot house.
The Volt will do little to help anything, except make GM look green.
So, no, it would not have cost more than her savings in gas to go to the Mall.
No one condones "taking advantage of people because they do not understand" something. Of course I'm not saying THAT is OK. By the same token, she's a grown woman, and needed to know what she signed up for.
The Volt will save a lot of gasoline in CA and in the USA. Even if that other analysis by MommaEarf was right, then a Volt is at least as clean as a Prius.
EcoNutsSchmecoNuts.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110318/CARREVIEWS/110319903
SENIOR WEST COAST EDITOR MARK VAUGHN: First off, I like the looks of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. It doesn’t look nearly as nice as the concept version, but what production car ever does? The exterior design is a little busy, in a General Motors way, with a line of blackout under the windows, strips of chrome around the greenhouse and different layers of design sort of slathered over each other. But the shape and the proportions look good. I see it as a slightly smaller, much-better-looking version of the 2004 Malibu Maxx five-door station wagon/hatchback thing. Not that anybody but rental-fleet sadists would remember that.
Inside, the Volt has a very futuristic-looking center console--almost too futuristic, if you ask me. The console really does look like a concept car, like those instrument panels they show off at the Consumer Electronics Show. It works: All of the buttons operate the functions they’re labeled for, but I wouldn’t have picked this particular finish for the console--it looks like a 14-year-old’s makeup case, especially when contrasted with the more utilitarian, GM-generic rest of the interior.
Seating is perfectly comfortable, though it only seats four, not five, because of the massive battery hump running down the middle. The rear hatch offers plenty of room for various cargo. I loaded up stuff from the hardware store easily and carried passengers both front and back without complaints. In fact, everybody liked it.
The four-cylinder engine’s exertions are quieter than in the development mule I drove at Dodger Stadium a couple years back, particularly when you hit a hill and floor it and the engine has to spin up to make enough juice. Mostly you have to listen carefully to hear it at all. I was happy to hear it. Having driven all of the early EVs of the 1990s, I can tell you that having a range extender makes a world of difference. You can run the Volt like a regular car without a second thought.
They did not mention if they had the Granola model.
Cash for Clunkers 2: The Return of Government Motors
Ready for another cash for clunkers program? It looks like General Motors is attempting to replace it's own consumer incentives with tax payer money. The car company, bailed out of bankruptcy in 2009 by the American tax payer, appears to be turning the government into an automatic rebate provider.
The Obama administration and their friends on Capitol Hill are floating around a proposal to change the $7500 tax credit for green vehicles. This change can be found not only in President Barack Obama's budget but also a bill proposed by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat.
Edmunds.com, a 45 year old trade magazine company that provides automotive information, posted a Department of Energy document listing the department's funding highlights. The proposed Obama Budget, changes the existing $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit “into a rebate that will be available to all consumers immediately at the point of sale.”
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
IMO such a change merely widens the market for the Volt. The effective price becomes $33.5K today v. $41K today - $7500 tomorrow. Easier to finance, easier to pay cash for if one were so inclined. Depending on your state it may mean less sales tax.
Of course, it also means the Volt will take an added $7500 depreciation hit on Day 1 of ownership. :surprise:
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
They pay NO TAXES anyway, so it's just a straight $7500 bonus for them for each Volt they buy.
GE pays NO TAXES
Something to think about as tax day nears: General Electric is so good at doing their taxes, the government pays them. In 2010, the company reported global profits of $14.2 billion, $5.1 billion of which came from the U.S. But using a combination of offshore accounts and aggressive lobbying for tax breaks, GE managed to not only pay no taxes, but get a benefit of $3.2 billion. GE spent $200 million on lobbying in the last decade. At one point, when a generous tax break was about to expire, the head of GE's tax team met with Representative Charles Rangel, then chairman of the ways and means committee, and begged for an extension on one knee. Supposedly it was a joke, but GE got its extension, and Rangel got a $30 million gift for New York City schools. GE is an extreme example of a historical trend: The corporate share of the nation's tax receipts went from 30 percent in the 1950s to 6.6 percent in 2009.
sebring95 - If a household has a $70K gross income it's doubtful that they are in the market for a car in the Volt's price range. Not out of the question, but unlikely unless they have a very large down payment.
Ultimately, how much federal tax you pay doesn't matter. Being a tax credit and not a deduction, it reduces your tax owed by $7500. It can swing you from owing to getting a refund. Example: After figuring taxes you determine that you owe the feds $2000 but you bought a Volt and get the $7500 tax credit. Instead of owing $2000 you get a $5500 refund. I did this with qualifying home improvements last year. I swung an "owe" to a "refund" by virtue of the amount of the credit.
for a married couple to have a $7500 tax liability they have to have taxable income over $55,500. That would be a gross income of almost $75K if not itemizing and no kids. If they itemize and have kids it could be as high as $100K or more.
A single taxpayer would have to have a taxable income of $45,275 or a gross income of 454,625 if not itemizing.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The situation is potentially more positive for the married household, but not necessarily so. The possible $75K-100K gross income has to cover other expenses, for instance a second car payment or other travel expense like a bus or subway pass. If they're homeowners like me they're spending several thousand a year on maintenance, repairs, and/or upgrades to their house on top of property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Check out IRS Form 8936 where you take the credit and line 11 pulls over the total tax from line 60 of the 1040. That's the max credit you can take.
There are very few refundable credits.
The other bugaboo with the Volt are the prices offered being substantially more than the projected $41k. In San Diego there are 6 listed in the inventory of Edmunds with a starting price for a base model of $43,700 going to $44,695. That is getting up where you can buy a real nice car. :shades:
The Volt sedan looks good, but I wonder how it would look without the top. It would be interesting to see.
General Motors sold 608 Volts in March
General Motors sold 608 Volts in March, a small amount relative to larger brands, but more than double February’s tally. GM sold more Volts in March than it did in January and February combined.
For 2011, GM has sold 1,210 Volts. That figure is chump change relative to the 50,000 Chevy Cruze’s sold to date, but the momentum appears to be picking up. Here’s GM’s sales statement and PDF of March deliveries.
As noted before, GM is gradually launching Volt sales nationwide so there’s no need to panic about low sales figures yet. There may not be an accurate gauge of Volt sales until 2012.
Nevertheless, GM has to work through pricing issues for the Volt—a point that may be less of an issue as gas approaches $4 a gallon. As gas prices rise, electric vehicles look more compelling.
For now, the Volt looks like it’s the domain of early adopters. Persistent high gas prices may boost the Volt’s popularity over time.
Bottom line: Volt sales are headed in the right direction and the death watch can be called off for now.
I would not count on that. It looks like the same 7 are in stock at our local dealerships as they were a week ago. I think people will wait to see if Congress makes the $7500 an outright gift as proposed. I get hit with AMT too much to take a chance on Tax Credits.
Affordable, and safe, and you can change your lease to a different car if you don't like the Volt.
Secondly, leases are GREAT for trying out new technology. You might not want to own a Volt for 10 years and deal with battery issues, but 36 months? That's nothing.
The financial benefit of a lease? Lower payments than ownership.
If you're like me, and have had car payments EVERY MONTH SINCE 1991, then leasing a car is just a "cheaper" car payment.
I guess I am not, I have not had a car payment for at least 15 years. I have better things to spend money on than give it to the bankers. With a lease you just don't see how much the bank is getting as easily as with a loan payment. You are still throwing money down the bankers toilet.
Facts of life and all.
Only because you haven't compared the right circumstances. There are times when manufacturers are offering better leasing incentives than purchasing incentives and it is, in fact, the cheaper option of the two. Is it common? No. But it does happen.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
“We’ve gone to significant efforts to make sure our dealers are trained, our technicians are trained and even our sales people are trained,” (Volt spokesman Rob) Peterson said. “We want to make sure we set the right expectation for all the new owners.”
Wait, what?
We’re doing all of this training to “set the right expectation for all the new owners?”
Most car purchasers have the expectation that their next car will run like every other car in which they’ve ever been.
Is this not the case with the Volt? What is the right (lowered?) expectation that 22,000 employees must be trained to set?
American consumers don’t want managed expectations – they want manageable car payments. The Chevy Volt – without any cash back from We the Taxpayers – costs a painful $41,000.
Which, by the way, is almost exactly what it costs GM to make it. Meaning it is a non-profit endeavor.
The Chevy Volt is not a business model – it is Government Motors engaging in ideological automotive farce.
In February, David Champion – senior director of Consumer Reports auto testing center – told reporters:
“When you’re looking at dollars and cents, it really doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Volt isn’t particularly efficient as an electric vehicle and it’s not particularly good as a gas vehicle either in terms of fuel economy.
“This is going to be a tough sell to the average consumer.”
Government Motors Volt big flop
I will re-word my statement. I have never seen a lease offer that penciled out better than paying cash for a car. At least not in the last 20 years. I did lease a new Datsun PU in 1976 to get that smaller payment. Did not save any money. It was ok in the end as it was a real dud of a truck.
That is where you are entirely wrong. The battery cells come from Korea. Those are the most expensive parts in the Volt. The Electric motors and controllers are from China. They are assembled here as a ruse to fool the American public. My Sequoia was 85% US content built in Princeton IN. Way more content than most Government Motors vehicles. My previous 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999 & 2005 GM trucks were mostly from Canada and Mexico.
Do some research, the Camry and Accord top all Domestics on US content. GM just shut down a factory due to parts from Japan being in short supply.
Only one GM vehicle makes the top 10 US made vehicles.
Rank
Make/Model
U.S. Assembly Location(s)*
Rank in July 2009
1. Toyota Camry
Georgetown, Ky.; Lafayette, Ind.
2. Honda Accord
Marysville, Ohio; Lincoln, Ala.
-
3. Ford Escape
Kansas City, Kan.
-
4. Ford Focus
Wayne, Mich.
5. Chevrolet Malibu
Kansas City, Kan.
6. Honda Odyssey
Lincoln, Ala.
7. Dodge Ram 1500
Warren, Mich.
-
8. Toyota Tundra
San Antonio
9. Jeep Wrangler
Toledo, Ohio
-
10. Toyota Sienna
Princeton, Ind.
EVERYONE has a bias one way or another. That is human nature. It must be that the writer did not share your bias.
Your source came from an op ed piece at biggovernment.com.
There's not much more bias that can be involved.
That's the same as me posting an op ed from treehugger.com.
See his point now?
Political Conservatives, who obviously HATE anything GREEN, are of COURSE going to hammer on the Volt.
That's not an objective opinion.