Congrats and thanks in advance for the real world data and impressions, good and bad. I really look forward to reading about it.
my Leaf does the same thing but its not accurate. i have a Kill a watt to monitor exactly how much electricity i am using. do you have anything to track how much power you are using? post labels so we can know what we are looking at no car works for everyone. whether you get a Volt, A Leaf or a Prius, they are all better than the status quo. u just need to figure out which one works the best.
I would be interested to hear what the EV range is when juiced up to recommended level, then do freeway at 65 or 70 'til range runs out, like on a trip. Just curious because I'm hearing it's the 65+ mph that's tough on EV's (you know, wind drag a square of speed). Just curious if you get a chance. I mostly get where GM is coming from saying Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range. If it can stay out of the ICE completely in all scenarios with range left, then ok, seems like an EREV. But, to really know how good these things are, I'd need to drive the Volt, PHV and Leaf a hundred miles each (and a Roadster too of course)
In reality, it doesn't. ICE is used to warm up the battery. It can also be used to drive the wheels. Therefore, the ICE is actually used as a second powertrain, not a generator to recharge the battery to extend the range. Volt behaves like an EREV with good weather.
The info many of us would like to know is how it will appeal to the mainstream. The enthusiasts go on and on about the feel of the ride, using it as justification for the very high price. Hearing "it's worth it" doesn't mean much to the mainstream, who has very different priorities. Over the past decade, we've watched Prius evolve into a car that balances wants & needs of middle-market so well it has become the clear choice for them. The next step of plug augmentation is a natural one, easily embraced by many since their is no paradigm shift. Heck, you don't even need anything beyond a standard 110-volt socket to plug into. It's a simple & affordable way to boost efficiency. As an owner, what observations can you point out that would appeal to the consumer who normally spends less than $30,000 for a new vehicle? .
If you are getting at what I think you are getting at, when I did a test drive of the Volt in Austin last summer, the lack of leg room in the back was one of the things that stood out. On the same note, the floor pan well was poorly designed IMO as maneuvering your legs in while sitting down was kind of an odd affair. Although it may not be that big of a deal for shorter people or children, as a grown adult I could see it getting annoying after a while. Hopefully they will improve this aspect as the builds escalate. All the same, it's cool that the kid has the opportunity to be one of the first. Congrats to him and his partner.
