Re: Chevy Volt
I believe will be the plug in hybrid, extended range electric car will be the answer to the car of the future. The EREV will use batteries as an electric car, but has unlimited range because of the gas engine, which will power a generator for the electric motor. You will get about 50 MPG when the gas engine is running, but will cost about $1 a night to charge it for your first 40 miles on electricity.
Many people are critical of the Chevy Volt’s 40 mile range on batteries, but I’m actually waiting for the cheaper, 20 mile range Volt. Here is my logic:
I like the idea of having options for the battery pack range for the Volt, especially if you can add a battery pack module to the 20 mile battery pack, if your needs change. The 20 mile pack is the best option for me. Look at the math for a Volt driven 10,000 miles per year:
24 miles R/T to work
For work
Daily, 20 miles in electric, and last 4 miles in hybrid.
Annually, 5,000 miles electric and 1,000 hybrid @ 50 mpg
Annual gas to work, 1,000/50= 20 gal/yr. At $4/gal that’s only $80 per year to get to work.
Work will be 6,000 miles and I assume 4,000 miles on the week ends/vacation or about 52 x 2, or 104 days per year. The first 20 miles will be electric so, 102x 20 =2,040 miles electric and 1,960 on gas @ 50 mpg.
1,960/50= 40 gal/yr or about $160 per year for weekend gas.
Total annual gas cost for 60 gallons would be $240 for this case with the 20 mile Volt.
(Our existing car needs about 600 gallons per year.)
The 40 mile Volt could go the year in all electric mode in this example. (This would be cool!)
Lets, assume the battery packs cost $5,000 per 20 miles of range.
Is it worth it to add $5,000 more for the 40 mile range Volt, to save $240 per year? Not for me.
I think I would pick the 20 mile electric range Volt, because I’ve reduced my gas needs by 90% and I may be able to add a better, cheaper battery in the future.
The Crossfire will still be my fun car.