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Will the Chevy Volt Succeed?

1015 messages,  Last post on Dec 09, 2012 at 8:21 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Volt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Volt, Automotive News, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV

Messages Page 98 of 102

#965 of 1015 Don't hold your breath by gagrice

Apr 05, 2012 (4:45 pm)

Savings come slowly for hybrid, electric car owners
 
If you're thinking about buying a fuel-efficient hybrid, electric or otherwise eco-friendly vehicle as a way to save money over time, do your homework — or be prepared to wait.
 
Buyers who choose Nissan's all-electric Leaf ($28,421) over its approximate gas-powered equivalent, Nissan's Versa ($18,640), will likely wait nearly 9 years until they break even, according to a new report by The New York Times that examines the cost of fuel efficiency.
 
For drivers of the Chevrolet Volt ($31,767), the wait is even longer— 26.6 years.
 
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/savings-come-slowly-for-hybrid- .html

#966 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [gagrice] by igh

Apr 05, 2012 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Apr 05, 2012 4:45 pm)
> For drivers of the Chevrolet Volt ($31,767), the wait is even longer� 26.6 years.
 
This is what happens when you do generalizations. I looked at the table.
The Volt was compared in price to a Cruze Eco with stick that gets 33 mpg
combined.
 
The Cruze cost 19500 by the report. The annual fuel savings for Volt was $446 (I do not know how they got that number). But (31767 - 19500) / 446 = 27 years !!
 
Now lets look at my real scenario. The cost of a similar Cruze as a base Volt - 22400 (I cant drive a stick )
Cost of Volt in CA - 31767 - 1500 = 30267 (CA rebate 1500)
 
The Volt will be driven almost 90% city and within 40 mile range everyday for a total of 9000 miles per year.
 
In city the Cruze mpg is 26. So Gas cost - 9000/26 * 4.4 in CA = $1500
 
For Volt Gas - 900/37 * 4.6 = 112 + 8100/100 * 36 KWh * .12c/kwh = 350
Total - 500 approx.
 
So 1000 dollars savings per year. Another 100 per year in reduced maintenance. $1100.
 
Does not end there - Volt has 0% for 60 months now, Cruze only 2.9%.
So another 1.5K saved.
 
So payback (30267 - 1500 - 22400)/1100 = 5.8 years
 
So not that bad after all. Everybody has to do the math for himself.
 
However, saving money was not my primary goal, burning less fossil fuel was. Add to that ride quality, high tech features like free on-star, free electricity now from my solar panels and you can find a lot of good reasons of buying a Volt.

#967 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [igh] by larsb

Apr 08, 2012 (7:40 am)

Replying to: igh (Apr 05, 2012 8:11 pm)
Good Job on the math.
 
For some unknown reason, some people HATE the idea of people wanting and buying a vehicle that saves them fossil fuel costs, and will try to pick apart every advantage.
 
I just don't get it.....

#968 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [larsb] by dmathews3

Apr 08, 2012 (9:22 am)

Replying to: larsb (Apr 08, 2012 7:40 am)
They are also jealous because they can't afford to buy a nice car like the Volt. So they try to badmouth people who can't afford one.

#969 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [dmathews3] by jimparr

Apr 10, 2012 (10:51 am)

Replying to: dmathews3 (Apr 08, 2012 9:22 am)
I bought a Volt a month ago. I've been waiting to post. The car is fantastic! I've driven 1486 miles and only used 4.3 gal. of gas. Twice I have driven 46 miles on a single charge.
   The way I see it, by driving this car I am helping out everyone who does not own one. I'm helping to reduce their price of gas. Imagine if half of America drove one. What would the price of gas be then?

#970 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [jimparr] by dmathews3

Apr 10, 2012 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: jimparr (Apr 10, 2012 10:51 am)
Wow, that's equal to over 345mpg. That would have cost me $310 to go that distance compared to your $17+.

#971 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [jimparr] by gagrice

Apr 10, 2012 (3:58 pm)

Replying to: jimparr (Apr 10, 2012 10:51 am)
Are you charging yours with Solar Panels also? If not have you calculated the cost of electricity vs gas? Welcome to the Forum. Keep us posted.

#972 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [jimparr] by digliberry

Apr 10, 2012 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: jimparr (Apr 10, 2012 10:51 am)
So with those savings how long will it take you to recoup the extra costs vs buying a much cheaper highly fuel efficient car. That is where I am not quite sold. The Volt is so expensive in comparison to even the Leaf.

#973 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [digliberry] by gagrice

Apr 10, 2012 (9:43 pm)

Replying to: digliberry (Apr 10, 2012 5:14 pm)
I don't think realistically you will ever make up the difference. Those with blinders only see the savings in fossil fuel. Which has merit. What I think about is the $7500 of US tax dollars going to foreign countries. 70% of the Volt is made elsewhere mostly China. We do not have the resources or expertise to make a decent EV or Hybrid. I would expect the whole Volt to be made in China within the next couple years. The Leaf is made in Japan. So you may be able to save a few gallons of fossil fuel for what reason no one can give you an intelligent reason. But if you are interested in helping your fellow Americans, there are many vehicles with much higher USA content.

#974 of 1015 Re: Don't hold your breath [gagrice] by igh

Apr 11, 2012 (4:08 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Apr 10, 2012 9:43 pm)
You are very concerned about the Volt tax credit which total about 10 million so far going to other nations but you are not at all concerned about the 100 billion dollars that US spends every year to import crude oil from hostile countries and to prop up tyrannical regimes in the middle east. I do not understand this dichotomy.
 
The Leaf will be built in Tennessee from this fall and that will result in a 1-2K price reduction. Due to the unfavorable exchange rate Nissan is losing money by importing the Leaf from Japan.

Messages Page 98 of 102

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