Ask the Car People.SM


Chevy Volt

33 messages,  Last post on Nov 14, 2012 at 1:53 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Volt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Volt, Electric Cars, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 33 Chevy Volt by spinazzola

May 26, 2012 (10:51 am)

I just purchased a 2012 Volt. I am 54, have owned 15 cars, and this is the best bar none. Got the car for invoice, 0% financing, $7,500 Fed tax credit, $2,000 state tax credit. My round trip to work is 52 miles, and I make it every time on battery. The car drives like a dream.
 
I feel like every time I drive it, I'm flipping the bird to big oil.

#2 of 33 Charging question by hihostevo

Jun 01, 2012 (2:53 pm)

I am considering the currently offered lease on the Volt for one of my daughters...
 
Does anyone have any information on the best place to purchase the portable 240v charger for the Volt?
 
Thank you

#3 of 33 Re: Charging question [hihostevo] by sspinazzola

Jun 01, 2012 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: hihostevo (Jun 01, 2012 2:53 pm)
You need to buy the 240 volt charging cord from Chevy. Then you need to hire an electrician to run a 240 volt line to your garage, it's the same type of connector as an ecectric dryer. Most important, you need breaker space n your panelboard.

#4 of 33 Re: Charging question [hihostevo] by gagrice

Jun 01, 2012 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: hihostevo (Jun 01, 2012 2:53 pm)
In San Diego people are getting a permanent charging station with separate meter. The cost is a lot less for charging at night that way. Here are the charging options for the Volt. Or you can just charge with 110 volt from a standard outlet.
 
https://homecharging.spx.com/volt/Display.aspx?id=6&menu=2

#5 of 33 Re: Charging question [gagrice] by igh

Jun 02, 2012 (4:17 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 01, 2012 3:14 pm)
I just use the 110V charger for 10 hr overnight charging (9pm to 7am). I even installed one more for the Focus Electric that I am getting. For the FFE it will take 20hrs for the full charge but I will mostly drive 25 miles everyday and as long as overnight charge gives me 40 miles I am good to go. You can get one from shopchevyparts.com for $380 shipped. This is currently the cheapest home charging option. Each 110V charger should be on a separate breaker with minimum 15A rating.

#6 of 33 Re: Charging question [igh] by gagrice

Jun 02, 2012 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: igh (Jun 02, 2012 4:17 pm)
The problem with that is getting your EV electric rate in some places. SDG&E offers a very low overnight charging rate from midnite to 5 AM, for EVs. You have to have a separate meter installed and tied into a charging device. So it would need to be a 220 volt charger to fully charge in 5 hours or less.

#7 of 33 Re: Charging question [gagrice] by igh

Jun 02, 2012 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 02, 2012 7:40 pm)
That is true. In my case I have Solar. So it is all free now. I do not worry about electric rates and times at home anymore. This year since I was late in buying the EVs, and the solar was already sized to support them, I have a massive surplus. PG&E should give me 100s back in October.

#8 of 33 Re: Charging question [igh] by gagrice

Jun 02, 2012 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: igh (Jun 02, 2012 7:58 pm)
We are not so lucky with SDG&E. We lose whatever extra is stored each year. So building a solar system to just fill your need is the key to success. Do you think you will like the Focus EV as well as the Leaf. I talked to a very happy camper with a Leaf. Not to mention the $7500 federal and $5000 state. Very tempting. I read the Focus used up too much trunk for batteries. The Leaf is quite roomy. Though I don't really need a commuter type car being retired. Good luck, it sounds like you are set to beat the oil companies out of any of your cash.

#9 of 33 Re: Charging question [gagrice] by igh

Jun 03, 2012 (1:08 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 02, 2012 9:59 pm)
Actually what you said was true till 2010. After that under state law they have to pay for excess power generated. However, they will pay wholesale rates which is usually 4-5c/Kwh and much lower than what they charge their customers.
 
http://sdge.com/clean-energy/excess-generation-credit/annual-compensation-excess- -generation-payment-faq
 
Actually I was considering the Leaf until the FFE came to the market. The Leaf is now 4K cheaper (market price) and is a better deal, however I am repulsed by the styling of the Leaf - Ugh those headlights are hideous.
  . The FFE looks great.
 
The FFE is in real short supply - Ford still does not seem as serious as Nissan in selling EVs. I may yet get the Leaf if I cannot get the FFE - who knows. The trunk is not an issue as this will be a commuting car. I will keep my Highlander Hybrid for the 1 or 2 vacations/long drives each year. Those 100 odd gallons will be all the business that the gas companies can get from me

#10 of 33 Re: Charging question [igh] by gagrice

Jun 03, 2012 (6:43 am)

Replying to: igh (Jun 03, 2012 1:08 am)
I guess 4 cents is better than a poke in the eye.
 
I agree the Nissan Leaf is butt ugly. The FFE is much better looking and hopefully most of the tax credit stays in the USA. So how many $7500 tax credits can you get? Say if I wanted to start a local taxi service.

Messages Page 1 of 4

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement