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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 2 of 4

#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.

#11 of 33 Re: Chevy Volt [spinazzola] by busiris

Jun 03, 2012 (8:39 am)

Replying to: spinazzola (May 26, 2012 10:51 am)
Wow! 52 miles round-trip, all on battery without any assist from the on-board engine?
 
Isn't that almost double what GM says the car will do on battery?
 
My wife is looking at the possibility of a Volt in the next 12-18 months, and since the Chevy dealership is only about 1-2 miles out of he way, we plan to do a test drive from the dealership to her work, then home and back to the dealership, which is about 28 miles total round-trip.
 
If it will do that all on battery, Chevy probably will have a sale.

#12 of 33 Re: Chevy Volt [busiris] by sspinazzola

Jun 03, 2012 (10:53 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 03, 2012 8:39 am)
My previous post said 52 miles, just rechecked and its a 46 mile round trip. I make it about a third of the time, and the rest, the engine starts about 2 miles from home. And thats in the heat with the A/C on, and I drive fairly aggressively. I am a mechanical engineer, and did a lot of research. This car is an engineering marvel. Go to the Volt web site, and depending on what state you are in there are additional incentives. I live in MD and get a state tax credit of $2,000 on top of the $7,500 fed tax credit.

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