Volt

[lacrew_2000]

In another thread here, it was suggested that the Chevy Volt would be a 'hot' item later this year.

When I stopped laughing and pulled myself off the floor, I had an epiphany. Some people may not intuitively know how bad an idea the Volt is. So, I ran some numbers:

1. Base model MSRP is $40,280...we're talking hand crank windows, cloth seats, plastic hub caps...but its still a car.

2. Magic subsidy is $7,500...so for a base model, its $32,780.

3. Lets find a comparison compact car. We should go the Fiesta route...but we'll upgrade a little to the Ford Focus. Its highest MSRP is $22,765...that's aluminum wheels, entertainment system, sport suspension...the works (the base model is $16,270 btw).

4. So the cost differential is $10,015...thats how much more you get to pay to buy the Volt.

5. But there's all the fuel cost savings right? The Focus gets 37 mpg on the hwy, but only 27 in the city. We'll go with the worst number. The EPA has tested and determined that the Volt will have a range of 35 miles (using 10.4 kwh)...they also have determined it will drop to 25 miles in the winter, but we'll assume the top end number of 35 miles.

6. Let's also assume some crazy high gas price, like $5 a gallon. Using the low end 27 mpg, the Focus costs 18.5 cents a mile. At 12 cents per KWH (a low number btw), the Volt costs 3.6 cents a mile. Thats a savings of 14.9 cents a mile. So, we can make up our extra $10,015 after $67,215 miles. Pretty good right?

7. But wait, in order to get the $10 k in fuel savings, you have to drive all 67k miles on battery. Since you only get one 35 mile charge a day, it would take you 1,920 days to log 67k battery miles....or a little over 5 years.

So...assuming radically high gasoline prices, low midwestern electricity prices, full federal subsidy, using the base Volt model, absolute worst mileage for the top end Focus, and warm weather...the Volt will cost out after 5 years.....assuming you somehow got a free version of the charging station (installed cost is $1,900).

So, I'd like to know...will the Volt be a 'hot' car? Who is considering buying one? January sales were a whopping 321 cars...and 281 in February (on a bad day, Focus sales top 500 units). Would an increase in the price of gas to $5 make you think about getting one?

[john_galt]

Must be an engineer...

I do think that production cost, recycle cost, and battery disposal fee should be included in any comparison. After all we're not just talking about the price to the consumer but the cost to the earth.

[VinnAY]

Wait...its not better for the planet in the end? LOL say it aint so...

[Longermonger]

Lacrew, where did you copy&paste this garbage from? What is '$67,215 miles'?

Go ahead and explain how the Volt hybrid works. This should be entertaining.

[CuteOldGuy]

I think LA did a pretty good job of explaining, but then I did pass high school math. The Volt is actually a car designed by the government. so it underperforms and is overpriced. The Focus was produced by a company that did not need government investment, and is priced fairly, and performs as advertised.

Hmmm . . . we might be on to something here.

Longer, explain how the Volt is better. Now THAT'S entertainment!

[6ULDV8]

Don't forget the resell value. The batteries projected life is 100,000 miles before they have to be replaced (could be less no real data yet) at a cost of $8,000 dollars. Who knows what other unique components will need replacing.

[lacrew_2000]

"Lacrew, where did you copy&paste this garbage from? What is '$67,215 miles'?

Go ahead and explain how the Volt hybrid works. This should be entertaining."

Aha! I have been discredited by a typo!!! Damnit!!

Sorry, no copy, no paste...just my own investigation using GM's sales site for the Volt.

How does it work? You pay alot for very little.

What do you mean explain how it works...its fairly obvious.

Back to the original question....will the Volt be a HOT car later this year, as confidently predicted?

[vitokc]

The cost to the consumer makes this a bad investment financially. There are many larger cars now getting 30+ miles to the gallon. Why ride a cramped car with limited features to save the earth when you can be comfortable and fuel efficient in a car you really want? Gas and diesel powered vehicles run cleaner than ever with emission laws in place. Don't forget, you still need to plug in the Volt using electricity provided by the coal burning power plants. The rail cars filled with coal won't go away in our lifetime. I doubt Barry will give up his limo for a Volt.

[deacon]

I think LA did a pretty good job of explaining, but then I did pass high school math. The Volt is actually a car designed by the government. so it underperforms and is overpriced. The Focus was produced by a company that did not need government investment, and is priced fairly, and performs as advertised.

Hmmm . . . we might be on to something here.

Longer, explain how the Volt is better. Now THAT'S entertainment! .............................. .......lmao..il be waiting as well monger..do tell.

[Gryphon]

To answer the original question: The Volt will be a "hot" item for those individuals for whom eco-fashion is more important than economics. Such individuals tend to be concentrated in California, Oregon, Washington, and New England.

[lacrew_2000]

I hate to disagree with people, while they are agreeing with me....but Ford did benefit from the bailout.

Ford Credit got a TARP loan, which has been repaid with interest.

This is much different than the loans to Chrysler and GM...resulting in an ownership stake in GM...and well, the Volt.

Consumers Reports says:

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/...r-reports.html

In a related story, the City of Chicago (they're swimming in money I hear) has contracted for 280 charging stations....for $1.9 million!!!

[catnipdipper]

We are always like this in our buying habits.

If I recall correctly there was once a dealer premium on the PT Cruiser? We do stuff just like a school of sardines being chased by a hungry shark.

Same deal on electronics in general. They are obsolete so fast it pays not to buy them but we always do.

My wristwatch has better technology than the Lunar Lander.

It is just a START and you can't make improvements without an original.

Nissan is the most advanced here in my opinion

Personally I love 400hp.

[lacrew_2000]

Sure its a start (if you believe our future is with electric cars)...but will the Volt be a 'hot item' as suggested earlier?

Is it time to go out and buy a few?

I see the Volt failing miserably. There are too many realistic alternatives out there - right now....and too many promising technologies that have nothing to do with plugging a car into the wall.

[catnipdipper]

At the birth and development of the Automobile there was Steam, Air cooled, Electric, Model T's that woud run on Kerosene and a variety of power options some quite advanced.

I believe we are in that type of development again. Efficient Diesel, Electric, Battery, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, flex fuel, solar.

It has to occur this way to let the market and the best technology win out. We need a plethora of options at this stage.

I buy the used 400hp and enjoy it while I can.

[lacrew_2000]

"It has to occur this way to let the market and the best technology win out."

I will humbly submit that the $7,500 tax credit, coupled with the $750 million development cost (in a company in which the taxpayer has had a 61% stake in), coupled with the $45 Billion tax break that GM got....is the exact opposite of letting the market decide on the best technology.

Thats my whole problem with the Volt.

And I actually yelped with laughter when somebody here stated that it would be a 'Hot Item' later this year.

Only an extension cord differentiates it from the Trabant.