A Second Look at the Chevrolet Volt

For a young car the Chevrolet Volt has suffered a lifetime of public relations grief.  Hyped from its start as concept car in 2007 Volt was hailed as the next great automotive idea. As a niche car it could not have hoped to live up to 3 years of mounting anticipation. Leading up to Volt’s production launch it was hit with semantic arguments over whether it was a plug-in hybrid or a true electric and over defining mileage claims. After it hit the street in late 2010 it became embroiled in partisan political shoving match over the federal energy policy.  If that isn’t enough scrutiny  from a safety glitch revealed in crash test required a design revision. Through all the clutter it is nearly impossible to get an unbiased evaluation of the Volt.  Looking at the recent rise in fuel prices it may be time to take a second look at what Chevy Volt really brings to the table.  

Despite its sullied reputation it is a superb car. It’s just not a car for everyone. With its limited cargo and passenger capacity Volt is not an ideal vehicle for families. The driver and passengers it does hold enjoy a well designed interior with a host of amenities that make commuting as pleasant as possible. Volt is a unique proposition in an electric vehicle.  The extremely efficient drivetrain system delivers sound performance. Traditional pure electric vehicles have a limited range relative to gas-powered vehicles. The Volt battery can power all-electric commutes of about 35 miles without requiring recharging. Plug-in recharging from a standard 120-volt power outlet takes about ten hours. An upgraded 240-volt charging station available for in-home installation can refresh the battery in as little as four hours. While the national plug-in infrastructure is very limited, the number of public charging stations is growing in cities across the country.  Volt boasts a unique gas-powered generator that can do the recharging on the go. An extended range of up to 375 miles makes Volt virtually as practical as gas-powered cars. With more flexibility than all-electric vehicles Volt is a viable option for more buyers. The all-electric driving range gives it leg up over hybrids and hybrid plug-ins. Political squabbles aside Volt stands in a class by itself in terms of fuel economy. 

The actual results have quietly escaped the headlines. Owners have been reporting better than expected returns from their once criticized investments. Many have noted going weeks and months of usage without refilling the gas tank.  The flexibility of operation is what yields a broader appeal than other electrified offerings. Even with a hefty price tag results like that make Volt worth it for many people.  The starting $39,145 MSRP can be offset by a $7,500 federal tax credit. Additional tax incentives are available for owners in Utah, Colorado, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois.  After the net cost of $31,645 it is still priced north of a comparable gas-only sedan. If an owner can take advantage of the plug-in recharging feature they can easily payoff the price premium in a short time.