September 19, 2011 – New Canaan, CT
The Chevrolet Volt continues to attract loads of attention… but the task of educating consumers on exactly what the world’s first Extended Range Electric Vehicle is and how it works remains a challenge. Here are two new 30 second TV Commercials that Chevy will begin airing …. what do you think?
Chevy Volt – Gas Station Version 1
Chevy Volt – Gas Station Version 2
After speaking with many consumers at the recent Live Green Connecticut! Fair at Taylor Farm Park in Norwalk, CT, it became clear to us that there is a definite gap between consumer perception of the Chevy Volt and the reality of the cars capabilities. And after seeing these two TV commercials, we are not certain that the facts are any clearer. So allow us to provide a few points:
First off, the Chevy Volt is not for everyone. But, if you are a driver with a fairly consistent daily drive, say between 20 and 50 miles per day, then the Volt may be the perfect solution for you.
Electric: the Volt is ALWAYS driven via electric motors. However, unlike a pure Electric vehicle, the Volt achieves extended range driving via its onboard gas powered generator. When the battery is depleted, after about 35-45 miles, the generator automatically starts producing enough electricity to keep the Volt going until you get where you have to go.
Hybrid: you could say the Volt is a ‘hybrid’, meaning that it has 2 modes of propulsion. But unlike any other Hybrid model currently on the market, including the Toyota Prius, the Volt is first and foremost an Electric Vehicle. The Prius and all other Hybrids to date are first and foremost internal combustion engine vehicles that burn petroleum to move. In fact, to go about 40 miles, you would burn one gallon of gas in a Prius while you would burn ZERO gas in a Volt.
Operating Cost: at today’s prices, a gallon of gas costs about $4.25. A full recharge of the Volt, at current Connecticut electric rates, costs about $1.60. So to travel 40 miles in a Prius, you’ll spend about $4.25 for a gallon of gas and to drive the same 40 miles in a Volt, you’ll spend about $1.60 in electricity. Overall, the Chevy Volt can cost less than 6 cents per mile to operate!
Win-Win: with the Chevy Volt, you get to drive electric without the range restrictions of a pure electric vehicle. You can drive your Volt into New York City for dinner and a Broadway Show, then return home safe and sound. Likely somewhere on the retrun trip home, your Volt’s generator would start-up and produce the electricity to get you home. With a Nissan Leaf, a pure electric vehicle with an approximate 70 mile battery range, you’d find yourself stranded somewhere on the Cross County or Hutchinson River Parkway waiting for a tow when your battery ran out of juice.
So overall, who is the ideal candidate to drive a Volt? As we stated earlier, the ideal Volt driver is anyone who has a fairly predictable daily commute of between 20 and 50 miles. If you typically drive only a few miles per day or more than 100 miles per day, then the Volt may not be the best choice for you. No matter what, your Karl Sales Consultant will be happy to discuss your own unique driving requirements and help you determine if a Chevy Volt may be right for you.
Want to learn more? Check out a full list of Volt articles from our site!
