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Chevrolet Volt. Day two.

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Still not charged up, and still a blast to drive.
A few online forums listed The ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood as having a couple of charging stations in the parking lot.
Unfortunately, I found out they have been taken out about a year ago…
So no charging today.


The Volt drives great no matter what. The car being powered by the electric motor, you always have that gliding feel even with empty batteries.
When the engine comes on, it sounds more like a generator. (Which is basically what it is)
So there is no transition feel or shutter like on Hybrid cars. You only hear a distant hum, and feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel.
Again, like if a compressor went on.


My average gas mileage is now at a bit under 40MPG. For about 80 miles of driving mostly in the city.
With only about 12 miles done with the batteries.
Which, I think, is really good.

I hear LACMA has a charging station.
So maybe tomorrow will be a museum day….

Conversation 12 comments

  1. I think you may the only person I've read who has reviewed the Volt without charging it!

    It is certainly nice to know it holds up.. people in trips and so on will experience what you are experiencing.

    But, I have to say, the charge less Volt coming back to back with recommending the Beetle with the NA 5 over the turbo is certainly outside the box thinking.

  4. Under 40 mpg in the city is not good for a small hybrid, especially since the mpg seems to be going down the more you drive it. I know a couple of people that drive a Prius and they said they can not feel it when the engine turns on….one of them drives it mostly in the city and averages in the high 40's-low 50's, and he paid a lot less for his Prius than the Volt costs. Not sure where the value with the Volt is…

  5. Vince, you articulated why electric cars can not become mainstream. By the way, I do not get the "it is a blast to drive." compared to what? …Prius?

  9. "I know a couple of people that drive a Prius… and averages in the high 40's-low 50's, and he paid a lot less for his Prius than the Volt costs. Not sure where the value with the Volt is…"

    There is no value in any Hybrid or Electric. Not when a Fiesta gets 40MPG and starts at $13,500. (even the $15,500 Ford Focus gets 40 MPG!) And neither will require a $6000 battery in 6 years!

  10. """Vince, you articulated why electric cars can not become mainstream. By the way, I do not get the "it is a blast to drive." compared to what? …Prius?"""

    Someone hasn't driven one. I have. Flooring it pulls some major linear Gs, I was impressed with the power.

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