No car I’ve driven sparked more questions from readers and co-workers than the first-generation Chevy Volt when I spent a week with it last year. So, I knew I’d be in for another round of questions when I tested the 2013 Chevy Volt.
Little is changed from the previous model year, with one exception. There is an bigger electrical battery in the plug-in hybrid vehicle, which adds a few more miles of gas-free driving.
And you can’t review the Volt without discussing the electric battery operation, and wait to field questions about it.
How many miles can you drive on the battery? How long does it take to charge? How does the recharging work? What’s the cost to recharge? These are the most common questions, and they are all fair and reasonable questions. So, let me answer each one.
With the slightly bigger battery (not bigger in weight but in charge), the 2013 Volt can now travel between 35 and 40 miles on its battery, which means it runs without gasoline that entire duration. To recharge the battery to full capacity will take up to 10 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet or as little as four hours on a 240-volt unit.
And recharging the battery is a piece of cake. Stored under a flap in the trunk is a 12-foot cord, which can plug directly into an outlet or into an extension cord.
Simply plug it in, wait for the green light to come on the dashboard, and a little beep of the horn will tell you the connection is good and charging is under way. As for how much it costs to recharge the battery, well that depends on a lot of math and that is not a strong point of mine, so I’ll keep the math simple.
If you assume you pay .127 per kilowatt hour for electricity and it takes roughly 16 kwh to fully charge, it therefore costs about $2 per charge, which is good for around 35 miles of gas-free driving.
But the Volt is more than just an extended-range electric car, so there’s more to talk about.
Stylistically, the Volt is handsome, with a distinguished design. The closed grille design is sharp, and simple, with the Chevy bow tie the main focus. The windows are framed with a black outline and the Volt symbol next to the driver’s side window, just above the electric plug. The back end has a
futuristic sleekness to it. In short, the Volt is a great-looking car, without the quirkiness found in other hybrids.
Inside, this four-seat car is comfortable for front-seat passengers, and adequate for rear-seat passengers. Touchpoints and interior design are good quality, and there is a 7-inch touchscreen that integrates with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system.
Due to its stature, legroom is minimal in the back, and rear storage is 10.6 cubic feet with seat backs upright. But, you aren’t purchasing the Volt for its storage capabilities.
My tester came with leather seating, heated front seats, and a Bose premium sound system (for an extra $2,785).
Pricepoint for the Volt is on the high side for a non-luxury small car. Standard MSRP of the Volt is $39,145. There is a government tax credit available for first-time buyers of the Volt. Any dealer can explain the details of how that works.
Fuel economy for the Volt is difficult to calculate, especially for those of us who are math-
challenged. But, what should be noted is that once the Volt loses its charge, it seemlessly shifts to its gasoline engine, which is rated at 37 MPG.
In a week’s worth of driving — in which I was only able to charge at home (not at work) — I averaged about 56 MPG, with the electric charge factored in. Had I been able to charge at work, I would have increased that number significantly.
That’s the final note about the Volt. The technology in it is fantastic. It shows that American ingenuity is working as carmakers strive for better fuel economy.
But it also highlights how far behind in the infrastructure we are. There are very few charging stations available in this area, while they are more prominent in other parts of the country. As they said in Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Follow him on Twitter @wheelseditor