Chevy Volt - Success Or Failure So Far?

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
8-1-2016

This morning, Chevrolet announced in a press release that its Chevy Volt has surpassed the 100,000 vehicle's sold mark. The upbeat press release sings the praises of the Volt, but are sales of 100K units since 2010 really reason for celebration? That depends on your viewpoint of green cars.

 

The Volt began sales in 2010. However, production had not been fully worked out until about 14 months later in early 2012. By then, Chevy was capable of producing about 2,000 Volts per month if it chose to do so. Volt sales peaked in August of 2013 at 3,350 units sold. It was the only month that the Volt broke 3,000 units. Sales have plateaued for the Volt. This despite being transitioned to sales not just in the 11 CAR-compliant states that mandate EV sales, but in all states as of March of this year. Adding the other 39 states did not boost sales to previous highs. Chevy has not broken 2,000 units since October of 2015 (July sales numbers were not available at the time of this writing). The Prius presently outsells the Volt by about 5 to 1.

EV advocates look at the Volt differently. First, there are the fanatical EVangelists who will decry that since it uses gasoline, the Volt is not even a green car. Others take a more pragmatic approach and will point to Chevy's argument that "Volt drivers have saved nearly 58 million gallons of fuel." That claim is based on a comparison to the average vehicle's 25 MPG fuel efficiency. Compare the Volt to the 50 MPG+ Prius or Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in and the results of the comparison are very different.

 

Chevy (Bob Lutz in particular) deserves congratulations for thinking outside the box. EVs that have some sort of on-board gasoline range extender now outsell battery-electric EVs and the market has a clear preference for plug-in hybrids when affordability is considered. With the new, all-electric, 200-mile 2017 Chevy Bolt scheduled to begin production in two months, it will be very interesting to see how the Volt and Bolt do when sold side-by-side.

[twoheeldrive]

I bought a new Volt for my wife in 2014. She loves it; it is her favorite car ever. Her daily commute is about 25 miles round trip so she doesn't use any gasoline unless she goes to the airport or takes a road trip to see the kids. Lifetime MPG is 85.

 

The best thing she likes about it? Hardly ever going to the gas station. The best thing I like about it? It is virtually maintenance free. Since we hardly ever run the engine, oil changes are only every other year. The brakes will last forever, since the motor does most of the braking (a first for her, because she is really hard on brakes). The car has 29,000 miles on it, 17,000 on the electric motor and 12,000 on the engine. It has been absolutely trouble free.

 

It is an amazing piece of technology.

 

The 2nd generation Volt came out last year and is even better than the one we have. The fact that it is selling so well (2406 sold in July) with low fuel prices is evidence that it is a great car.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Imagine how far along it would be if they hadn't given up after the EV1. Tesla would likely have never been a hit, or even had much interest.

[crafferty]

The biggest problem with electric cars is automakers won't take the plunge. They are too concerned about the bottom line which is what gives tesla such a great competitive advantage. There bottom line is electric for them. BMW looks to be next company that will really change the game. I almost bought a VOLT but for highway driving I didn't care for the slow acceleration. Ended up with a TDI passat, not a rocket ship by any means but has the ponies when I need it.

 

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[ekimsinnigcm]

As a Volt owner, this is hands down the best vehicle GM has ever built. Quality had to be a top priority for this car or else it would fail. Ours has 85k miles on it and 45k of those are all electric. We have driven a lot using gas only (40-42 MPG) on our trips across the US. We have been to the following places in our Volt, some on several occasions:

 

Leaving from Tampa FL:

 

-Key West

-Atlanta

-Virginia Beach

-Atlantic City

-New York City

-Toronto CANADA!

-Detroit

-Bowling Green (Corvette Factory and Museum)

-New Orleans

-MEXICO

-Phoenix

-San Francisco

-Bonneville

 

Seriously can not say enough great things about the Volt!