The first 40 miles are free (the Obama stimulus program pays for the initial mileage).
“But that mpg figure would not take into account that the car has already gone 40 miles with no gas at all.
So let's say the car is driven 50 miles in a day. For the first 40 miles, no gas is used and during the last 10 miles, 0.2 gallons are used. That's the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon. But, if the driver continues on to 80 miles, total fuel economy would drop to about 100 mpg. And if the driver goes 300 miles, the fuel economy would be a just 62.5 mpg.”
So let’s say the car is driven 50 miles in a day. For the first 40 miles, no gas is used and during the last 10 miles, 0.2 gallons are used. That’s the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon. But, if the driver continues on to 80 miles, total fuel economy would drop to about 100 mpg. And if the driver goes 300 miles, the fuel economy would be a just 62.5 mpg.”
-
Good synopsis.
One more point. That calculation presumes the car begins fully charged.
If you have to refill the gas during a trip longer than the stated range (two) things happen.
First off, you lose the initial “charged” range of the car - so if you went 250 miles before refilling the tank, after that first fillup you can only go 200 miles between fill-ups.
And your mileage for those additional miles will not calculate to be anything near 62.5.
Probably more like 25.
It’s a long overdue concept, but let’s be very clear about what it really can (and cannot) do.
Right now it’s wildly overpriced - The Japanese companies are already announcing competitors, Korean companies will certainly be right behind - and it wouldn’t surprize this poster if both Indian and Chinese companies come out with a $10K version which drives the Volt out of production before the Volt cost even (begins) to drop.
It’s WAY too expensive. And frankly nobody wants to buy anything from a government company. If Ford was doing this - it would be done right, and it would be hugely successful.
The Volt is going to be a monumental failure.
Its competitors however, will change the way we drive.