41,000 dollars to be able to drive 40 miles......

D

dragonzim

Active Member
40 miles on battery, then a gas motor kicks in to recharge the battery. Another article I saw on it says that it will have a range of about 300 miles on just a few gallons of gas.
Not that I would get one anyway...
 
bionicarm

bionicarm

Active Member
I read somewhere that it's supposed to get an average MPG of 230. Even still, for $41,000, it would take 5 - 10 years to get a return on your investment as opposed to just buying a fuel-efficient gasoline car. And how often do you have to change out those Lithium Ion batteries (at probably $1000 - $3000 a pop).
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3292133
40 miles on battery, then a gas motor kicks in to recharge the battery. Another article I saw on it says that it will have a range of about 300 miles on just a few gallons of gas.
Not that I would get one anyway...
Correct. The Volt drives 40 miles on solely battery power, (that came from being plugged into the wall). After that roughly 40 miles is up, the gasoline generator will come on, and power the electric motor for an additional 340 miles. Basically identical to a diesel-electric locomotive. The compromise is that because of the gasoline generator, they can't fit as many batteries onto the car, as say that Nissan Leaf. But the issue with the Nissan Leaf, is that it has a range of 100 miles, solely on battery power, no generator. I am going to assume that's a maximum of 100 miles, so if like you're stuck in stop and go traffic, your range is going to be massively less. And once that you're batteries are dead, its time to call a tow truck.
As for who would buy one, the same (well the same type of people) that paid $500 to be the first ones with a new iPhone, etc.
Not that I will ever drive something similar...
 
mantisman51

mantisman51

Active Member
What happened to the $20k-$25k price they claimed it would sell for in 2008? I know there's some inflation factored in here, but almost double the price? I wouldn't buy any of those hybrid things, but I'd sooner buy the Volt than any of the hybrid ricers.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
4 cylinder Ford escape pulls down over 30 on the highway and costs half as much as a Hybrid or Electric car.
You also need to figure in environmental effects on the charge life of the batteries on Hybrids and electric cars. Batteries don't hold a charge as well in cold weather.
I just don't see the point in buying either hybrid or electric cars yet unless you live in a metro area with a mild climate.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/3292313
4 cylinder Ford escape pulls down over 30 on the highway and costs half as much as a Hybrid or Electric car.
You also need to figure in environmental effects on the charge life of the batteries on Hybrids and electric cars. Batteries don't hold a charge as well in cold weather.
I just don't see the point in buying either hybrid or electric cars yet unless you live in a metro area with a mild climate.
lol I wonder how long it lasts with the AC going full blast?
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by mantisman51
http:///forum/post/3292259
What happened to the $20k-$25k price they claimed it would sell for in 2008? I know there's some inflation factored in here, but almost double the price?
The costs of the batteries/electronics haven't been driven down by the Chinese as much as expected. At least with the Volt for $41k you're getting an actual car, with more room, nicer features, and a pretty cool ******** with the digitial dash. The $32k for that Nissan Leaf, you're quite literally getting a no-frills shoebox on wheels.
I would also expect that the prices are a little higher, with both manufactures knowing there will be $7,500 rebate from the gov't.
 
fishtaco

fishtaco

Active Member
They are doing some kind of market test with the Leaf that includes charging stations in a few towns around here. I can't remember what the cost is going to be exactly, but it was a stupid amount of money for the program.
Fishtaco
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/3292313
4 cylinder Ford escape pulls down over 30 on the highway and costs half as much as a Hybrid or Electric car.
You also need to figure in environmental effects on the charge life of the batteries on Hybrids and electric cars. Batteries don't hold a charge as well in cold weather.
I just don't see the point in buying either hybrid or electric cars yet unless you live in a metro area with a mild climate.
The batteries are lithium-ion, a little different tech then the lead-acid batteries most cars have to start up. The batteries will be well protected, and the Volt has battery tenders with warmers to keep them up to temp. The Volt has undergone some pretty serious warm and cold weather testing.
GM will offer an 8-year, 100,000mi warranty on the battery.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
I'll stick with my F250 for now. I don't see any of these being able to haul an RV or Boy Scout trailer. Heck, they don't even look like they could handle a fat person.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
I wouldn't but one as they stand right now, but I am glad that we are looking at alternative power to run things. Hopefully in the future they will have less disadvantegous and will be priced so they are obtainable by the masses that is needed to really make an environmental impact. Right now the advantage for me would be use of the diamond lane... the hybrids that have that "bonus" right now are being booted out soon.
I have an outlet at my house.... I wonder how much it costs to charge that thing.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/3292354
Heck, they don't even look like they could handle a fat person.
Well, it will probably be illegal to be fat soon.
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3292375
... the hybrids that have that "bonus" right now are being booted out soon.
One can only hope, it is that retarded and unjust. First, HOV's shouldn't be used as a 'rewards' system. Secondly, and more importantly, cruising along the highway are not what hybrids are about. If you notice, all dual-mode hybrids actually get better city MPG then highway MPG. At slow speeds, the hybrid uses the electric motor to lump along at low speeds, and uses regenerative braking to create juice for the battery. Cruising along at highway, the hybrid will only being using its gasoline engine, which really isn't any better then a standard gasoline powered car, other then fact the engine is so weak and tiny. Lastly, how LEO's are suppose to tell a hybrid Civic or Ford Escape Hybrid from a standard model, is beyond me. That means anyone with a regular Civic or Escape, gets a free pass too.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
If they get better city milage, that helps the environment. If single person use of the diamond lane encourages more people to buy "smart cars", (even if the advantages are isolated to city driving) then I think it is a plus. But at any rate... have you driven the freeways here in Los Angeles area? I'm guessing not very often... you stop more up there than you do on the city streets.
Around here you get a diamond lane sticker and not all the hybrids have them.... and you WILL get a ticket if you do not have that sticker and drive in the diamond lane in a hybrid. Motorcycle cops are out there looking. So it doesn't matter what you drive... you have to have the sticker.
 
speg

speg

Active Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3292239
Correct. The Volt drives 40 miles on solely battery power, (that came from being plugged into the wall). After that roughly 40 miles is up, the gasoline generator will come on, and power the electric motor for an additional 340 miles. Basically identical to a diesel-electric locomotive. The compromise is that because of the gasoline generator, they can't fit as many batteries onto the car, as say that Nissan Leaf. But the issue with the Nissan Leaf, is that it has a range of 100 miles, solely on battery power, no generator. I am going to assume that's a maximum of 100 miles, so if like you're stuck in stop and go traffic, your range is going to be massively less. And once that you're batteries are dead, its time to call a tow truck.
As for who would buy one, the same (well the same type of people) that paid $500 to be the first ones with a new iPhone, etc.
Not that I will ever drive something similar...

This would be a great car for someone like me who doesn't need to drive more than 40 miles a day. All I'd have to do is plug the car up at the end of the day and I'd basically never pay for gas again.....that would be well worth paying the 41k up front.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3292379
Lastly, how LEO's are suppose to tell a hybrid Civic or Ford Escape Hybrid from a standard model, is beyond me. That means anyone with a regular Civic or Escape, gets a free pass too.
Around here people have to apply for a special sticker that goes on the car in order to use the HOV lanes with their hybrid. As far as I know only the Prius and Civic hybrid are eligible
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
I'm still holding out for the star trek like transporter device.
My fusion and flex get ok mileage and my 8-cyl ram gets crappy mileage. I did look into getting the hybrid fusion but it only comes in a 4-cyl. I'm all for getting a better fule efficient car but the prices have to be more reasonable.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by Speg
http:///forum/post/3292386
This would be a great car for someone like me who doesn't need to drive more than 40 miles a day. All I'd have to do is plug the car up at the end of the day and I'd basically never pay for gas again.....that would be well worth paying the 41k up front.
Until you have to pay several thousand to replace the batteries in 2 years...
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3292379
Well, it will probably be illegal to be fat soon.
One can only hope, it is that retarded and unjust. First, HOV's shouldn't be used as a 'rewards' system. Secondly, and more importantly, cruising along the highway are not what hybrids are about. If you notice, all dual-mode hybrids actually get better city MPG then highway MPG. At slow speeds, the hybrid uses the electric motor to lump along at low speeds, and uses regenerative braking to create juice for the battery. Cruising along at highway, the hybrid will only being using its gasoline engine, which really isn't any better then a standard gasoline powered car, other then fact the engine is so weak and tiny. Lastly, how LEO's are suppose to tell a hybrid Civic or Ford Escape Hybrid from a standard model, is beyond me. That means anyone with a regular Civic or Escape, gets a free pass too.
My civic, and a hybrid look very different, from the stupid hybrid rims on up. But I agree, HOV lanes in and of itself are just stupid. But it really ticks me off, that they decide oh, you have the liberal approved vehicle, you get your own lane in the middle of the highway...
 
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