Ouch! First Extended Volt Test Yields 33 Mile EV Range and 32 MPG
Popular Mechanics has just published the results of the first extended test of the Volt, covering 900 miles. The results are spectacularly unimpressive: Three different drivers drove the Volt on three successive days, starting with a full charge. The EV ranges were 31, 35 and 33 miles, for an average of 33 miles. Normal driving styles were employed. That’s well below GM’s endlessly proclaimed 40+ mile range, but not exactly terrible. We’ll save that word for the fuel economy numbers:
PM was able to measure fuel economy in the CS (charge sustaining mode) after the battery was fully depleted. In the city, the average was 31.67 mpg. On the highway, 38.15 mpg. That averages to about 35 mpg! And on premium fuel, which GM deemed necessary to try to optimize the efficiency of the gas engine. Adjusting for the higher cost of premium, that works out to an equivalent of 32 mpg on regular fuel. The Prius gets 50 mpg on regular, and many tests of the new Hyundai Sonata are coming in at 35 mpg on the highway. The new Cruze is to get 40 mpg. What happened to GM’s claims of 50 mpg for the Volt?
So what about the combined mileage, factoring in the EV range? PM’s number are 37.5 mpg city and 38.15 mpg highway.
Here’s PM’s bottom line:
As for the rather unremarkable fuel economy, it’s useful to remember that the Volt carries two powertrains—electric and gas—and thus suffers a weight penalty that effects overall efficiency. But of course, those two powertrains are why the Volt can be a primary vehicle that doesn’t ask the owner to compromise driving cycles like a pure EV. Consider the Volt a well-engineered first step on the path to electrified vehicles.
Shall we call that a baby step, and a mighty expensive one ($43k with charger) at that?
More by Paul Niedermeyer
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With the choice between the Volt, LEAF and Prius soon, I don't understand why people other than GM fans would buy this. There is no clear MPG figure available, probably by design, as it's becoming more clear that it's not anywhere near as efficient as we all were led to believe. If you want a city car, but the LEAF. If you want the best mileage, buy a Prius. If you want to support a company on taxpayer supplied life support, buy (or lease) the Volt. It gets good mileage, as do cars costing significantly less than the Volt's asking price, including the 25/36 Honda Civic or the 22/35 Hyundai Sonata stickering at 1/2 the price of the Volt.
Said it before and will say it again: Once there are a bunch of these electric carts plying the highways, some bureaucrat will snap out of his boredom-induced haze and realize that the state hasn't applied "road" or "highway" taxes on the electricity bill. Instant need for revenue, and entirely justifiable as well, because these vehicles will be using the roads just like a regular car, and paying NOTHING for the privilege. Because if they don't tax the transportation electricity, I for one will scream bloody blue murder at my representatives. Why should I overpay fuel taxes so that some other damn fool can get a free ride? And to cap it all off, government is giving $7500 as a credit for someone to buy one of these contraptions. That also comes out of my hide, and I'm unhappy about it. This is the reality of unfairness and societal meddling. Since the purchase of a vehicle is an entirely individual thing, I'm against any and all governmental "assistance" on my dime. You want the latest shiny new toy? Pay for it yourself.