Is the Volt an EV or is it a hybrid?
Last week, we started to take a look at other electric vehicles (EVs). The first vehicle that we looked at was the Chevrolet Volt as it is launching about the same time as the LEAF, is getting a significant amount of press, and is raising the awareness of EVs in general. One of our readers commented that it really should be compared with other hybrids rather than an EV such as the LEAF. We felt that this was worth examining a little more closely.
While true that Volt uses a gasoline engine, just like a Prius hybrid or a BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, those vehicles do not really have a true “EV” mode. While they can run on battery power only, it is only for extremely short distances and very low vehicle speeds. They are designed to operate with their gasoline engines and electric motors in tandem – one helping the other to increase fuel economy while providing adequate power for the users needs. Neither can be plugged in to charge their electric battery, although Toyota is planning a Prius plug-in hybrid which is slated to launch in 2012.
Volt is an electric vehicle that can provide electric motor only propulsion for 25 to 50 miles, depending on conditions. The gasoline engine will start when needed to charge the battery, but if driven less than that distance, one may see the gasoline engine run only rarely. In fact, for our own driving situation, quite often the Volt would never fire the internal combustion engine (ICE).
That said, the Volt still will not find a place in our driveway. Our family of five precludes it as it only seats four. Oh yeah… and that $41,000 price tag. The roughly $8-9,000 difference between a LEAF and a Volt would provide for any number of vehicle rentals to take us places beyond the reach of the LEAF if need be. But we feel that the Volt truly is an electric vehicle, albeit one that cannot make the claim of zero emissions.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Q: “Is the Chevrolet Volt an electric car?”
A: No. The Volt is a primarily a serial hybrid. The Volt is also a parallel hybrid because the electric traction motor and the ICE can work together at highway speeds to drive the wheels. So the Volt is simply a hybrid and will compete with the Prius. May the best hybrid win!
By the way, the Volt isn’t eligible for the $5000 electric car incentive in California. Also,the Volt isn’t eligible for free car pool lane access for electric cars. That’s because the Volt is a hybrid, not an electric car.
The Volt gives me “Lug Anxiety”. By that I mean that I have concerns about lugging around a heavy engine, radiator, water pump, belts, hoses, etc when all I need is a 100 mile range electric car, like the LEAF!
indy – Thank you for your comments! I look forward to them, as you often make me think about things differently, or that may not have occurred to me. I like “Lug Anxiety”. I think that you should trademark it. (grin)
You’re forgetting one thing – the Volt cannot be driven without gasoline. Not 25-50 miles, not even one inch. Without gasoline in the tank, the car will not start. Understandably the Volt is a confusing animal – it behaves like a EV sometimes, like a serial hybrid at others, and even as a parallel hybrid on occasion. However, if you are pouring gasoline into your car then it is not an EV.
Chris – I did not know that. Thanks for your input.