Difference between revisions of "Chevrolet Volt"
(add to popularity section) |
|||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
GM says the Volt is a niche car but will serve as a technological test bed for future advanced technology.<ref>http://gm-volt.com/2014/01/17/what-is-gm-doing-about-automotive-electrification/</ref>. | GM says the Volt is a niche car but will serve as a technological test bed for future advanced technology.<ref>http://gm-volt.com/2014/01/17/what-is-gm-doing-about-automotive-electrification/</ref>. | ||
| − | While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles. For environmentalists, electric automobiles appear to be the car of choice. In reality, it's not a game changer for the environment as liberals would have you believe. A reliance on electricity, commonly generated by coal power, does not offset the use of oil. | + | While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles.{{fact}} For environmentalists, electric automobiles appear to be the car of choice. In reality, it's not a game changer for the environment as liberals would have you believe. A reliance on electricity, commonly generated by coal power, does not offset the use of oil.{{fact}} |
==Sales== | ==Sales== | ||
Revision as of 04:09, February 2, 2014
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid car produced by GM. Unlike the Prius it uses lithium-ion batteries and can run on only the electric motor for an extended period.[1] The 149 HP electric motor can propel the vehicle to 101 mph and after the 16 kWh battery is depleted the gasoline engine switches on to provide energy for the motor and can couple itself to the wheels directly when above 70 mph.[2] The Volt, like any automobile with a 16 kWh battery or larger, is eligible for a $7,500 tax rebate when purchased.[3]
Ownership Satisfaction
Volt owners have the highest rate of owner satisfaction of any new car in 2011 and 2012. 93% of Volt owners would purchase the car again.[4][5]
Popularity
From a list of the top best-selling vehicles sold during the 2012 model year, the Volt was ranked 133 out of 262.[6] GM says the Volt is a niche car but will serve as a technological test bed for future advanced technology.[7].
While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles.[Citation Needed] For environmentalists, electric automobiles appear to be the car of choice. In reality, it's not a game changer for the environment as liberals would have you believe. A reliance on electricity, commonly generated by coal power, does not offset the use of oil.[Citation Needed]
Sales
Volt sales started slow with only 326 sold in 2010. 2011 saw a modest increase in monthly sales with a yearly total of 7671. A rapid increase happened in 2012 with 23,461 sold though 2013 sales have leveled off at 23,094. [8] [9]
Sales were strongest in California, approximately 50% of all sales [10]
With weak sales, GM may never recoup the car's $1.2 billion development costs,[11] a claim GM vehemently denies. [12]
Safety
General Motors collaborated with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Illinois Professional Firefighters’ Association (IFPA), National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to train first responders in handling the peculiarities of electric vehicle accidents. GM also created an emergency response guide for emergency professionals and public use.[13]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded the Chevy Volt does not constitute a fire safety risk and is quoted as saying, ‘no discernible defect trend exists’ after investigating a battery compartment fire that started two weeks after a Volt was destroyed in a crash test. GM has responded further by modifying existing and future Volts to better withstand crashes in the future. [14]
Further reading
- Unbolting the Chevy Volt to See How it Ticks
- How the 2011 Chevrolet Volt Works
- Chevrolet Volt Review
- Roseann Salanitri, "General Motors'Sour Deal," Conservative News and Views, 22 September 2012
- ↑ "2014 Volt Models & Specs"
- ↑ "First Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt", Motor Trend, Dec. 2010.
- ↑ http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-In-Electric-Vehicle-Credit-(IRC-30-and-IRC-30D)
- ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/12/01/survey-finds-chevrolet-volt-owners-most-satisfied/
- ↑ http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2012/1129/Chevy-Volt-tops-customer-satisfaction-survey-again
- ↑ http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/09/august-2012-ytd-all-vehicle-rankings.html
- ↑ http://gm-volt.com/2014/01/17/what-is-gm-doing-about-automotive-electrification/
- ↑ http://www.hybridcars.com/gm-sells-50000th-chevy-volt-in-october/
- ↑ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/05/chevy-volt-sales-inch-nissan-leaf-sales-2013/
- ↑ http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1082121_predicting-chevy-volt-sales-is-california-inventory-the-key
- ↑ "GM's losses up to $49,000 on each Volt", Reuters, 10 Sep 2012.
- ↑ http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/gm-fights-report-chevy-volts-rolling-away-49-173205445.html
- ↑ http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/08/gmfr-20100827.html
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/business/us-finds-no-defect-in-volt.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=automobiles&adxnnlx=1365182169-63HN9ZydY/7fcl60xagalA
