Changes

[[File:2012 Chevy Volt.jpg|right|250px]]

[[File:2012 Chevy Volt.jpg|right|250px]]

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.<ref>"[http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/specs/trims.html 2014 Volt Models & Specs]"</ref> The 149 HP electric motor can propel the vehicle to 101&nbsp;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&nbsp;mph.<ref>"[http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2011_chevrolet_volt_test/ First Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt]", ''Motor Trend'', Dec. 2010.</ref> The Volt, like any automobile with a 16 kWh battery or larger, is eligible for a $7,500 tax rebate when purchased.<ref>http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-In-Electric-Vehicle-Credit-(IRC-30-and-IRC-30D)</ref> One study claims that the car costs taxpayers the equivalent of $250,000 per vehicle.<ref>"[http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/sectors/item/4387-each-chevy-volt-costs-taxpayers-$250000 Each Chevy Volt Costs Taxpayers $250,000]", ''New American'', 22 December 2011</ref>

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.<ref>"[http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/specs/trims.html 2014 Volt Models & Specs]"</ref> The 149 HP electric motor can propel the vehicle to 101&nbsp;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&nbsp;mph.<ref>"[http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2011_chevrolet_volt_test/ First Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt]", ''Motor Trend'', Dec. 2010.</ref> The Volt, like any automobile with a 16 kWh battery or larger, is eligible for a $7,500 tax rebate when purchased.<ref>https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Plug-In-Electric-Vehicle-Credit-(IRC-30-and-IRC-30D)</ref> One study claims that the car costs taxpayers the equivalent of $250,000 per vehicle.<ref>"[https://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/sectors/item/4387-each-chevy-volt-costs-taxpayers-$250000 Each Chevy Volt Costs Taxpayers $250,000]", ''New American'', 22 December 2011</ref>

== Ownership Satisfaction==

== Ownership Satisfaction==

From a list of the top best-selling vehicles sold during the 2012 model year, the Volt was ranked 133 out of 262.<ref>http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/09/august-2012-ytd-all-vehicle-rankings.html</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>

From a list of the top best-selling vehicles sold during the 2012 model year, the Volt was ranked 133 out of 262.<ref>http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/09/august-2012-ytd-all-vehicle-rankings.html</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. Of the 15 million cars sold in 2012, only 100,000 were electric. A grand total of just one tenth of one percent of all cars.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/19/autos/electric-car/ Year of the electric car blows a fuse, CNN Money, October 19, 2012]</ref> 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.<ref>"[http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/why-more-electric-cars-wont-impact-us-air-pollution/ Why more electric cars won't save the world from climate change]," SmartPlanet.com, January 23, 2014</ref> A reliance on electric automobiles, electricity commonly generated by coal power,<ref>[http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/how-coal-used-power-cars How is coal used to power cars?], Discovery.com</ref> does not offset emissions. Even if half the auto market was comprised of electric vehicles, emissions would not be affected.<ref>"[http://www.science20.com/news_articles/mass_acceptance_electric_cars_would_have_little_impact_us_emissions-128117 Mass Acceptance Of Electric Cars Would Have Little Impact On US Emissions]", Science20.com, January 21st 2014</ref>

While current owners appear most satisfied, the general public has little interest in electric vehicles. Of the 15 million cars sold in 2012, only 100,000 were electric. A grand total of just one tenth of one percent of all cars.<ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2012/10/19/autos/electric-car/ Year of the electric car blows a fuse, CNN Money, October 19, 2012]</ref> 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.<ref>"[http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/why-more-electric-cars-wont-impact-us-air-pollution/ Why more electric cars won't save the world from climate change]," SmartPlanet.com, January 23, 2014</ref> A reliance on electric automobiles, electricity commonly generated by coal power,<ref>[http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/how-coal-used-power-cars How is coal used to power cars?], Discovery.com</ref> does not offset emissions. Even if half the auto market was comprised of electric vehicles, emissions would not be affected.<ref>"[http://www.science20.com/news_articles/mass_acceptance_electric_cars_would_have_little_impact_us_emissions-128117 Mass Acceptance Of Electric Cars Would Have Little Impact On US Emissions]", Science20.com, January 21st 2014</ref>

==Sales==

==Sales==

{{cquote|The Volt has sold a mere 58,158 units since it first went on sale just over three years ago. Despite price cuts, cash-back deals, and heavy promotion from President Obama and environmentalists, sales have been anemic.}} <ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/04/09/GM-Has-Sold-Only-58000-Chevy-Volts-in-Three-Years GM HAS SOLD ONLY 58,000 CHEVY VOLTS IN THREE YEARS, Brietbart.com, April 9, 2014]</ref>

{{cquote|The Volt has sold a mere 58,158 units since it first went on sale just over three years ago. Despite price cuts, cash-back deals, and heavy promotion from President Obama and environmentalists, sales have been anemic.}} <ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/04/09/GM-Has-Sold-Only-58000-Chevy-Volts-in-Three-Years GM HAS SOLD ONLY 58,000 CHEVY VOLTS IN THREE YEARS, Brietbart.com, April 9, 2014]</ref>

Volt sales started slow with only 326 sold in 2010. 2011 saw a modest increase in monthly sales with a yearly total of 7671. An increase happened in 2012 with 23,461 sold though 2013 sales have leveled off at 23,094.<ref>http://www.hybridcars.com/gm-sells-50000th-chevy-volt-in-october/</ref><ref>http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/05/chevy-volt-sales-inch-nissan-leaf-sales-2013/</ref> Sales were strongest in California, approximately 50% of all sales.<ref>http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1082121_predicting-chevy-volt-sales-is-california-inventory-the-key</ref>

Volt sales started slow with only 326 sold in 2010. 2011 saw a modest increase in monthly sales with a yearly total of 7671. An increase happened in 2012 with 23,461 sold though 2013 sales have leveled off at 23,094.<ref>http://www.hybridcars.com/gm-sells-50000th-chevy-volt-in-october/</ref><ref>http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/05/chevy-volt-sales-inch-nissan-leaf-sales-2013/</ref> Sales were strongest in California, approximately 50% of all sales.<ref>http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1082121_predicting-chevy-volt-sales-is-california-inventory-the-key</ref>

Given the weak sales, GM may never recoup the car's $1.2 billion development costs,<ref>"[http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/10/Insight--GMs-Volt---The-ugly-math-of-low-sales--high-costs GM's losses up to $49,000 on each Volt]", Reuters, 10 Sep 2012.</ref> a claim GM vehemently denies.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/gm-fights-report-chevy-volts-rolling-away-49-173205445.html</ref>

Given the weak sales, GM may never recoup the car's $1.2 billion development costs,<ref>"[https://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/10/Insight--GMs-Volt---The-ugly-math-of-low-sales--high-costs GM's losses up to $49,000 on each Volt]", Reuters, 10 Sep 2012.</ref> a claim GM vehemently denies.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/gm-fights-report-chevy-volts-rolling-away-49-173205445.html</ref>

==Safety==

==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.<ref>http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/08/gmfr-20100827.html</ref>

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.<ref>http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/08/gmfr-20100827.html</ref>

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.<ref>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</ref>

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.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/business/us-finds-no-defect-in-volt.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=automobiles&adxnnlx=1365182169-63HN9ZydY/7fcl60xagalA</ref>

==Mechanical Issues==

==Mechanical Issues==

Batteries on several Chevrolet Volt cars caught fire. A coolant leak was the reason given by GM.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204336104577092292258380790 Probe of GM's Volt Fires May Be Lengthy, WSJ.com, December 12, 2011]</ref>

Batteries on several Chevrolet Volt cars caught fire. A coolant leak was the reason given by GM.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204336104577092292258380790 Probe of GM's Volt Fires May Be Lengthy, WSJ.com, December 12, 2011]</ref>

Battery degradation is seriously flawed, dropping as much as 57% in very cold weather and by 33% in extreme heat. This affects all electric vehicles, not just the Volt.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/20/cold-sharply-cuts-range-of-electric-vehicles/6622979/ AAA: Range of electric cars cut in cold, hot weather, USAToday, March 20, 2014]</ref>

Battery degradation is seriously flawed, dropping as much as 57% in very cold weather and by 33% in extreme heat. This affects all electric vehicles, not just the Volt.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/20/cold-sharply-cuts-range-of-electric-vehicles/6622979/ AAA: Range of electric cars cut in cold, hot weather, USAToday, March 20, 2014]</ref>

==Further reading==

==Further reading==