Volt

Note: this post originally appeared on the blog, GM Beyond Now

Much like Jeff Kaffee, the first U.S. customer of the Chevy Volt, Bob Rowe loves his EV.

“I will absolutely buy another one and can’t believe more people aren’t buying these vehicles,” said Rowe, senior labor relations manager for General Motors.

He’s owned his Volt since July and still has half a tank of gas, most of which was used by the dealer in Rochester delivering the car to Buffalo. Bob travels about 40 miles per day and is able to plug into the pole charging unit in the employee parking lot at GM’s Tonawanda Engine Plant. If he goes beyond 40 miles, he just uses the gas engine during the week.

“I’m so grateful to my colleagues Steve Finch, Paul Emond and Tom Mayer for having the foresight to get these charging stations installed at work. I only have to charge the car at home on the weekends and the cost is insignificant.

Rowe has a total of 3,675 miles on the car and has put in 7.5 gallons of gas, which equates to 490 mpg!

“Driving the car has gotten to be like a game – to see if I can get the most electric optimization, using the gages on the dash.”

If designing, building and selling a new generation of greener cars is like a game, too, mark Bob Rowe’s satisfaction as a win on the electric scoreboard.

The Chevrolet Volt's electric range varies with the temperature and many owners have questions on what they can do to get the most range out of their Volt during the winter. That’s why we'd like to invite you to join us for a web chat today at noon (EST) with Volt's Product Marketing Manager, Darin Gesse. Darin will be able to answer those cold weather questions you have and how they relate to the Volt. This chat is open to everyone. We hope you can join us!

Below are some tips to help you maximize your electric range:
1.        Precondition your car’s cabin while plugged in – Before you leave, take advantage of the energy from the grid to warm the vehicle’s cabin. This will allow you to reserve the stored battery energy for once you get out on the road.
2.        Keeping warm on the road – As always, setting the climate mode setting to Eco instead of Comfort will help reduce the energy used to heat the cabin. Also, if equipped, use the automatic heated seats to keep warm. It actually requires less energy to heat your body through the heated seats than through heating the entire cabin!
3.        Check your tire pressure – When the outside temperature drops, the air pressure in the tires will drop as well. Make sure your tires are inflated at the recommended level to improve your electric range and fuel economy.

Thanks to everybody that has shared stories on our Owner Stories page. We wanted to share a few quick examples of some of the stories we receive – check out the section for longer stories about road trips, neighbor reactions and more.

I've Been Volted
Phil St. Ores, Minnesota

My daily commute is 49 miles one way - mostly highway - for a total of 98 miles per day. Lucky for me, my company added a 240 volt plug so I can charge at work. Knowing I use less gas - per week - gives me a sense of satisfaction that I am in some small way contributing to future generation's clean air.  Plus, when the temperatures are above 35 degrees, I tend to exceed the average 38 miles per charge. The movie selection LED is great as is the song search. My only complaint is that it does not serve me coffee in the morning!
*Note: The 2013 Chevy Volt has an EPA-estimated 38 miles on a single charge; EPA-est. 98 MPGe [electric]; 35 city, 40 MPG hwy [gas]. Actual range varies with conditions.

2 months in with my amazing Volt, "Volty"
Adam Levine, California

When my old Saturn needed to be replaced, I decided I wanted to join the EV revolution. I was looking at several electric vehicles and I stumbled on the Volt. During the test drive, I couldn't help smiling the whole time. It is the first time I have ever felt this way about a car.
Within my first month I still had three-quarters of a tank of gas and I couldn't believe it. In addition, I drove off the lot with a full charge of 35 miles and as of today, two months later - a full charge gets me 45 miles. I still have a half tank of gas and if I wasn't driving a long distance for Thanksgiving, I'd be able to go four months without filling up. I’ll be staying with the Volt for as long as I can drive.
*Note: The 2013 Chevy Volt has an EPA-estimated 38 miles on a single charge; EPA-est. 98 MPGe [electric]; 35 city, 40 MPG hwy [gas]. Actual range varies with conditions. The average Volt owner fills up their gas tank about once per month.

There are multiple ways to remotely connect with your Chevrolet Volt. From the ability to remotely schedule charging to competing with other Volt owners to find out who is the most efficient driver, there are several mobile apps tailored to your personal style and the way you want to stay connected to your Volt.

Volt Driver Challenge
Are YOU the most efficient Volt driver? The Chevrolet Volt Driver Challenge (DC) app lets you track, maximize and compare your Volt’s efficiency to other drivers on the road. Then one-up other Volt drivers to earn achievements, scorecards and a spot on the leaderboards. Read more.

Download it now from the App Store or Google Play.

OnStar RemoteLink™
The OnStar RemoteLink™ mobile app shows the battery level and charge mode of your Volt –120V or 240V – right on your smartphone. You’ll be able to remotely verify that your Volt is plugged in, schedule a future charging time and receive charge alerts. Beyond the battery, this app also lets you lock or unlock, or remotely start your Volt from anywhere. Read more.

Download it now from the App Store or Google Play.

To further connect your Volt through OnStar®, go to MyVolt.com.

myChevrolet
Download the myChevrolet†app to gain the ability to find your Volt in the parking lot or get roadside assistance when you need it. You also get fast access to your Owner’s Manual, and you can schedule a service appointment from anywhere. Read more.

Download it now from the App Store or Google Play.

Dear Volt Owners and Fans

As this year comes to a close we would like to thank you, our customers and supporters, for a wonderful year. Thanks to you we were able to mark a second year in a row at the top of the Volt’s segment in the annual J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study and another year having the highest vehicle satisfaction of any vehicle in an annual survey. You have truly been incredible advocates for the Volt.

Already, the lessons learned by the Volt are proving valuable in the development of other vehicles like the Chevrolet Spark EV and the Cadillac ELR. However, we are also excited for what 2013 will bring for the Volt. This holiday season we want to wish you and your loved ones the best as you ring in the new year.

Happy Holidays

Disclosure: EPA-estimated 38-mile range based on 98 MPGe (electric); 342-mile range based on 35 MPG city/40 highway (gas). Actual range varies with conditions. Volt owners on average, by charging regularly, are driving 900 miles between fill-ups.
A few months ago, my father finally pulled the trigger on a five-year long obsession. He bought a Chevrolet Volt! From the moment he saw the concept vehicle he followed its path to production with the fever and excitement that one might have for their favorite sports team. As a GM retiree, he was proud of the company’s decision to build such a game-changing vehicle.

Soon after he bought the car I drove out to visit him to share in his excitement. After 5 minutes in the car, two things became glowingly apparent: the car was built well and the technology was light years ahead of anything I had ever experienced in an automobile. On that fateful day I was still an owner of a beautiful 2008 Cadillac CTS. In many ways, the CTS was my dream car. A true gem and I had all intentions on driving that vehicle for another 5 or 6 years. As I drove the Volt that day, I realized that the Volt was simply a better vehicle for my family and I. I should note that the comparison between the vehicles proved to be a great study, as both offer similar options and MSRP…even if you don’t include the Volt’s “the future-is-now” engine technology.

Besides my mom and dad, some of the most influential and important people in my life were my teachers and coaches. I actually decided to become a teacher in the middle of my senior year of college. After speaking with my high school English teacher, who was also a close friend and mentor, I decided to go back for a fifth year of college to complete my education degree. Throughout my younger years I was fortunate to have many teachers and coaches who made an impact on my life and I hope that, as a teacher, I can make a difference in the lives of my students as well.

Being a teacher isn't about helping students get ready to take a test; it is about making a difference and helping them get ready for life. As an environmental science teacher at Sterling High School, I recently had the opportunity to teach a group of tenth graders about economics and the environment through a hands-on project using a Chevrolet Volt (Yes... a car.)

As a teacher, I try to create projects that allow my students to see the real-world application for the knowledge and skills they are gaining in the classroom. I started the Sterling High School Chevrolet Volt Project in order to integrate many different disciplines into a hands-on classroom experience. Unlike traditional classes that focus on specific content areas, the SHS Chevy Volt Project presents students with a learning opportunity not found in a textbook.

How can a car teach high school students about the economics and the environment? Well, The Chevrolet Volt caught my interest in early 2011 due to the unique engineering design that provides electric power for the average commuter, but then has extended range capabilities provided by an onboard generator. My round-trip daily commute is about 40 miles, so the EPA estimated 35 mile electric range seemed the perfect fit to test this new technology and also serve as a hypothetical case study for my Environmental Science classes*.1 Thanks to the financial support provided by a number of sponsors, this idea became a reality for me and my students in January 2012.

As you drive on, calendars and informative graphs will show just how often you hit your goals and keep track of your efficiency over time to identify patterns. From there, you can set new goals to find your ideal balance of EV miles and gas miles, no matter the length of your drive.

Download the app today! Android users: http://bit.ly/Wz4IAn  Apple users: http://bit.ly/VbJfOB 

Disclaimer: Available on select iPhone and Android devices. Services vary by phone, vehicle and conditions. Requires active OnStar subscription, which is standard for the first three years.