The slogan “your mileage may vary,” rings most true when it comes to plug-in hybrids and electric cars. Many conditions factor into how the cars perform on the fuel economy side of things, and it’s no different for the 2018 Chevrolet Volt.
YouTube channel “Fuel Economy” tested a 2018 Chevrolet Volt to see if its EPA-estimated ratings of 53 miles electric and 42 MPG were on par for the compact plug-in hybrid. In the right conditions, the Volt surpassed them with ease.
The tester began the week of fuel economy tests with a full charge and full tank of gasoline. The estimated EV range sat at 56 miles and gasoline range sat at 312 miles. No re-charging or re-fueling was done during the week-long test, and the results showed the Volt went 62 miles on a single charge and 196 miles when operating the gasoline engine in hybrid mode. Total, the car went 259 miles without refueling or re-charging.
Our host said re-charging the battery would cost around $1.40 CAD, or just over $1 USD, and filling the tank after burning through half of its fuel cost him $19.50 CAD. At $2.50 per gallon on average in the U.S., topping off the Volt would cost about $10. The cost savings are on full display here.
And this was without charging the Volt after running it to a depleted battery. Obviously, most owners plug their Volts in every day to have a full charge at all times. From personal experience, I haven’t used a drop of gasoline since July for a lengthy trip to the lake. That is, until the Volt kicks on the gasoline engine for mandatory “engine maintenance” to burn fuel after going unused for so long.
The Volt’s electric range truly is a “guess-o-meter” most days. Many factors go into extending the range or depleting it quicker. Colder temperatures, driving downhill more often and running the air conditioning or heat will all play havoc with the estimated range. Again, from personal experience, I’ve seen my estimated range climb as high as 72 miles in the dead of summer, and as low as 25 miles in below-freezing temperatures.
Comments
Almost all cars Best their EPA ratings. For example, my Chevy Sonic, with a mixture of City, and highway, w/ mostly city, I’m averaging 31.2mpg. When I fill up, it says I’ll get 355mi of range. I fill up every time I reach only a quarter of a tank, which is approx 3gals. The Sonic has a 12.2gal tank. Counting miles from fill up to next fill up, I achieve ~410 miles driven. Please note** your driving habits, and input on the throttle do make a difference, and shifting your own gears does as well. I have an automatic, but i shift with the gear selector. EcoTec 1.8L 4-Cyl 138hp at 6.3K RPM, 125lb/ft of Torque at 3.8K RPM
I’ve had the same experience reaching > 72 mile range on electric. My daily commute is ~ 55 miles RT. With a daily charge, I usually don’t fill the gas tank for months.
I own a Cadillac SRX, but regard my Volt as my daily commuter car. Wish GM would focus on improving and promoting the Volt! When appropriate, I will puchase another.
Sean, if you keep wasting my time with wrong and/or useless info I will be forced to ignore your articles. Yesterday i pointed out to you that as you clearly showed here, PHEV drivers do in fact pay gas taxes – lots of ’em in Canada! And today you mistakenly said it takes 18+KWH to recharge a Volt when in Fact the software only lets you use 10 KWH to protect the batteries.
Mine likes to sit in the high 60’s in summer, but you can tell its clearly increased as you drove by the time I get home, meaning I’d be able to get over 70 without much issue.
It’ll drop into the 50s during the (Michigan) winter, even in January.
My 2017 Chevy Volt has a lifetime MPGE of 132, and that’s 61,800 miles of real world driving including the use of gasoline.
It’s more efficient than Tesla Model 3! I can get 200 miles on a single full charge and 700 miles on a full charge and a full tank.
Ronald sounds like you don’t want to be here…..Well goodbye Ronald. I apreciate the article. I have moved on to a bmw i3 94ah REX . My volt was awsome and i always got 13.9kw used before the gas generator kicked in. Now days i am a solid 150 miles before i get to my tiny REX generator.