[alfon]

Does anybody have any insight if the 2018 Volt will have a faster charging rate, from 3.8 KW/ Hour to maybe 6.6 or 7.2 KW/ Hour. I don't think it would be a big deal, probably just a software update on GM's part.

I'm somewhat surprised that a Volt owner with knowledge of software etc. has not attempted to try the upgrade on
their Volt.

I don't believe there would be any issue with the battery over charging as the other day going down a few mountains our 2016 Volt was taking in well over 30 KW's of regen energy into the battery.

If not the 2018 model year I bet the Volt Gen 3 will have a faster charging rate and perhaps a 20 KWH battery with 16-17 KWH usable.

 

[ClarksonCote]

It would not just be a software update. A larger physical charger would be required. It is highly unlikely you'll see this change, despite that it would have a negligible effect on the battery's life.

The charger is not the same hardware as the motors and motor controller that provide regenerative braking.

 

[volt spain]

Too early to fool around with the Volt charging system since you will loose the * 8 yrs Voltec Warranty,,,perhaps after 2019-2020 LOL

 

[volt spain]

Your 8 yrs VOLTEC Warranty will be gone!!!.

 

[Loboc]

This has been a topic since 2010. There are two things driving GM's decisions in this area I think.

- Anything over 20amp @ 110v is not doable for most (60%) of Volt owners anyway.
- Costs too much

 

[rmay635703]

No The 2018 will get no written updates exactly the same everything as 2017

When they hit lots we will see if there are any hidden benefits of 2018 ownership

 

[baragona]

It is a big deal. Its not just a software update. It requires the installation of a 6.6KW (or 7.2) charger in the vehicle itself.

GM decided that the percentage of Volt owners that would purchase and use the 6.6 KWH charging was not sufficient enough to justify adding this, even as an option, because it would increase the cost for all Volts including those who didn't choose the option.

I expect this will remain throughout the life cycle of the GEN II. GM may revisit this decision with the GEN III.

 

[llninja]

It is a big deal. Its not just a software update. It requires the installation of a 6.6KW (or 7.2) charger in the vehicle itself.

GM decided that the percentage of Volt owners that would purchase and use the 6.6 KWH charging was not sufficient enough to justify adding this, even as an option, because it would increase the cost for all Volts including those who didn't choose the option.

I expect this will remain throughout the life cycle of the GEN II. GM may revisit this decision with the GEN III.

I for one hope there isn't a Gen 3 volt, but instead every new GM vehicle comes with an ICE, Voltec, or Boltec option. I want a Voltec Subyukonade!!!

As for faster charging. I say no way!!! If you want a Chevy with fast charge, get a bolt premium wth the DCFC option.

 

[viking79]

It is really hard to predict the future of the Volt. It hasn't been updated for a year and a half now, so it is due for something. However, ZEV credits change for 2018, so I sort of expect the Volt to continue without changes until the end of the generation (but they could change this year to respond to credits).

It looks like in 2018 the Volt will drop to being around 1 ZEV credit per car from the 2 it is at currently, so GM will have incentive to sell more of them. This could include reducing battery capacity to lower cost, or do something else to make them more desirable. Increasing the range to 80 miles would only get an extra 0.3 credits so maybe not worth it, but cutting range to 25 miles would only cut credits to 0.75. The new Prius Prime is very much targeting the 2018+ ZEV credits based on specs I have seen (they made it harder for the gas engine to start and range is sort of optimal for tax credits and keeping cost low while maintaining ZEV credits).

Honestly though, I think I would buy a Model 3 over a Volt. Can get across country on superchargers (in midwest region SC cost will be fairly close to charging at home cost, $0.16/min in Iowa, NE, WY, which is about $4.80 for 170 miles range, or less than 3 cents per mile). I see PHEVs like the Volt as being short lived. I see PHEVs like the Prius Prime or less range taking over the compliance cars as Volt is losing its ZEV credit advantage, and people willing to pay that much are more likely to want a full BEV with supercharging/fast charging.

Edit: PS, I don't think they will change the charger for above reasons. I don't think it will help them sell more, and it will raise the cost of the car. However, maybe with the Bolt EV it would be cheaper to make all the same charger, so maybe they should just change to that charger instead.

 

[canehdian]

It won't happen.
GM is satisfied with it as-is because they have data that shows most people use L1, and they don't really care why.
e.g.
Too expensive to get a second L2 unit for only a little gain (only 2.5x faster charging vs 5x faster)
Price too high at public stations? (many charge rate per hour, you're paying double per kWh what a 6.6/7.2kW user is)
Leased unit and people unsure they want to continue EV, so don't want to invest money in L2 at home.
etc.

I'm a strong believer that most people have said 'forget it' and stick to L1 because of one or all of the above. Not because they wouldn't want to charge faster and are happy with waiting 10-12h for a charge.
But "if you build it, they will come" - if it was equipped with 6.6kW I can pretty much guarantee the % using L2 would be higher. Fully charged in 2 hours has a much better ring than 4h.

 

[bonaire]

Since the design of the Volt is for a general use-case and not everyone trying to use it as a BEV nor having to install a high-AMP on-board AC charger like on the Bolt, I think they have done a good job.

I am 100% fine with my 2011 Volt and its 3.3KW charger. I can always wake up to a full "tank", I can get a recharge mid-day on a weekend day and do up to 100 miles of EV driving on a weekend day and other real-world experiences. I only deeply desired higher charge rates when I first got the car. I have learned that it is an EREV and not a BEV and if I really wanted a BEV, I'd get one of them but lose the great adaptability of not being tied to a charging network.

And the 100,000 gaschargers in the USA supercharge my range in 5 minutes if I go on a trip. 42 mpg on the highway is great.

 

[volt spain]

Probably after 2019-2020 when the Volt warranty is over for 2011/2012 models, we will start seeing modifications, and new battery exchanges for the few fanatics of GEN 1, who resist to buy a Bolt or Tesla 3.

 

[calvinist]

I for one hope there isn't a Gen 3 volt, but instead every new GM vehicle comes with an ICE, Voltec, or Boltec option. I want a Voltec Subyukonade!!!

As for faster charging. I say no way!!! If you want a Chevy with fast charge, get a bolt premium wth the DCFC option.

I seriously doubt there will be a Gen III. In five years, battery prices will likely fall enough that pure electric will make more sense for a small car due to the cost of the ICE and the overhead cost of having two separate power systems. But a PHEV system in a larger vehicle could still make sense due to the larger battery required. So if GM wants to get something more out of their VOLTEC investment, they need to start working on a VOLTEC truck.

 

[JoeReal]

Honestly though, I think I would buy a Model 3 over a Volt. Can get across country on superchargers (in midwest region SC cost will be fairly close to charging at home cost, $0.16/min in Iowa, NE, WY, which is about $4.80 for 170 miles range, or less than 3 cents per mile). I see PHEVs like the Volt as being short lived. I see PHEVs like the Prius Prime or less range taking over the compliance cars as Volt is losing its ZEV credit advantage, and people willing to pay that much are more likely to want a full BEV with supercharging/fast charging.

Well good luck with that. Every future Tesla owners would think the same. When there are many more TM3 charging at the stations, the total station's capacity will be rationed, and so will prolong the agony of charging. It might become snail charging.

Unless of course, Tesla has so much extra grid batteries that they will install to each and every supercharging stations so that it can be tapped without having to cause brownout in the neighborhood and everyone supercharges without rationing. Those grid batteries can double duty to help stabilize the local grid and are charged during off-peak times.

And then oil won't give up without a fight. Price of gasoline would drop that it would be more expensive to fuel with electricity than with gasoline. Unless of course Musk will match the price of electricity used per mile with whatever the gasoline price is. Or if you install solar PV at home, then price of gasoline won't matter.

At any rate, the early demise of Volt would be highly exaggerated. The Volt concept would be with us for a few more decades to come. I have many unplanned trips and emergencies that I couldn't simply plan my life around charging stations.

 

[llninja]

At any rate, the early demise of Volt would be highly exaggerated. The Volt concept would be with us for a few more decades to come. I have many unplanned trips and emergencies that I couldn't simply plan my life around charging stations.

I'm not looking for the early demise of the Volt, but the spreading of Voltec and Boltec technology to their entire vehicular lineup. I might be a decade early in hoping for this, but I sure hope it comes...sooner rather than later.

 

[Belgin]

There is no reason for a Gen 3 Volt. It is a great design brilliantly executed but has given GM what was needed. They have a battery design, motor design etc. They never wanted the Volt, battery costs and lack of charging stations determined the need for a gas generator. Now the battery costs can give them the car (Bolt) they always wanted in the first place. I would appriciate your Gen 1's for the trailblazers they are and were never given their due. The Gen '2s are the attempt to make the car mainstream that failed- functionally much better but their main goal was cost reduction that reduced the car to an electric Cruze. I love my Volt but it's time has past going forward unless they make a performance oriented Volt- meaning going upscale.

 

[mczajka]

The Volt needs to evolve into a small PHEV SUV with the same name.

 

[alfon]

The Chevy Equinox with a flat battery system, AWD, 75 miles all electric range, 100% electric like the Volt, and a fuel efficient gasoline engine for 40 MPG when in gas engine mode, using 87 octane, and folks we have a winner.....

 

[hellsop]

The Volt needs to evolve into a small PHEV SUV with the same name.

Why the same name?

 

[llninja]

The Chevy Equinox with a flat battery system, AWD, 75 miles all electric range, 100% electric like the Volt, and a fuel efficient gasoline engine for 40 MPG when in gas engine mode, using 87 octane, and folks we have a winner.....

I'd be happy an equinox or Suburban with any volte system, even if it means 30 miles of EV range.