Purchased a Voltshelf in dark grey for my 2017 Volt this past week. Arrived promptly via Fed Ex. Instructions are clear and installation is relatively simple. Two clips attached to "trunk" sidewalls hold the back of the shelf up and the front attaches to the rear headrests which must be removed to insert a string loop so the shelf essentially floats and will lift with the hatch opened for access. I noted a dampening of the subwoofer since the shelf creates an enclosure and can be compensated by increasing the gain of the sub. When carrying tall items you will need to detach the shelf which can be placed on the floor of the trunk. In order to detach the shelf you must remove the rear headrests which is cumbersome and can probably be jury rigged to avoid this problem. Although I found the product to be well made it is not a modification that I desire and have put it up for sale on the the forum under G-M Volt For Sale section.
A review of the Voltshelf
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My 2009 Chevy Equinox (Gen 2: 2005 to 2009) has a roller type of security shade cover that is held with two spring loaded pins (about 1.5 inch diameter) into two holes in the trunk area behind the seats. The roller shade can be pulled and held in place by two smaller pins that slide into two slots at the rear next to the tail gate. Sinec the Equinox was factory designed to hold this shade, and it is easily opened by pulling the shade out of the rear slots and letting the roller take it up, I wonder why GM didn't add this feature into newer vehicles.
As the main pins are spring loaded, the entire roller shar can be remove for taller or larger cargo, which I have doone several times.
https://www.amazon.com/2010-2014-Chevrolet-Equinox-Security-23131658/dp/B00B9HFO0Y
http://www.chevrolet.com/equinox-fuel-efficient-suv/accessories.html
As the main pins are spring loaded, the entire roller shar can be remove for taller or larger cargo, which I have doone several times.
https://www.amazon.com/2010-2014-Chevrolet-Equinox-Security-23131658/dp/B00B9HFO0Y
http://www.chevrolet.com/equinox-fuel-efficient-suv/accessories.html
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The Bolt EV comes with a rear shelf that operates in a similar way to the VoltShelf. However, it uses fabric stretched over a frame (like a picture frame) to keep weight to a minimum. Of course, if you are the type who wants to store all their household goods on the shelf (blocking the rear window) this space frame approach may not be enough for you. 
There are many things I love about my 2017, but the fabric cargo cover is not one of them. I guess it works okay, but it feels incredibly cheap. An alternate way to do it would be to have it be a flexible shade that comes out from the side, like in some Hondas I've seen. That way, it doesn't have to interfere with the rear seats, and you could pull it out and lock it with one hand. Also, the Volt has those unusually thick side areas in the trunk, and I don't see why they couldn't integrated the shade roller into that area.
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Yeah, that's my biggest beef too. I fold down the seats infrequently, but when I need to, I don't have time to waste or I'm in the Costco parking lot where crawling around the back of the Volt ain't fun. Maybe the next iteration of the Voltshelf should have quick release clips. Heck, if the sewn-in loops on the back were made of industrial velcro that could work too. If I wasn't lazy I might go to Michaels or REI and do my own retrofit!
Actually, the shelf sits below the top edge of the seat backs, so it is even less likely to be a problem.
The only thing I don't like about my voltshelf is mounting the front of the voltshelf to the headrests of the back seats. You can't lay the back seats down without removing the voltshelf first, so it makes transporting longer items that require laying the seats down into a pain in the butt. If I ever get ambitious enough I will make my own front mount solution to allow normal operation of the split fold down rear seats.
Keith
The Bolt's "privacy screen" is a glorified loin cloth the Volt comes with. Toss on some hat and some gloves, scarf, even a lightweight jacket....sure, no prob. Anything weighing more than a few pounds and you risk something ripping.The Bolt EV comes with a rear shelf that operates in a similar way to the VoltShelf. However, it uses fabric stretched over a frame (like a picture frame) to keep weight to a minimum. Of course, if you are the type who wants to store all their household goods on the shelf (blocking the rear window) this space frame approach may not be enough for you.
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I made this modification to my volt shelf using adjustable bungee tarp balls. I threaded the bungee cords through the voltshelf and looped the cords over the entire headrest. If I need to fold the backseats down, I can unlatch them and use the voltshelf as handle to lower the seats (unlatch the hatch cords first of course). I can also use the shelf to pull the seats back to the upright position. Here are some pics.
Hi Guys! I'm sorry I'm late to this party, I've been away for a week of so and only just getting caught up to all that I've missed. A couple of thoughts from the VoltShop on the headrest issue... I have found that the headrests aren't really that big of a deal once you practice a bit. Admittedly, I've done it a lot, but with a little practice, most folks can get them on and off just as quickly as other options that I've looked at. With that said, I fully understand that some will disagree.
I have looked at Velcro straps and a cord lock on the bottom of the VS, but these still tend to be awkward in different ways. What have discovered is that removing the headrest from the back of the car is generally easier than trying to do it while in the back of the car. This takes a bit of leaning which may be more difficult for some, but climbing in the back seat sideways isn't all that simple either... And when I tried the cord lock under the VS as dunhilldarts shows, supporting the VS while threading the cord through it, then putting the cord lock on is a bit more complicated and awkward than you might think.
I know there are other possible solutions. One customer found clips like on a dog leash. The closed end is a good fit for the headrest posts and the clip end is right over the holes in the VS. This sill seems a little awkward to me, but I like the idea, but have not fully tested it out at this time. And I have NO objection to folks modifying the forward attachment to something that works better for them. I will look at any and all suggestions to see if it looks like one that should be adopted across the board.
Finally, with the additional height under the VS in this version of it, there is less need to take it down, lessening the degree of the concern. And, perhaps I need to do more to inform folks of this, but the VoltShelf g2.1 does not even need to be taken off of the headrests to fold the seats down with it. The forward strings are long enough to act as a hinge. Unlatch both seats, unhook the lifting strings, and push the VS into the back of the seats. It will push then down and fold right onto the back of them. For 95% of the situations that I can think of, this is prefect. In fact, I have talked to a few of you about this and the general consensus is that actually taking the VoltShelf off of the headrests would be a 1 time per year deal for most folks.
Thank you to ScottinMa for your honest thoughts and positive review. I completely understand that sometimes something you purchase isn't exactly what you had in mind, or doesn't quite meet your needs as you thought it might. I was happy to work with Scott to resolve everything.
Given all of that, I think the current set up is the right one for the vast majority of folks out there. I do encourage modification for folks that see the need. And when a better set up is available, you will be the first to know and I will offer it at little or no charge to anyone that wants it.
By the way, the Bolt's cargo cover seems to be little better than the Volt's. There will be a BoltShelf. And a BoltScreen. The first Bolt that I can get my hands on will be the development mule for those pieces. And they will be in NY soon, so stand by.
HTH,
Steve
I have looked at Velcro straps and a cord lock on the bottom of the VS, but these still tend to be awkward in different ways. What have discovered is that removing the headrest from the back of the car is generally easier than trying to do it while in the back of the car. This takes a bit of leaning which may be more difficult for some, but climbing in the back seat sideways isn't all that simple either... And when I tried the cord lock under the VS as dunhilldarts shows, supporting the VS while threading the cord through it, then putting the cord lock on is a bit more complicated and awkward than you might think.
I know there are other possible solutions. One customer found clips like on a dog leash. The closed end is a good fit for the headrest posts and the clip end is right over the holes in the VS. This sill seems a little awkward to me, but I like the idea, but have not fully tested it out at this time. And I have NO objection to folks modifying the forward attachment to something that works better for them. I will look at any and all suggestions to see if it looks like one that should be adopted across the board.
Finally, with the additional height under the VS in this version of it, there is less need to take it down, lessening the degree of the concern. And, perhaps I need to do more to inform folks of this, but the VoltShelf g2.1 does not even need to be taken off of the headrests to fold the seats down with it. The forward strings are long enough to act as a hinge. Unlatch both seats, unhook the lifting strings, and push the VS into the back of the seats. It will push then down and fold right onto the back of them. For 95% of the situations that I can think of, this is prefect. In fact, I have talked to a few of you about this and the general consensus is that actually taking the VoltShelf off of the headrests would be a 1 time per year deal for most folks.
Thank you to ScottinMa for your honest thoughts and positive review. I completely understand that sometimes something you purchase isn't exactly what you had in mind, or doesn't quite meet your needs as you thought it might. I was happy to work with Scott to resolve everything.
Given all of that, I think the current set up is the right one for the vast majority of folks out there. I do encourage modification for folks that see the need. And when a better set up is available, you will be the first to know and I will offer it at little or no charge to anyone that wants it.
By the way, the Bolt's cargo cover seems to be little better than the Volt's. There will be a BoltShelf. And a BoltScreen. The first Bolt that I can get my hands on will be the development mule for those pieces. And they will be in NY soon, so stand by.
HTH,
Steve
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