[Brian Loves Cars]

Today I drove 62.9 miles on 12.5 kWh, or 5.03 miles per kWh. Some quick calculations.

Economic equivalent mpg: Assuming electricity is 12 cents per kWh and gas is 3.60 per gallon, thats the economic equivalent of 150mpg.

Co2 equivalent mpg: Assuming pure coal power at 2 lbs of C02 per kWh thats 25lbs of C02 or the equivalent of about 1.3 gallons of gas. Thats the equivalent of 48mpg. Assuming the national average of 1.05 pounds of C02 per kWh we are at about 2/3 of a gallon of gas or about 95mpg average. Source for national average is here. This isn't too important to me at this time, but is important to many people.

Oil import use equivalent mpg: infinity. That means a lower current account deficit, and a lower net necessary federal deficit to allow the economy to function normally, and less money going to people who hate me! I don't even go to pubs where I can't stand the bartenders, much less ones where they can't stand me, do you? Why send all that money to all those dictators?

That is an enormous win and trumps even the Prius, which is undeniably a masterpiece of gas engined fuel efficiency. I'd say the Volt is winning, and I have taken the liberty of emailing every single one of my friends who have complained about it or told me outlandish stories about how it wouldn't be cheaper to drive than a normal car. I would guess my overall average for miles per kWh is probably a bit under 4. But its been very cold here and I'm new to the car so my driving is probably improving. Also I burned a whole charge on the interstate once, which returned about 3 miles per kWh. So unless power is really expensive in your area, the Volt clearly smites its smiters.

I drove in "d" at all times when cruising at a constant speed or accelerating, and put the car in "l" when slowing or going downhill to avoid touching the brakes. I made numerous mistakes with this, as it was my first day of trying it out. I also had to accelerate full throttle one time to merge, and I had to brake very hard 2 times when another vehicle mysteriously just stopped for some reason when entering a roundabout. I had the radio on the entire time, on loudly at least 1/2 of the time, and the climate system on probably 1/2 of the time in "comfort" mode. Just to give some details. I used "normal" mode the whole time.

Two questions

1. Is that driving technique going to wear anything out in the car?
2. Is there a big thread on average miles per kWh that I just can't find somewhere?

I tried to upload a picture per the home page's request, no clue if it worked. Fairly computer illiterate here.

 

[saghost]

I drove in "d" at all times when cruising at a constant speed or accelerating, and put the car in "l" when slowing or going downhill to avoid touching the brakes. I made numerous mistakes with this, as it was my first day of trying it out. I also had to accelerate full throttle one time to merge, and I had to brake very hard 2 times when another vehicle mysteriously just stopped for reason when entering a roundabout. I had the radio on the entire time, on loudly at least 1/2 of the time, and the climate system on probably 1/2 of the time in "comfort" mode. Just to give some details. I used "normal" mode the whole time.

Two questions

1. Is that driving technique going to wear anything out in the car?
2. Is there a big thread on average miles per kWh that I just can't find somewhere?

I tried to upload a picture per the home page's request, no clue if it worked. Fairly computer illiterate here.

1.) No. (except maybe the shifter itself... ) Keep in mind there is no mechanical difference from D to L - the only thing it does is remap the throttle to include more regen. A lot of us are driving the car around in L most of the time - when combined with Sport it makes for a very eager car that is easy to drive in most any traffic, mostly with one pedal.

2.) There are several little threads on it, but no one main thread. The fact that the car doesn't show instant or average m/kWh and that the 2011 cars don't show kWh used may explain the lack - it takes more effort to figure out than some are ready to put in.

(your image attached fine.)

 

[Henry_FL]

I drive in low all the time and almost never have to even press the "brake" peddle, once your use to this, you will never want to drive any other way

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

1.) No. (except maybe the shifter itself... ) Keep in mind there is no mechanical difference from D to L - the only thing it does is remap the throttle to include more regen. A lot of us are driving the car around in L most of the time - when combined with Sport it makes for a very eager car that is easy to drive in most any traffic, mostly with one pedal.

2.) There are several little threads on it, but no one main thread. The fact that the car doesn't show instant or average m/kWh and that the 2011 cars don't show kWh used may explain the lack - it takes more effort to figure out than some are ready to put in.

(your image attached fine.)

Ok, so there is no difference in mileage when pushing the gas or cruising on the interstate for being in "L"? Sweet. Then I can spare myself the shifting.

I really wish the Volt reported EVERY stat. Report how many kWh you recovered, instant mileage, etc etc. Too bad.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

I drive in low all the time and almost never have to even press the "brake" peddle, once your use to this, you will never want to drive any other way

I agree, its an extremely pleasant way to go about slowing down. Makes for a very smooth, easy drive.

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

We should start a big thread on miles/kWh. If a mod or esteemed member of the forum would care to do so I'd appreciate it a great deal, and it would probably be a great set of info for shoppers and owners, and perhaps a little fun competition as well.

Also, much of the driving today was with my son, as it was taking his friends to and from our house and such. We got ALOT of positive nods and thumbs up and nobody flipped us off at all. Always fun. Getting flipped off isn't so bad either, at least its interesting.

 

[Matt979]

This information is what hopefully is going to spread.

I saw another poster make the statement that the Volt include a 70% discount card on gas. I think that sums it up easily for people. You pay about $10K extra to get a car lifetime 70% discount card on gas which for most people will be worth more than $10K.

You also send $10K to American Workers in Detroit instead of to OIL Barrons and various unsavory people.

The fact that the car is really fun to drive and has the latest tech is icing on the cake.

 

[tboult]

Today I drove 62.9 miles on 12.5 kWh, or 5.03 miles per kWh. Some quick calculations.
...
SNIP
.

Congrats 62.9 miles is very very good. How fast were you going? What about elevation changes? Tire pressure?

Not to question your data but that is almost unbelievable especially given you had climate on comfort for halt the time. (honoresitim did 72.9 miles on a charge so its possible. (http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?7993-72.9-Miles-on-One-Charge&highlight=72.9+miles)
So you could have done 62 with some climate, but the other things suggest your style was not super efficient (stops, agressive acceleration, etc). Any chance that its really 2 days worth of driving (with an incomplete charge it odes not reset miles so you can do 30 one day and 32 another and it will look like 62)

I use voltstats.net to track some data, and an android phone with Torque to track actual driving (can log battery state and GPS every seconds).

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

Congrats 62.9 miles is very very good. How fast were you going? What about elevation changes? Tire pressure?

Not to question your data but that is almost unbelievable especially given you had climate on comfort for halt the time. (honoresitim did 72.9 miles on a charge so its possible. (http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?7993-72.9-Miles-on-One-Charge&highlight=72.9+miles)
So you could have done 62 with some climate, but the other things suggest your style was not super efficient (stops, agressive acceleration, etc). Any chance that its really 2 days worth of driving (with an incomplete charge it odes not reset miles so you can do 30 one day and 32 another and it will look like 62)

I use voltstats.net to track some data, and an android phone with Torque to track actual driving (can log battery state and GPS every seconds).

It was a partial charge situation, not one single charge. I took a picture of the screen. Drove the neighbor's kid home as it was after dark so 0.4 more miles.

Guesstimate only: fully charged car at 10am for a drive of 20 miles, probably took half hour. Plugged it in when I got home and drove again at about 3:30 for probably an hour and 40 miles. It was nowhere near dead when that drive was over. Then a trip to the store sometime later. I'd guess at least 50 miles on that charge, but thats just a guess. 60 wouldn't have been totally out of the question, but I have no real idea. It was still just under 1/2 full at the end of the second drive.

Tire pressure is 34/35 up front and 32/37 in the rear sitting in my garage, not sure what it was while driving (slightly higher due to heat probably).

Elevation change would be a net of zero as each drive started and ended at home.

100% all today, but as I said it was a partial charge and I couldn't say with any accuracy how far I could have gone on one full charge.

100% in town driving speeds probably not more than 60, average speed limit perhaps 40-45? Some stop signs and lights and all. I probably wasn't accelerating quite at traffic speed, but close? But I wasn't driving like I used to in my Prius when I was hypermiling the Prius either, alot faster than that. Nobody honked at me, lol. I used to get honked at all the time in my Prius, I was one of "those guys" when I was driving that thing, always trying to get 60mpg from a full tank. My leaf ball was pretty happy right in the middle most of the time. My efficiency ring thingie at the end of the long drive was 95% or something? It was at 100% for a long time on that drive before the one of the two hard stops. I'm a pretty good hypermiler, due to my considerable practice in the Prius, if I may say.

It was about 50 deg F here today? So 1/2 the time I drove on "fan only".

That's all I've got.

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

This information is what hopefully is going to spread.

I saw another poster make the statement that the Volt include a 70% discount card on gas. I think that sums it up easily for people. You pay about $10K extra to get a car lifetime 70% discount card on gas which for most people will be worth more than $10K.

You also send $10K to American Workers in Detroit instead of to OIL Barrons and various unsavory people.

The fact that the car is really fun to drive and has the latest tech is icing on the cake.

Matt, I actually really, really hope that the Volt takes off because it will lead to competition among and development of better electric cars if it does. Every Prius driver with money should get a Volt, or I guess a Leaf, if they really want to help the world a bit. Get us closer to our destiny of gasless driving.

Plus, I am really looking forward to my future all-electric highway cars. I just have a feeling they are going to be incredible to ride down the road in.

I'm 100% all about sending that $10k to those workers and not some random dictators myself. All about it. Good call.

 

[RScott]

I really wish the Volt reported EVERY stat. Report how many kWh you recovered, instant mileage, etc etc. Too bad.

If you are really curious, the OBD2 port allows access to that type of data. Using a DashDAQ or custom software you can get the battery level, how much power is being used by the motors, power for a trip, even latitude/longitude/elevation.

 

[swapdmyvette4this]

Very interesting. Can anyone explain to me why the available miles is not always the same after recharging ? I usually show 37-38, once got a 39. Does it somehow adjust to your driving style ..ie, how much you mash the throttle ?
I will have to try the driving in low all the time. I have only used it for braking. Is there any upper limit such as on the freeway ?

 

[saghost]

Very interesting. Can anyone explain to me why the available miles is not always the same after recharging ? I usually show 37-38, once got a 39. Does it somehow adjust to your driving style ..ie, how much you mash the throttle ?
I will have to try the driving in low all the time. I have only used it for braking. Is there any upper limit such as on the freeway ?

Miles available is based on driving history - use less heat, drive slower or more efficiently, and it will trend upwards (it uses a fairly large history, so it may take a few days.)

There's no upper limit on L - mechanically it is exactly the same as D, and by using the brake pedal lightly you could get exactly the same behavior from the car in D if you wanted to (but don't two foot/left foot brake the Volt unless you're completely off the gas pedal first - that uses the friction brakes immediately, giving no regen.)

 

[tboult]

It was a partial charge situation, not one single charge. I took a picture of the screen. Drove the neighbor's kid home as it was after dark so 0.4 more miles.

Snip

Thanks for the added data. Still a good day!.

And we all hope this type of data gets around. I'm loving my Volt. For me a Prius would use > 10 gallons more per month. A leaf would have used 20 gallons more since August (since I'd have to take my wifes car on long trips). From 10/29/11 to 2/29/12 we drove 2740.46324 mi on 6.7 Gallons of Premium + 809kWh of wind power.
With total fuel costs of $72.08 that translates to 89.7 MPGe, 406 MPG and 38.01 MPF$ or $.0263/m

If you are not on voltstats.net and have not checked it out its great. I use it and frequently point people to it. When you talk about usage and can point to an automatically generated set of data over 3million miles of usage it become not just a 1-person statement, but hundreds.


You can probably increase your range/efficiency a bit by inflating your tires a bit. 2012's recommended pressure is, i believe. 38. I run at 42, some people push it to sidewall max which is I think 51. Harder tires roll better. People say its a harder ride, I don't notice it at all. Its trivial to do with your in-car inflator (just DO NOT insert goo.. and its good to know how to use the inflator so if you ever do need the goo your ready).


Looks like you measure kWh/mile via the car's display. Just FYI, there are charging losses and the EPA measures from the wall. Others may eventually challenge you on that (it reduces it a bit, just multiple by .8).

 

[Brandon]

Irony.... I was in the 60s for the first time yesterday too. Somewhere around 62-63 or so. Was not driving in L either, just regular D driving just paid close attention to keeping the magic ball centered. Makes me wonder what would have happened if I had been in L. I tend to NOT drive in L because the people around here are horrible drivers and, without me apply my brakes to let them know Im slowing down, I could foresee finding someones front bumper in my backseat.

 

[Brian Loves Cars]

Thanks for the added data. Still a good day!.

And we all hope this type of data gets around. I'm loving my Volt. For me a Prius would use > 10 gallons more per month. A leaf would have used 20 gallons more since August (since I'd have to take my wifes car on long trips). From 10/29/11 to 2/29/12 we drove 2740.46324 mi on 6.7 Gallons of Premium + 809kWh of wind power.
With total fuel costs of $72.08 that translates to 89.7 MPGe, 406 MPG and 38.01 MPF$ or $.0263/m

If you are not on voltstats.net and have not checked it out its great. I use it and frequently point people to it. When you talk about usage and can point to an automatically generated set of data over 3million miles of usage it become not just a 1-person statement, but hundreds.


You can probably increase your range/efficiency a bit by inflating your tires a bit. 2012's recommended pressure is, i believe. 38. I run at 42, some people push it to sidewall max which is I think 51. Harder tires roll better. People say its a harder ride, I don't notice it at all. Its trivial to do with your in-car inflator (just DO NOT insert goo.. and its good to know how to use the inflator so if you ever do need the goo your ready).


Looks like you measure kWh/mile via the car's display. Just FYI, there are charging losses and the EPA measures from the wall. Others may eventually challenge you on that (it reduces it a bit, just multiple by .8).

OK, good point about charge inefficiency. I'll see if any of my volt-lecturing friends catch on to that and address it if they do. I'll adjust future calculations for that.

Yesterday on the way to pick up the kids I noticed a really nice Jeep for sale, so I drove back today to check it out. Same route as yesterday by colder, as its morning. 43 degrees today -vs- 50-some yesterday.

Here's the data:

pulled out of the garage on a full charge with my predicted range at "36"
got to the jeep, checked it out, drove half way back
11.4 miles away having used 2.3 kWh and with a predicted range of 31
driving efficiency ring thing was at 100% when arriving at the jeep, I had the climate control off

So for now i'm pretty sure that I can drive this thing at about 5 miles per kWh at 40-55 degrees.

The last 1/2 of the way home I drove the car like I'd drive a sports car if I was trying to have fun. Carry as much speed as you dare to a turn, brake last minute and hard, carry as much speed as you can through the turn, once the car is pointed straight apply as much throttle as traction allows, so full throttle in the Volt. Then I'd just coast at 5mph over the posted speed limit at a steady speed. I slid my Volt slightly sideways once, overestimating its grip. It is just unreal how much better this car drives, rides, and handles than my Prius. Unbelievably better car.

 

[Prius2Volt]

How did you get 12.5 kWh out of the Volt? Mine refuses to give me more than 10.2-10.4 kW.

 

[RScott]

How did you get 12.5 kWh out of the Volt? Mine refuses to give me more than 10.2-10.4 kW.

I believe he is referring to the kWh put into the car (it takes about 12.5kWh from the wall to get the 10.2-10.4kWh into the car using 110V). Those of us with 2011s don't have a display showing the kWh used by the car.

 

[Bzzzt]

If you don't do a complete charge, I found the computer keeps 'adding up' charges, and doesn't reset the kwh used until you do a complete charge.

Was there another charge in the total? Gaining 2.5kw thru regen would seem a bit miraculous. But then, I'm in the flatlands, where there is no noticable 'free' charging gained by going downhill.

I was pumped this AM when I saw my gauge guesstimate 34 miles of range. That meter doesn't like cold and heater usage, that's for sure. I'll like to see what my gauge says now that we're getting into the 60s & 70s this week.

 

[ronmerkord]

One other factor to keep in mind is changes in elevation when driving. Just a slight downhill, almost imperceptible, can make an enormous difference in mileage. I like to keep my Garmin in the car, with its real time elevation readout, so that I can get a realistic idea of how my mileage is doing.