[Evan70]

Just bought a 2014 Volt for my wife. Premium trim with all options (Safety 1 & 2), silver with black interior, 39K miles with 163 lifetime MPG. Car is immaculate and looks and drives like brand new. We've been considering one for a while and we're very happy with the car. Drives very nice and while I'm a high HP car nut, it's kind of fun to drive. Decent acceleration, and fun to try and drive conservatively to see how long you can stay on battery. My wife will be using it as her daily, and likes to think she's offsetting my wastefulness (2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT as a daily and 91 Corvette ZR-1 as a weekend car).

Already looking at getting a level 2 charger, anybody have any experience with the Maxgreen units on Amazon? They have a level 2 for $239.

 

[hjeffwallace]

I bet you don't need the level 2. That's the beauty of the extended range. If you fall a couple of miles short, no worry. Burn a cup of gas. If you don't, it will start up the ICE a couple of times a year to remember how.

Put the money in a 401k, or window tint. Or tires. While you're at it, put another $100 on the ponies, since you won't change oil for a few years.

Congrats on an awesome car, especially with the premium package. It should come standard, but ...

Oh, and try the "sport setting" in "L" range.

 

[edk-austin]

Congrats. Just like my car. Which has been great since I bought it new. A bit of a learning curve, but mostly fun.

In 3.5 yrs, I don't think I've ever used a portable 240V cord away from home for Volt (although I do have one). If you're buying this EVSE for home use and have to install new 240V wiring, you probably want to make sure to upsize the wiring circuit to 50A (14-50 outlet). And if you're paying for that, you may want to consider the 32A EVSEs. While Volt will never draw more than 16A, my 3 yr old HCS-40 is now being used with our Bolt, delivering 32A. Once you get used to the faster charging, there's no going back!

 

[Fred_B]

I can recommend the Clipper Creek LCS-20 L2 charger (technically "EVSE"). Had one for 4 years with no problems. Charges at 240V, 16A, the maximum that the Volt can use. Cost is $379.

 

[MnVikes]

I bet you don't need the level 2. That's the beauty of the extended range. If you fall a couple of miles short, no worry. Burn a cup of gas. If you don't, it will start up the ICE a couple of times a year to remember how.

I say get the Level 2. Then your level 1 can stay in the car or maybe like me, it stays at my work in my private, secured parking spot. My level two install was cheap as my panel is in my garage and I just used the unused electric dryer breaker.

I can't tell you how many times on the weekends I've put 80-100 miles on the Volt by running errands in the AM, home for lunch, more stops in the afternoon, back home for dinner before heading out in the evening and the ICE never came on at all.

My ICE is mainly for out of town work trips and Winter use in MN. Even that use is going down now thanks to the MyVoltHold app.

Enjoy you new/used Volt.

 

[Evan70]

Oh, and try the "sport setting" in "L" range.

Yes, already tried those, and told the wife to drive it using L all the time, and explained why and what it's doing.

I say get the Level 2. Then your level 1 can stay in the car or maybe like me, it stays at my work in my private, secured parking spot. My level two install was cheap as my panel is in my garage and I just used the unused electric dryer breaker.

I can't tell you how many times on the weekends I've put 80-100 miles on the Volt by running errands in the AM, home for lunch, more stops in the afternoon, back home for dinner before heading out in the evening and the ICE never came on at all.

Yes, will definitely get the Level 2. It will be dedicate for home use, and like you my panel is in the garage. I have a friend who is an electrician, so install will be cheap. The situation you describe is exactly how my wife uses her car. Multiple short trips on the same day, so the L2 will give her much quicker recharge between trips allowing for lots more electric miles.

 

[jcanoe]

I can recommend the Clipper Creek LCS-20 L2 charger (technically "EVSE"). Had one for 4 years with no problems. Charges at 240V, 16A, the maximum that the Volt can use. Cost is $379.

I second the recommendation for the Clipper Creek LCS-20 Level 2 EVSE. The Clipper Creek EVSE comes with a 3 year warranty and the charging cord is 25 feet in length. My experience with Clipper Creek's customer service has been excellent. On some other brands of EVSE the warranty is only 1 - 2 years, the length of the charging cord may only be 20 feet unless you pay extra for a longer cord. Other brands of EVSE that are popular include Juicebox and Chargepoint. Chevrolet offers a Bosch Level 2 EVSE.