[TWong1200]

First post here. Not a Volt owner yet. Still doing lots of research. The first question that I have is...is there a Tonneau-style rear cargo cover available? I'm not a fan of the factory cover that just hovers over the top via for hooks. On my current cars (Prius and 4Runner), we have Tonneau-style pull cargo covers and they're so convenient.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jcanoe]

First post here. Not a Volt owner yet. Still doing lots of research. The first question that I have is...is there a Tonneau-style rear cargo cover available? I'm not a fan of the factory cover that just hovers over the top via for hooks. On my current cars (Prius and 4Runner), we have Tonneau-style pull cargo covers and they're so convenient.

Thanks in advance!

Not as far as I am aware but there is a Volt Shelf (fitted, fabric covered hard shelf) aftermarket accessory that is available for the Gen I and Gen II Volt.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

The POS (piece of spandex) that hooks in place over the rear cargo area does its job of hiding any contents. Once you get used to doing the connecting/disconnecting, it's not too hard to do. One advantage of the window shade cover used in the Prius is that the cover is automatically stored without effort (I know, I owned a 2010). The POS can be folded and stored in the Cargo Net accessory (be sure to order one) or left dangling from the two forward hooks. The other option for the Volt is to purchase a Volt Shelf that connects to the two forward hooks and is suspended via two cords to the hatch lid at its rear. When the hatch lid is closed, the Volt Shelf is horizontal, covering the cargo area. When the hatch lid is opened the Volt Shelf swings up with the hatch lid, exposing the cargo area.

Bear in mind, the Volt is classified as a Compact car, the Prius a Mid-Size car. But, don't let that be a show-stopper. Beyond that, the Volt is superior in roadability, economy, comfort and style. I owned a 2002 Prius and a 2010 Prius. I made two road trips in the 2010 and I have made two cross-country trips in my 2014 Volt. I averaged 50 mpg in the Prius and suffered a sore bottom and physical fatigue (from constantly correcting the steering to keep a straight line) at the end of each day of driving. The Volt seats are supportive and don't induce pains in the bottom or lumbar and the car tracks true and doesn't transmit bumps and road irregularities through the steering wheel. It's a heavy, solid car - a road car. In my last cross-country trip of 10,000 miles, I didn't bother to plug in to recharge the battery at night and relied on the onboard generator for the entire trip. I averaged 42.6 mpg. Had I been driving the Gen 2 version with its improved efficiency, I probably would have seen 46 to 47 mpg.

 

[quirkySquirt]

I like the Volt Shelf, but it's a bit too pricey for my wallet currently. I was hoping to jury rig a Tonneau-style shade using an actual shade from home depot or the like, cut to the width of the Volt's cargo area. I was thinking of securing the shade to the rear head rests' metal guides using really thick zip ties or something. Same goes for the edge you draw towards the rear of the Volt to cover your items: zip ties that loop through the rigid bottom edge of the shade that I can then hook onto those round pegs on the walls of the cargo area.

My alternative method was also to use some 3/4" rigid foam insulation, cover it in black felt carpet, place thick zip-ties at each of the eyelets where the Volt's cloth Piece Of Spandex attaches, and rest the rigid foam, carpet-covered shelf, on the zip ties. My thinking was the carpet would add enough weight that the shelf would stay in place. Plus side, the foam adds more insulation (heat and sound), but it's not much of a shelf. I was also thinking of adding a hinge/seam down the middle of the shelf so I could lift it out and fold it in half for stowage. This may require thicker rigid foam sheets like 1" so that when the shelf is resting on the zipties nubs, the thickness of the shelf would prevent it from collapsing down.

 

[TWong1200]

Thanks, everyone. That's what I thought as my research thus far, has not resulted in any Tonneau-style covers.

 

[bluzer1]

Thanks, everyone. That's what I thought as my research thus far, has not resulted in any Tonneau-style covers.

If you find one please post, I'd love to find one too.

The Volt Shelf looks and from all accounts sounds good, but between shipping and the $CDN exchange rate it's very expensive ($300+).

 

[Scarlett1]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for thinking of the VotlShelf in this discussion and for the positive comments about it. I've tried to keep the price as low as possible for the 3 years I've been making them, and while I think it is priced reasonably, I completely understand that everyone's wallets are under different pressures. And I also get that shipping and Canadian exchange can take its toll as well. Here is an offer that may help.

I'm not perfect. An occasional misstep or problem with a VoltShelf that I'm making causes one to be less than perfect. (Like the smooth black leatherette one that has my handprint in it.....But run the carpeted side up and no one will ever know.) Completely functional, but not just right. These pile up in a corner of the VoltShop until I get tired of looking at them and clean out the corner sometime in the summer. They sell for $120, shipped. If it helps, I can get into the corner and drag a few out now to see what we've got. I would rather see that happen and get a few of these orphans a good home than see you guys go to the extremes you are talking about here. If you are interested, shoot me an email with the year and interior color of your car and I'll see what I can find for you. I'm sorry I can't do anything about the Canadian exchange., but if you are anywhere close to the border at Niagara Falls, think about driving down to the VoltShop and picking yours up in Rochester, NY.

HTH,

Steve