I don't have a full analysis of such a situation but in my opinion I would have to say that the cost of operating a diesel over 5 years would likely be less than a Volt for 5 years with a battery replacement.
For one, the diesel should run well over 100,000 miles without needing more than regular maintenance (oil and fluid changes.) We don't know if a lithium ion would need to be replaced after 100,000 miles but assuming it does I'll assume a replacement cost of $5000.
The cost to operate the diesel would be $17,500 over 5 years with 100,000 miles. I assumed 40 miles per gallon fuel economy (2,500 gallons of diesel needed) at a cost of $6.00 per gallon. I also added $500 per year ($2,500 total) for maintenance.
If the Volt was solely run of battery and charged with electricity at a rate of $0.10 per kwh a 16kw battery would cost $1.60 to charge. This would go a distance of 40 miles. So 2,500 charge cycles would cost $4,000.
So based on these simple assumptions and numbers the Volt operating budget for 5 years with a battery replacement would cost $9,000. The diesel operation would cost $17,500.
Once, you factor in going beyond the Volts electric range and you start to operate the ICE you have to factor in fuel costs which would bring the operating costs much more in line with each other.
For one, the diesel should run well over 100,000 miles without needing more than regular maintenance (oil and fluid changes.) We don't know if a lithium ion would need to be replaced after 100,000 miles but assuming it does I'll assume a replacement cost of $5000.
The cost to operate the diesel would be $17,500 over 5 years with 100,000 miles. I assumed 40 miles per gallon fuel economy (2,500 gallons of diesel needed) at a cost of $6.00 per gallon. I also added $500 per year ($2,500 total) for maintenance.
If the Volt was solely run of battery and charged with electricity at a rate of $0.10 per kwh a 16kw battery would cost $1.60 to charge. This would go a distance of 40 miles. So 2,500 charge cycles would cost $4,000.
So based on these simple assumptions and numbers the Volt operating budget for 5 years with a battery replacement would cost $9,000. The diesel operation would cost $17,500.
Once, you factor in going beyond the Volts electric range and you start to operate the ICE you have to factor in fuel costs which would bring the operating costs much more in line with each other.
