[RickCox]

The purchase of a new to us commuter car for my wife put us into a scramble to educate ourselves about the Chevy Volt. I went out to purchase a 2016 or newer 2nd generation used vehicle. Found more of the first generation at really good prices. Got one coming off a lease with 25k miles for 15K. Took it home. Now am being educated about charging sources etc. Southern California Edison rules and regulation etc. Now am looking for solar programs to dump big energy future prices. Volts performance has been great, but could use that 53 miles on Generation 2 Volts.
I am a newbie looking for all the ideas I can absorb. Glad to find a forum that is well populated.

 

[saghost]

Congrats!! Welcome. Be sure to have a look at Voltstats.net and think about adding your car. There is a lot to learn about your new Volt, which is very different from the average car in a lot of ways, including some you might not expect.

The most important thing, though, is not to worry. GM programmed the car to do a good job of taking care of itself and you.

It can be driven every day with no changes to driving style and no new things to worry about if you choose - or you can take advantage of the car's flexibility and your new knowledge to drive quite differently.

You do want to try driving in Sport and Low for a little while, too.

 

[Loiter]

Welcome!

I love the Volt and hope you enjoy your new car.

I'll echo above -- Low and Sport is the way to go!

Apps for your phone - PlugShare, Chargepoint, Greenlots -- places you can find chargers. We have a Level 2 (faster charger) about 2 blocks from our house that costs us nothing.

My wife drives to and from work using 0 gas and on free charger.

 

[RickCox]

Wow the Sport mode does make a performance difference. I have been using L to work on regeneration. I had stayed away from sport considering it should be more expensive to run. Things I had found since joining forum: Discussion on charging cords and extension cords, More charging units at 240 v for around $250, people with 89K with battery problems(2011), efficiency of new models vs gen I.

Question? Are there efficiencies detected between year models 2011 - 2015? List of correction ie bugs between models? I have been reading Faqs and general discussion forum.

Thanks for responses, Love my Volt.

 

[Loiter]

Wow the Sport mode does make a performance difference. I have been using L to work on regeneration. I had stayed away from sport considering it should be more expensive to run. Things I had found since joining forum: Discussion on charging cords and extension cords, More charging units at 240 v for around $250, people with 89K with battery problems(2011), efficiency of new models vs gen I.

Question? Are there efficiencies detected between year models 2011

You have a '14, you should be set. There were some changes made from the first couple years, but overall they were improvements (like a bit more range).

 

[RickCox]

Battery question? The car I purchased was a lease car. It appears it was 66% on electric and 34% on gas. First charges were taking it to full on 32 miles range. One month later it is going 39 or 40 miles range. Anyone have experience with similar charging?

 

[TSquare]

Your battery is growing nicely. Just keep it fed.
My 53 mile rated Gen 2 is currently showing 64 miles of range. If I stay off the interstate it will probably do better than 70 miles.

 

[Loiter]

Battery question? The car I purchased was a lease car. It appears it was 66% on electric and 34% on gas. First charges were taking it to full on 32 miles range. One month later it is going 39 or 40 miles range. Anyone have experience with similar charging?

It gives an estimate based on your previous driving - If you do a lot of freeway driving (70-80 mph) and blast heat/AC you'll see it drop significantly -- on the other hand, if the weather is nice, cruising at a lower speed, and easy on the acceleration, you can hit 50 miles (or more) with a Gen I.