[Rafaelcp09]

Need information about Volt reliability on tropic temp. 80°-95°f. Live in sunny Puerto Rico, don't know anybody that owns one. Have seen tons of videos of how the car behaves in US, but temp there range from 30°-70°. What have me almost purchasing one is the range extender, also the car is very user friendly, as per all the videos and reviews. What have me worried is how will behave in hot tropic temperatures. Also, if battery can be affected due to metro area traffic jams road high temperatures 100°-125°. Any comment, will be appreciated.

 

[jcanoe]

Need information about Volt reliability on tropic temp. 80°-95°f. Live in sunny Puerto Rico, don't know anybody that owns one. Have seen tons of videos of how the car behaves in US, but temp there range from 30°-70°. What have me almost purchasing one is the range extender, also the car is very user friendly, as per all the videos and reviews. What have me worried is how will behave in hot tropic temperatures. Also, if battery can be affected due to metro area traffic jams road high temperatures 100°-125°. Any comment, will be appreciated.

You should not have any issue with operating a Volt in tropical conditions. If you are going to leave the Volt in the sun, a car cover might be a good accessory to keep the Volt cool and the interior protected from sun damage. If you leave the Volt plugged in, should the ambient temp. rise to ~95F, the Volt may automatically turn on the engine compartment fan and the AC to cool the Volt's lithium battery pack. You can precondition the Volt using the MyChevrolet App or the key fob so you will never have to get into a hot cabin. You can park with the Volt turned on for up to 2.5 hours so passengers and pets can remain comfortable in the Volt's AC cooled cabin while you shop or even take in a drive in movie (any of those in Puerto Rico?)

I did experience excessive sensation of heat coming through the floor of the Volt. This was on a very warm day (for Washington DC) when the air temperature was 99F, the road temperature could have been above 130F, I can't be sure. I was using the carpeted floor mats that came with my Volt, once I installed the Huskyliners floor mats I never noticed the heat from the floor of the Volt's cabin again.

 

[JRRF]

Because they are not sold and serviced in Puerto Rico. The servicing being the key issue.

And not meaning any disrespect, but you should weight the benefit of a plug-in vehicle in PR if the electrical infrastructure is not yet up to par.

 

[Rafaelcp09]

That's the idea, that's what I like of the range ext. As per the infrastructure, sorry to say, another wack, no matter if hurracane category is low, and the island is black again.

 

[Mister Dave]

Someone call Raymond. I've just been told that there is a Chevy dealer selling Volts and Bolts. It's fair to assume they can service them.

So...... sure, go ahead and get one. The weather in PR can't be half as bad as Phoenix AZ, and folks have them there.

Electric power is your only issue, but it's a hybrid with its own generator. You can run it on gasoline any time you need or want to.

 

[jcanoe]

That's the idea, that's what I like of the range ext. As per the infrastructure, sorry to say, another wack, no matter if hurracane category is low, and the island is black again.

No range extender but I have read that the Nissan Leaf can power your home for a time if the power goes out (obviously not for days or weeks on end.) The Volt cannot power your home, even with the range extender, but some Volt owners have wired a 12V/110V power inverter to the 12V battery and have been able to run a small refrigerator, laptop and some LED lighting. A small generator could do this too.

 

[Mister Dave]

No range extender but I have read that the Nissan Leaf can power your home for a time if the power goes out (obviously not for days or weeks on end.) The Volt cannot power your home, even with the range extender, but some Volt owners have wired a 12V/110V power inverter to the 12V battery and have been able to run a small refrigerator, laptop and some LED lighting.

No electric car can power your home for any long duration. If you need a standby generator you should look at a dedicated system you can deal with. Keep the car ready to go get more fuel.

 

[Fred_B]

The electric A/C compressor in the Volt is pretty efficient, so using the A/C all the time does not hurt battery range as much as you might think. My Volt is in Houston and I usually get at least 42 miles on a charge with the A/C running all the time.

 

[Rafaelcp09]

Thanks to everyone!! As for the house, we are planning to go solar. Hopefully before the year ends. Hoping and praying no hurricane pass thru PR this year. Hurricane season started june until nov 30. So, all prayers are welcome.

 

[wws]

Someone call Raymond. I've just been told that there is a Chevy dealer selling Volts and Bolts. It's fair to assume they can service them.

So...... sure, go ahead and get one. The weather in PR can't be half as bad as Phoenix AZ, and folks have them there.

Electric power is your only issue, but it's a hybrid with its own generator. You can run it on gasoline any time you need or want to.

Where has Raymond been? I don't think we have heard from him since the hurricane(s) last year.

Rafael: Is the Chevy dealer in PR actually selling the Volt? Or are you going to import one?

 

[obermd]

Thanks to everyone!! As for the house, we are planning to go solar. Hopefully before the year ends. Hoping and praying no hurricane pass thru PR this year. Hurricane season started june until nov 30. So, all prayers are welcome.

Get enough power walls (Tesla or LG) to power your home for a week (7 full days) and put your panels on mounts that will allow you to remove them in preparation for a Hurricane. This way when the storm comes you can pull the panels in to protect them and keep your home powered until you can put the panels back up after the storm. You also won't be held at the mercy of the very obviously corrupt Puerto Rican power company.

 

[Rafaelcp09]

Yep, very true! Only one company giving the service. So everyone is at their mercy. Also, we live in an island, don't understand why government (from 30 years to present) haven't used sun and wind as alternative. Only from couple years we have a wind farm. So, I am making the change to sun.

 

[llninja]

Someone call Raymond. I've just been told that there is a Chevy dealer selling Volts and Bolts. It's fair to assume they can service them.

So...... sure, go ahead and get one. The weather in PR can't be half as bad as Phoenix AZ, and folks have them there.

Electric power is your only issue, but it's a hybrid with its own generator. You can run it on gasoline any time you need or want to.

I'm a little worried, we haven't heard from Raymond in a long, long time - since before the hurricane. Hope he's OK.

 

[Off Oil]

I'm on my 2nd Volt in Florida. There are no issues as it has a liquid cooled thermal management system. This will work regardless whether the car is on or not. If you can, the manual recommends leaving it plugged in while parked if the temp is 90+.

 

[Cord]

30 to 110 F here in North Texas but no salt air.
Nice thing about Volt charging is you only need 6 amps at 120 Volts ( with a different pilot signal)
and it will not throw a fit if power drops off and returns later.

 

[Mister Dave]

Where has Raymond been? I don't think we have heard from him since the hurricane(s) last year.

There is a belief that poster "Volt Fan" on the home page comments is Raymond. IIRC he's been seen on other sites as well.

 

[VoltenRock]

I prefer the Volt's operation in hot weather than in cold weather. You'll get well above the EPA rated range (60+ miles) without even thinking about it, and the A/C draws little power so you can keep cool without using up too much range. I would at least get a good tint on the windows and consider cloth seats, though, as the Volt does NOT have A/C cooled seats.

Finally, unlike a LEAF or other "passively-cooled" battery, your risk of battery degradation due to heat is slim. Even if you can't keep it plugged in regularly (although that's best), just starting the car will ensure that the battery cooling operations will proceed to keep the Li-ON happy.

Trust me, running the heat in ECO mode in 15 degree weather is very disappointing as I have to baby it just to get to 44 EV miles, but can be much less if on the highway.

Volt's LOVE warm weather!

 

[Ghost_5oh]

I live in Miami. Pretty much same exact weather as PR. No issues whatsoever with my Volt. Range is 55-60 miles on a full charge with the AC running. I have 5% tints so the interior stays really cool. With that and a sun shade there is no need for a car cover. Interior stays well protected with those 2 things.

 

[Barry]

One thing to be aware of is that the tires that come on the Volt are lightweight for lower rolling resistance. They may not be as durable as typical tires. In my experience driving on PR roads, there are plenty of rough spots and broken or uneven pavement that would be hard on tires. Also, the car does not come with a spare tire, although you can add one as an option, which I would highly recommend. You can of course choose more durable tires as replacements.