Prius Plug-in and Volt Pros and Cons

Yeah, had to make sure to add a little flavor to the photo!

 

Don't taste just like chicken.

 

There is nothing wrong with asking questions.
What I object to is phrasing your questions, such that they imply a unsupported conclusion.

For example, in your post about superchargers you stated:

This wasn't phrased as a question as much as a warning.
Which, is terribly misleading as there are many options for other charging methods.

Your headlight lithium a are most likely not the rechargeable kind.
All rechargeable lithium batteries degrade over time.

Time will be the final judge over how well the battery packs last, but it is not the only indication.
Tests can be done to rapidly charge and discharge batteries very quickly.
1C to 1.5C is actually very gentle. Most fast chargers charge at least 2C.

The biggest issues with rechargeable batteries is time, number of cycles, depth of cycle and temperature.
Tesla's packs have some of the best temperature management around as that is what they have the most control over.

No, you can't replace them yourself. These are specially made automotive class batteries. Not available at Target or Wallmart
Besides, I wouldn't want to try to remove the battery pack, open it up, remove a module, the remove a cell from the module and put it all together again.

 

Didn't sound like a road trip to me; sounds like he did what was necessary to get it home, at which point he probably knows that he'll be able to do a huge proportion of his regular driving well within range, and driving a vehicle that is an experience like nothing else available right now. Also, knowing that Tesla generally delivers their vehicle to the buyer, he likely chose to make that trip as part of the receiving experience. You know, like people who order European delivery and have to go all the way to Europe and maybe even drive their new cars a bit before taking them home. You might have learned something if you hadn't assumed you knew everything of importance and walked away.

Just like the Tesla isn't the ideal vehicle for every situation, your Volt certainly isn't ideal for those long road trips where the engine drones on endlessly while consuming premium fuel at a relatively high rate. A diesel would be far more pleasant for that kind of driving, yet who are we to question your preference?

 

We have a 2014 Volt we purchased in Oct. 2013. We have well over 8,000 miles and a 165 mpg lifetime average. The electricity cost to drive 100 miles is less than $4.00. We just took a ride, my wife and stepson, to
Astoria and then Costco. 41 mile round trip and we still had 9 miles of battery range left when we returned home.

The PIP just doesn't have the electric range, and requires engine power at times even when fully charged this is the main reason I purchased the Volt. We still have our 2010 Prius which is now my car, my wife has the Volt...

 

Yes, it can.
And for other people, the shorter range Leaf, Miev, etc are their only car.

Listen, I'm glad the Volt meets all your needs. Why do you insist that other vehicles, such as the Model S can't meet all of my needs.

 

And again, when "anywhere" is further than 40 miles, enjoy that significantly sub-Prius fuel efficiency using premium fuel.

 

My father has epitomized this ethic my entire life - driving 40-50k miles/year for as long as I can remember, preferring driving to flying, and making on average one cross country trip per year. His latest car? A Tesla that he intends to drive cross country, and he is finding that the little range anxiety he may have thought he'd have isn't being realized. Surprising but there is electric most everywhere one looks in this country. Further, changing how one thinks about travel plans isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just forces you into having a different experience.

 

You can't go anywhere anytime with your Volt.
For example, you can't drive your Volt to Hawaii.
I am guessing though, that you could care less about driving to Hawaii. Thus, not an issue in your buying decision.
I am traveling to a larger variety of places with my EV than I have with my Volt or Prius.

 

Serious question for you.
This is purely hypothetical, as there is no car that does this.
Would you buy, for the same money, Prius A or B:

Prius A - The car starts everyday (magically) with 50 miles of free gas, but only has a 6 gallon tank and only gets 35mpg after those free miles.

Prius B - The car gets 50mpg at all times.

For me, I would rather have Prius A

 

Thank you.

I wouldn't either, however, if I am going to the library anyways...

Absolutely! I have recently been to LaCrosse Wi and am preparing to take a driving vacation to Southern California as well as some scenery in Utah, and Arizona. Shorter stops planned at other locations. I haven't been on a vacation outside of the state in a decade. Should be fun.

I am sure most couples do, although I know of others (such as myself) that only drive electric.

 

Well, there's no such thing as "free" gas or "magic." So I'd rather have a reliable, tangible vehicle that exists.

 

Just as a hypothetical.
I'm not asking you to invest in it or anything.

 

But quite unrealistic for the masses.

COST is still a major obstacle.