Why would you choose a Prius over a Chevy Volt?

Ian, why do you have 31.43 for electric miles driven for the Volt on the 100 mile trip?

 

do you guys think you're convincing the o/p one way or another? or is this just more bashing back and forth?

 

Good point. The engine warms up quicker than the older Prius, but still needs some time to warm up. I have read that if you start on electric and the weather isn't freezing, the engine does not rev as much as a standard Prius. However, if it is freezing, it may not use much EV mode at all and end up warming the engine for the first few miles, resulting in closer to 40 mpg on a 20 mile trip.

I compared that given that electricity becomes cheaper in winter but the Volt also uses much more per 100 miles. Volt then saves $.30 per trip. If this happens 100 days per year in a colder climate (than mine), we are talking about $30 / year for a 20 mile commute.

 

absolutely. with ease.

 

That is based on the EPA figure which is likely incorrect. Probably should be 30–33 kWh / 100 miles.

 

I am just trying to demonstrate that comparing the efficiency of those two vehicles is really silly. I would recommend buying one depending on how one feels driving the vehicle, not based on saving $100 per year.

That is, the difference in fuel between driving one of these and a regular car is in the hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. The difference between driving one efficient vehicle over another is in the tens to perhaps hundreds in certain use cases. I have read review before where people claimed they were "saving money on fuel in my (hybrid/EV X) compared to if I drove a (hybrid/EV Y)." I would contend those people either can't do math or don't want to because it would ruin their rosy outlook.

 

agreed. and i think most here would agree, there is just too much bashing of the 'other' vehicle.

 

The EPA range for the Volt is 38 miles, not 31.43.
The energy use the EPA uses (35kWh/100miles) is electricity use from the wall.
The range is determined by energy use from the battery.

If the PiP range is similarly figured, you should correct that as well.

This is not meant to "bash" but to give you an accurate spreadsheet.

 

You can't take results for your driving and imprint on others.
Your contention may be correct in some cases, but is definately not correct in all, as you seem to continually imply.

And the comparison shouldn't be to the most efficient hybrid out there. It should be to what the driver would be replacing.

 

Got it. Changed that up. This does change the calc by $10 or so per year in the different scenario.

I suppose I should really change the amount of charge used figure rather than making it charge available. That would probably add another $.15 per day.

 

I thought we were comparing PIP to Volt. Earlier in the thread, there was all sorts of talk about comparing the efficiency of either over some distance. I have seen these same comparison games all over these types of groups. My only contention here is that comparison is ridiculous since it is the equivalent cost of a floor mat.

 

I wasn't going to contribute to this thread but decided that maybe I should.
I recently made that choice......twice but not the plug-in variety.

Go here: GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Forum
and read through as many threads as you can; it is a VERY active forum.

While most Volt owners seem to be rabid about how they love their cars, my gut feeling is that there have been more frequent and serious problems with it than with the Prius line, especially given that there are a LOT fewer Volts on the road.

I ended up with a Prius C and a Ford Fusion Hybrid.
It is a highly subjective and personal choice and maybe should include trying to find out how good the dealership service is in your area between the two brands.

 

That's called blending, not counted as EV even though it is still using lots of plug-supplied electricity.

You picked up on a greenwashing effort, more information intended to undermine being spread. Always verify source. Here in Minnesota, I have lots of freezing data.

And EV is most definitely still available. I have video clearly showing my usual commute with temperatures in the negatives, below 0°F.

 

Thanks. Admittedly have no idea even though I know people with PiPs as the weather never gets that cold where I live.

And, even if that did happen: 10 cents. Not a big deal.

 

It takes awhile to figure out detail. There are so many different scenarios and each has a different behavior.

 

On the GM-Volt site, I've noticed that the most common complaints about problems are things you would pick up on if you physically examined the car instead of relying on a phone app. For example, the low coolant issue... I'm assuming nobody is looking at their actual coolant and instead trusting the computer to tell them. Same thing with tires. All these complaints about tires leads me to think people are just trusting the electronic tire pressure gauge.

 

I've always wondered how the Ford Fusion Hybrid does in the real world over several years....

 

It's simple. The Prius has the fewest disadvantages; like range anxiety, cramped interior space, unaffordable price tag, unreliability, sluggish performance and mediocre fuel economy.

 

Range anxiety and sluggish performance with the Volt?

 

I agree, for the scenario you tested for.
Try a 35 mile daily commute commute with one 200 mile trip per year with gasoline at $4/$4.20.