Why would you choose a Prius over a Chevy Volt?

But HOV Stickers would help a lot lol. Still probably not worth it, but it's still stuck in my head.

 

This is not about my experience or someone else's experience.
My point about using the (EPA?) 3.4 kwh per charge is that it is the wrong number. You can't use the 3.4 kwh per charge value, but then use only the miles traveled in EV...the EV-only portion is based on ~2.7 - 3 kwh of the entire 3.4 kwh charge. The other portion is used in HV mode. It might be a bit of a subtle point...but for the PIP it represents a relative large portion of the whole charge. For cars with a bigger battery it would be a smaller and smaller portion.

Mike

 

Ah, my mistake. So is the battery size 3.4kWh, but the accessible portion is less?
For all cars, it would be important to use the right numbers in the right places.
If he is using an incorrect calculation, such as EPA range divided by Battery Size to get efficiency, that would lead to incorrect result. And you are absolutely correct, for the PiP that would lead to larger errors.
I'm just not sure if the calculations are off or just the number labels.

 

2.75 kWh is consumed to recharge the battery-pack. That plug-supplied value is what should be used in calculations.

 

Okay. With 2.75 kWh to charge and 11 miles on battery for 20 miles in Vancouver, BC electric and gas prices (converted to USD), the Volt fuel is cheaper by $.33/day, $120/year. 40 miles is $1.76/642, break even point is about 83 miles.

 

I am not sure that there is such a thing as a "Perfect" car... and I did not mean to upset others by stating what was in a 2014 brochure put out by GM. I am happy that they are doing better than that, as thanks to the people talking in here, it may become the replacement vehicle for my wife in SWFL in a year or so, if we can find a CPO one at the time.... Thanks

 

Wrong about Volt back seats. They do fold down, and the center armrest is also removable. I've personally folded them down at a dealer. With seats down, a full size bicycle will fit without removing the front wheel. (Ability to carry a bike is a necessity for me). I am currently considering a used Volt or Prius to replace my Leaf when the lease is up. Electricity in my area is about $.08/kwh. I drive my Leaf 1000 miles on $20 of electricity. My typical commute would give me almost all EV in a Volt, which would return a mpg figure over 100 mpg. Not to mention the Volt is a flat-out blast to drive! And it looks cool!

 

that's amazing on the electricity - isn't there another charge associated ? they call it a delivery charge out here and it almost equals the electricity charge making our total bill rate at 18 cents / kWh

If not an extended range car is a no brainer for you vs others like our CA friends who's electric is so high they pay the equivalent of $2 gas

 

Different utilities bill differently.
Ours, for example, charges a flat delivery charge.
We have other taxes and fees, some flat, some rated.

Our TOU charging costs us about $0.06/kWh.
The utility was more than happy to give us a low overnight rate to help insure we wouldn't be charging during peak hours.

 

Washington state historically has had low rates due to much hydroelectric generation.

 

Yes we are in NE Wa and power rates are low. Of course now that I WANT to see my bill, it has been burned after payment! The rates go up as more power is used, and start out less than .08/kwh. When I first got my Leaf however, the bill went up about $20/mo. For 1000 miles that equates to .08/kwh. It makes commuting in an EV very affordable here.

Unfortunately, public charging is non-existent, unless you consider RV parks. That requires carrying my charging dock around, and an adaptor cord, which is not practical. I did take one trip to Seattle in my Leaf a year ago. 16 hours for a 330 mi. trip, range anxiety all the way! And now the QC stations are no longer free, it costs $7.50 per session.

The points made in this thread have been quite informative. From a practical and economical point of view, a good used Prius would win out over the Volt. But after driving my Leaf for 17000 silent, gas-free, torque-filled miles, I'm hooked on EV's.