2017 Chevy Bolt at CES 2016

As to Camry hybrid sales, America is the land of cheap gas outside of the major oil producing ones, and while Toyota has gotten the hybrid system costs down, the gasoline price has gone down too. Then there are the people that want the V6. Ford sells the MKZ hybrid at the same base price as the entry ICE, a 2L DI turbo, but ICE sales still outnumber the hybrid because want the V6, with or without the AWD.

As long as a hybrid has an ICE sibling with a noticably lower price tag in the US, the hybrid sales will always be low until gas prices go up.

I had not considered the use of "Hill Hold" as part of the one pedal driving experience. I have found GM's system seemlessly implements on my Sonic, and had just assumed it was the same on the Bolt since how it works wasn't spelled out in the interview. I would think just automatically using the friction brakes for the job would be the KISS way since it is basically how it works on their ICE models instead of potentially powering the motor to keep it from spinning.

 

even at 4 and 5 dollar gas, they weren't spectacular, especially outside california.

 

In previous cars, I used to have to mash the brake pedal down to get Hill Assist to work. In the Volt it's a seamless operation. That's what I'm talking about.

 

That was a car generation ago, and less choices.

Works the same in the Sonic, and even the old HHR.

 

Yes I know, that would be like talking up 4x4 Diesel PUs here...and where did I bash EVs or the people that buy them? Not only did I actively try to get a Fit EV, I concede to and compliment those that can afford them and have lifestyles that accommodate. What I am saying though is this attempt by Chevy still falls short...though granted it is much cheaper the the Tesla S with comparable range. For the record, I am what is considered "well-to-do" by most, but come from very humble beginnings. I even seriously looked into the Tesla S, but it's still is not practical and still would have been just another toy in my stable...just like the proposed Bolt...and stephane feel free to relieve yourself, I get quite the chuckle reading posts here as well when the Koolaid is being poured. Buy your toys...I do, but don't try to convince me or the guy working at 7-11 that EVs are as yet practical or affordable to the masses.

 

I too have said in the past I would love to buy an EV, but there are many, many people just like me who live in townhouses or Apartments or condos with no place to charge a potential EV car. Not that we don't want one its that our living arrangements simply do not allow for it.

So simply stated Ev's just will not work for a lot of folks even ones that want it...


Maybe once The quick charger network is in full force and it is as readily available as the gas station network then maybe we could all benefit..

 

Yes, the i3 has extremely strong regen once you left off the accelerator. AFAIK, that behavior can't be disabled either. (I've test driven the i3 at least 5x.)

Tesla Roadster I heard also had very strong regen once you were off the go pedal, to the point where the brake lights would always engage when you did that.

 

Not always.
The brake lights in the Roadster and Model S were triggered by an accelerometer.
I am not sure what the threshold is, but this was done so the brakes wouldn't light every time regen started kicking in.

 

Or work to get the state regulations or HOA(home owner association) rules changed to support plug in car charging. If your townhome has a garage or even just a dedicated parking spot, there is no reason beyond petty neighbors and power hungry HOA councils to not allow the home owner to install a charger.

Was just talking to friends yesterday about their HOAs.

That said, plug ins don't have to work for everyone in the US to have a positive impact on our energy use and emissions. Made up road blocks like HOAs need to be addressed, but there is still a sizable number of people that plug ins will work for, and increasing the BEV range will increase that number.