Volt vs. Prius: Which Will Be Cheaper to Drive?

Never say never. It is entirely possible with efficient power electronics (which as far as we know the volt has) and a very well designed genset (ice/generator combo) that a series hybrid could beat the Prius.

We do not know how good the genset in the Volt is. It will probably be similar in efficiency to the Prius, with a net overall mpg of about 50.

Imagine an genset with just air cooling and high operating temp, totally optimized for running at just one speed the most efficient one. Its not going to be in the Volt but it is possible and it will have a higher therodynamic efficiency then the Prius gas engine.

 

That's not correct for Prius. Prius has two paths that the PSD split.

ICE -> PSD->G->M/shaft (Electrical path)
ICE -> PSD->shaft/M (Mechanical path)

Both paths meet at the same shaft. The amount of power that goes to either path depends on the speed of the generator (G). If the RPM of the generator is near max (hard acceleration needing torque) then the electrical path is dominant. If the RPM of the generator is near zero (highway cruising) then the mechanical path is dominant.

 

This is not true. When the ICE is on it will provide a voltage to an electrical bus. That same bus will be connected to the battery and to the drive motors. Current will flow from higher voltage to lower voltage (and of course voltage sensors, a computer and voltage regulators will actively control all of this).

With the ICE on, current will flow from the ICE to the battery and to the motors OR current will flow from the ICE to the motor and at the same time current can flow from the battery to the motors.

3PriusMike

 

Right, that's how Prius and other hybirds work. A combination of power from ICE and battery are used to power the car.

Therefore, Volt is a hybrid; not an electric car. GM can't have it both ways.

 

I don't think so. According to the video, the ICE will charge the battery ONLY when it has dropped below some set point. Clearly that set point allows for the battery to be used below that point if the ICE isn't generating enough power for a current need. Probably why they say 8 kWh for 40 miles when the battery holds 16 kWh. So you drive to EV 'empty', the ICE kicks on to power the electric motor. If it needs help, the battery is used. When the demand relaxes, the ICE charges the battery TO the set point but no further. Actually, it would be nice if the owner/driver had a choice to bypass that stop. What if you were heading for the Rockies? You would want to have a full battery to assist that climb to Angel Pass on I-70 in Colorado. Just shy of 12,000 feet and a pretty darned steep climb.

 

You could have drastically different experiences, yes. But in theory they're working very hard to make it seamless. And as others have said, the car will be electric drive 100% of the time.

How about the war/loss of life/health of the planet cost of driving a possibly cheaper gas car? I find it hard to swallow the cost of burning gasoline in general. The cost we don't pay at the pump or dealership. The cost that most folks just ignore.

You're in luck! The solution has existed for... uh... aobut 16 years now. We've had fast charging since we've had production EVs. This is not rocket science. The bad news is not the time it takes the charge - the bad news is that there are no cars to buy.

If that is the most important thing (ignoring all costs mentioned above) then gasoline is the ticket.

This, I'm going to guess, is because you've never owned a plug-in car. Since driving my first EV in 1996, I've been desperately trying to buy cars that don't require me to put gas in. Putting gas in a car is a big ol' PITA. This from somebody who's had lots of experience with both, mind you.

Our EV is our main car. An EV fills the niche of providing the most efficient *and convenient* transportation for about 80% of the trips that Americans take. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

These questions have been answered hundreds of times. None of this is rocket science. All of it is easier and cheaper than when we rolled out the gasoline infrastructure 100 yeras ago. When gas cars came onto the scene there were no gas stations! Amazing. And look where we are now. Of course there are millions more electrical outlets than gas stations still...

 

I agree and have said that the Volt is a hybrid and GM is just using marketing there (to try to make it appear to be a better choice) but due to it being a serial hybrid it also CAN function as an electric car. If you drive less ten 40 miles at a time and charge to full it is an electric car. Its also still a hybrid, with a serial hybrid it can be both at once.

 

The PHEV Prius (2012?) will be more cost effective to operate. Toyota will have a 15+year experience record whereas Volt is just starting and lacks history & experience. Chevy had an opportunity to showcase the Volt in a Frontline special program. They rolled out the Volt. It would not go up hill, then only operated at slow speed, then finally died.

 

Graham Davies:

 

I would not invest in a Chevy Volt even if it would make a lot of sense financially compared to my 2010 Prius. Reliability can be improved (Ford and Hyundai are proving this) but it is a long slow process. GM is not nearly close to a comfortable reliability standard in my opinion.

Now, the Nissan Leaf is a whole different story. Based on what we know right now, the Leaf would be the natural replacement for my 2010 Prius in 4 years from now because it will make a lot of sense for me, but that's a lot of time too… we don't know what other options we are going to have by that time....

 

Volt vs. Prius: Which Will Be Cheaper to Drive?
Stupid question
The volt is free to own and drive, in your dreams.
To incure a cost a car needs to exist.