It's not practical nor is it easy to use while driving. However, what I absolutely loathe is the touch-sensitive centre stack.
My particular 2013 Chevrolet Volt was rocking the full tuxedo look inside as well with the optional white-plastic inserts across the doors, dash and centre stack. It's inside where things get interesting. It's sophisticated, in a black tie (or bowtie, as the case may be) kind of way. From the outside, it's different enough to grab attention without being so over the top (read: i-MiEV) that people stare. Technology aside, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is a good looking car. Thankfully, my tester was kitted out to the nines (which also meant its price brushed the $50k mark) and had a backup camera. Visibility in the 2013 Chevrolet Volt could be good, if it wasn't for the ridiculously small rear window. Be warned: Pedestrians will not hear you coming in full EV mode. Small and compact it's a breeze to park and drive in a crowded downtown core. Speaking of the steering, piloting the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is actually quite enjoyable. When the gas motor turns on, it's not extremely audible, but there is a noticeable vibration in the throttle and the steering wheel. Again, like it wants to be normal, then remembers it's an EV. Braking feels soft at first, then stiffens up under harsher use. Acceleration is linear, but stunted, like it's holding itself back. While the Ford's regenerative braking was choppy and rough, and the LEAF's acceleration so smooth it was like greased butter, the Volt fell somewhere in between. When lined up against "pure" EVs like the Nissan LEAF and Ford Focus Electric (as we did for our EV Comparison Test), the 2013 Chevrolet Volt clearly offered something different. The driving dynamics of the car are almost as confusing as the technology behind it. If you spring for the 240V at-home filling station that time is cut in half and will take approximately 4 hours.ĭoes it drive like an EV or a gas-guzzler? That's shorter than most, but the range limit is also smaller than most. However, for the amount you're likely to use the gas motor, it'll be more like 1-2L/100km (at least, that's what I saw by the end of the week).Ĭharging times? Well, for a full charge on a standard home outlet (120V) it will take approximately 10 hours. If you run on the gas motor often, you'll see mileage similar to subcompacts on the road today: 4-5L/100km range. If and when that charge runs out, the 1.4L ECOTEC gas-powered generator keeps you on the road by backing up the batteries that are powering your wheels - in essence, acting as an electric power generator. With a long-life 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt can run in pure electric mode for 40-80 km.
This combination of battery and gas make up the Voltec Electric Drive Unit which uses two electric motors, three clutches and a planetary gear set.
It's an electric vehicle (or EV), and here's why: The electric motor drives the wheels which is why they can classify it as an EV, despite the gas tank. They called it an "extended range electric vehicle" - they still do today. So, I'll try my best to explain it all, but bear with me.Įven I was confused by this when I first learned of the Volt's engineering way back in 2007. I like to know how many cylinders it has, what the horsepower is, which wheels are being powered and with the 2013 Chevrolet Volt there's a lot more than pistons, spark plugs and drivetrains working beneath its futuristic shell.
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