1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2019 Chevy Volt to have nice upgrades

Discussion in 'Chevrolet Volt' started by Ashlem, Jun 28, 2018.

  1. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    754
    502
    0
    Location:
    WI
    Vehicle:
    2017 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    2019 Chevrolet Volt

    Aside from some new colors and moving a few things around inside like the wireless charging pad, it'll have some really nice things in it.

    - Power seat. Yes, many cars have this already, including higher trim Priuses. But the Volt always had manual seating, so this should be nice for people who wanted this feature.

    - 7.2 kW charging. The 2016-18 Volts capped out at 3.6 kW on a 240v charger. This means if you have an EVSE that can charge at that rate, you can fully recharge the Volt in a little over 2 hours now, vs the 4.5 hours it currently takes. This was also something Volt owners requested over and over.

    - ERDTT (Engine Running Due to Temperature) can be delayed until temps are -13 F/-25 C. The current thresholds are 35 degrees F/1 degree C, or you can set it to "deferred" which drops it to 15 degrees F/-9 C. This also annoyed some Volt owners because they could still have plenty of battery juice left, but the moment those temps dropped, ERDTT kicks in where the engine runs to assist in cabin heating. Which some folks who live in colder climated and wanted to stay in EV mode as long as possible hated.

    It seems like it'll still have the same size battery (18 kWh, of which about 14 kWh is usable), but with that faster charging, now people won't have to wait as long to recharge the battery in case they have lots of errands.
     
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Going out with a bang, or is it a reprieve?
     
  3. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    754
    502
    0
    Location:
    WI
    Vehicle:
    2017 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd say it's most likely anticipating for the tax credit expiring for GM within a year or so. If they didn't offer any substantial improvements, it's unlikely a lot of people would want to pay that much for the Volt without the tax credit.

    I just wonder if GM will also cut the price in anticipation of the credit expiring, and by how much. I doubt they'll just give us a straight $7500 price reduction when the credit expires.

    And more importantly, if there's a Gen 3 Volt, will it continue being on the same platform as the Cruze, or if GM will turn it into a crossover.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    or will they drop it in favor of another bev?
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,768
    16,017
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  6. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    754
    502
    0
    Location:
    WI
    Vehicle:
    2017 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't think they will. If anything, the Volt is likely a HALO car for GM, and they'll probably use things they learned building it to incorporate the Voltec system into GM's other vehicles. The Malibu hybrid that came out back in 2016 used a modified Voltec system, mostly by having a larger engine and a much smaller battery but doesn't have to be plugged in (not that it has a plug though).

    Much as many of us here want to see the end of gas cars, the reality is that they will be around for a long time, at least 2-3 more decades barring something drastic happening like a $20k EV that can go 300+ miles, takes 15 minutes to charge up, and can fit 5 people comfortably.

    So in the interim, I think plug-in hybrids will become more of a thing, if nothing else to meet emissions requirements around the globe, current US government claiming otherwise notwithstanding. Honestly, I'm eager to see plug-in SUV's and trucks that can do 30-50 miles on electric, then gets 35-50 mpg on gas.

    As long as it doesn't cost $10-15k more than the gas counterpart, I think they'd have a real winner there.
     
    LasVegasaurusRex likes this.
  7. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,567
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    2019 was a planned refresh year for the Gen II
    The GEN IV Prius will also get a refresh for 2019 if memory serves

    Gen III Volt is in name only and will sit on a SUV/CUV/Xover box
     
  8. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Well, if they go that route, there's plenty of used ones around.
     
  9. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd be interested to see the charging rate curve on the 7.2 kW.
     
  10. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm sure it'll be out there soon.