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Why Can't Other Plug-In Hybrids Copy Chevy Volt's All-Electric Running?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Mar 19, 2015.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    So today at 4ish on a Friday afternoon, I went to visit some network engineers to work a technical question and one of them asked me,"Who owns the Volt?"

    "I don't know." And we started talkin' cars.

    Saving $8,000, after tax dollars, since buying Prius 10 years ago.
    • Volt has liquid cooled battery, superior technology.
    • If a Prius fails while still working, I'll buy a used Leaf.
    • They volunteered a used Leaf is under $15,000.
    • Prius saves me two months car payment every year . . . even after being paid off.
    But I also pointed out, I replaced my working traction battery, an upgrade, for $1,700 and "it is part of the automatic transmission. Ever replace an automatic?"

    Now I am not going to run out and replace a perfectly good, 52 MPG Prius that fully meets my requirements. But that is not why I am posting this note.

    I am trying to suggest to former Prius owners who now drive Volt or EVs that the place to 'sell' their new technology is not here but in gasser and diesel forums. Use arguments that relate to existing gasser and diesel rides. Just realize Priuschatters are not all OCD about burning gas. We're just cheap with our dollars and depreciation is a bitch.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #501 bwilson4web, Apr 24, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2015
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why am i picturing dilbert?:cool:
     
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Going by the informal polls Zythren put up at other sights, the majority of Volt buyers are already coming from gassers. Some even SUVs and trucks.
     
  4. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    I agree and I'm totally in this camp!
    But at some point 'depreciation' hits us all.
    And living with an old-tech car is an intangible bummer. yolo....
    The sooner you start driving the cheapest new-tech $/mile cars,,,
    the sooner you start saving those dollars !
     
  5. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    In terms of 10 years of ownership, we are talking 2 generations of cars. The question is do you want the new tech.

    in terms of depreciation, even if a $33,000 car depreciated to $3000 at 10 years, this is only $250/month.

    Now that older car is going to need more expensive maintenance and repairs, unless you choose the new car poorly, or a much higher performance new car.

    Normally the new car's advances will make up for the depreciation over a 10 year period. You have to really want advances to go down to 3. Emotional attachment can keep people in a car longer. The average age of light vehicles was 11.4 years and there are many that don't buy new cars.

    For me my last car died, totalled in an accident at 9 years. Which made me make my choice for prius earlier than expected. I probably will trade this early @6 years for a i3, tesla 70d, or a gen II volt. I want to see how that volt turns out, both the i3 and volt get an extra texas $2500 which makes that tesla money $71K after federal tax credit for auto-pilot enabled car seem high. 3 year lease on a volt or i3 looks like a good idea to make it to the release of tesla model 3. I really don't need the extra space of the model S, and 6 seconds to 60 would be fine I don't need 5.2 seconds.

    For bob, I would wait until the leaf gen II, and outlander phev comes out next year. It sounds like the gen I prius will make it that long, and he may want to splurge on a new car if the tech is compelling. Who knows by then the gen IV prius will be out and it may blow us away.
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The only risk is losing this buyers' market. But the old RV needs to go to the recyclers.

    Bob Wilson
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at least the leaf can copy volts all electric running.;)
     
  8. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    With only 246 Volts sold in Australia, Holden not getting next-gen model
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they probably charge too much for them, as toy does in england.
     
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  10. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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  11. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    I wonder if the longer range makes a higher demand on the battery cooling system for an improved Leaf. At some point Nissan probably has to make a switch to liquid cooling and the earlier the better if there is a hard link between thermal operating range and new battery chemistry capabilities. There is some link but where the economic transition point occurs is unknown to me.
     
  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I think things are going to continue to be pretty rough saleswise for the Prius plugin for a couple years, maybe more. I guess someone would have to be quite bent on having more interior space to get the PiP as opposed to 50 miles EV. Don't people mainly buy plugin hybrids to EV as much as possible?
     
  13. Emcguy

    Emcguy Member

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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, they buy them for green stickers.:p

    btw, gen II plug in isn't that far out.;)
     
  15. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    Well, they just announced the price for the Gen 2 Volt:

    2016 Chevrolet Volt Starts At $33,995

    Was hoping it'd be lower, and it likely will with rebates/incentives. But if it was a little closer to $30k, I suspect it would have sold a lot more.

    Will be interesting to see if Gen 2 Volt will do better if the price isn't that much different than the Gen 1. Some people will only look at the price, despite everything else a car offers, and not everyone will qualify for the full $7500 (myself included, unless they revamp the tax credit so it can be used in more than one tax year), so this will probably hurt sales.

    Guess I'll wait to see what the Gen 2 Leaf/PiP and Tesla Model 3 will be like in terms of price/specs.
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's a pretty darn good price, and most people probably qualify for 10k bringing it to 24k? amazing. and that includes the $825. delivery which is pretty unusual.

    wow, i didn't realize there was an expectation of $29,995, that was pretty aggressive.

    love how the hate begins right from the first response.:rolleyes:

    i think if you wait for the buzz to wear off, you'll pick one up for 29k.
     
    #516 bisco, May 3, 2015
    Last edited: May 3, 2015
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  17. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Somewhere between 3-4 months. If gas prices weaken again, YEA. If they remain strong, wait to December-February.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    on the plus side, this should make gen I dirt cheap for a whole 'nuther group of newbies.(y)
     
  19. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    incredible marketing, good for them.