The Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), uniquely blends electric and gasoline power. With an EPA-estimated 53 miles of electric range and over 300 miles of total range thanks to its gasoline generator, the Volt offers the best of both worlds. It prioritizes electric driving for daily commutes and switches to gasoline for longer journeys. The transition between electric and gas is designed to be seamless, happening unnoticed while you drive.
For my household, the Chevy Volt’s impressive electric range for a PHEV was a major selling point. My wife’s 40-mile daily commute could be handled entirely on electric power, with extra range for local errands. This meant we could operate primarily on battery power for most of our driving needs, reserving gasoline for out-of-town trips. This driving pattern aligns perfectly with how General Motors envisioned Volt usage, even suggesting in marketing campaigns that drivers might only need to refuel every 1,200 miles. While real-world figures vary, our experience closely mirrored this claim.
Mostly Trouble-Free Chevy Volt Ownership
Over three years and 50,000 miles, our Chevy Volt ownership has been overwhelmingly positive in terms of reliability. We only had to take the Volt to the service shop four times. Three of these visits were for warranty or recall repairs, fully covered by Chevrolet, and one was for a tire repair that was, admittedly, our fault.
Only one warranty repair required an extended stay at the dealership, and Chevrolet provided us with a loaner vehicle, ensuring minimal disruption to our routine. Beyond these minor issues, routine maintenance has been remarkably minimal. I’ve replaced the cabin air filter once. An oil change and oil filter replacement were covered under a complimentary 24-month maintenance plan provided at the time of purchase. Tire rotations, performed every 7,500 miles at a local tire shop, were also free. In total, our out-of-pocket maintenance expenses amounted to a mere $14.
Looking at the recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual, the next 50,000 miles are projected to be similarly low-maintenance. This reduced maintenance is a significant advantage of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt.
The Changing Perception of Gas Stations
One unexpected shift with Chevy Volt ownership was how gas stations became less relevant. Unlike all-electric vehicles such as the Chevy Bolt EV or Tesla Model 3, the Volt isn’t fully electric. However, its substantial electric range drastically reduces the need for gasoline. With most charging done at home and a 53-mile electric range, refueling became infrequent, primarily reserved for longer trips outside our local area.
Most days, we simply plugged in the Volt at home after work and woke up to a fully charged battery. The electric range easily covered our daily driving needs.
When those longer trips requiring gasoline did occur, visiting a gas station felt like a slight inconvenience. We had grown accustomed to the EV charging model, which isn’t a dedicated stop. While charging takes longer than refueling with gasoline, it doesn’t require you to just stand there. You can run errands, use facilities, or simply relax. This contrasts with the traditional gas station stop, designed for a quick 5-10 minute fuel-up and then getting back on the road. This change in refueling habits became a noticeable aspect of Volt ownership.
Charging Infrastructure and Options
Charging the Chevy Volt mainly happened at home, overnight. Initially, we used a standard 120-volt outlet. This Level 1 charging method took around 12 hours for a full charge and provided approximately 4 miles of range per hour. As renters at the time, we discussed the increased electricity usage with our landlord and agreed on a small, fixed fee to cover the extra cost, preventing unexpected rent increases. For renters considering EVs, there are various ways to manage charging – research is key to finding the best approach for your situation.
After purchasing a home, we installed a 240-volt outlet in our garage. Utilizing a Level 2 charger (required for 240V outlets), charging time dropped to about 4 hours, providing around 10 miles of range per hour. Public charging stations were also occasionally used, located via the Plugshare app. Many public stations offered free charging, and even paid stations were often comparable to or cheaper than gasoline costs.
The convenience of charging while doing other things, like grocery shopping at stores with charging stations, was a significant perk. Overall, home charging, whether Level 1 or Level 2, proved to be significantly cheaper than gasoline – roughly a third of the cost. This lower operating cost is a major benefit of electric vehicles.
Insights from Voltstats
Voltstats.net is a website dedicated to tracking data for Chevy Volts. By connecting your Volt, you can access a wealth of information, including daily and cumulative stats on electric miles vs. total miles, MPG vs. MPGe, and even compare your Volt’s performance to others on leaderboards.
According to Voltstats, our Volt has covered 50,175 miles, with 30,329 of those miles driven on electric power – that’s 60% electric miles. Looking at the leaderboards, some Volts have exceeded 300,000 miles, with around 100,000 of those being electric miles. This data eased my initial concerns about battery longevity. Researching Volt owner experiences revealed many examples of Volts with high mileage on their original batteries, both in electric and total miles.
Volt vs. Bolt and the Evolving EV Landscape
The Chevy Bolt EV, Chevrolet’s all-electric counterpart to the Volt, boasts a larger battery and a longer all-electric range (around 259 miles). When we were initially car shopping, the Volt and Bolt were our top contenders. Ultimately, we chose the Volt for two primary reasons.
First, the Volt was more affordable. After factoring in EV tax credits and rebates, our net cost for the Volt was approximately $25,000, while the Bolt would have been closer to $30,000. While gasoline is more expensive than electricity per mile, the infrequent gas usage in the Volt made it difficult to justify the upfront cost difference in the Bolt over the long term.
Second, in 2017, public DC Fast Charging infrastructure was not as developed as it is today. DC Fast Charging (DCFC), or Level 3 charging, is crucial for long-distance travel in all-electric cars. While it can charge a Bolt in about an hour, DCFC stations were less common then. Networks like Electrify America, which significantly expanded DCFC availability, were not yet established. In 2017, relying solely on an EV like the Bolt for longer trips to visit family would have been challenging. The Volt’s gasoline backup provided peace of mind for longer journeys.
Chevy Volt Reviews: Final Verdict
After three years and 50,000 miles, my Chevy Volt experience has made me a firm believer in electric vehicles. Even as a plug-in hybrid, not a full EV, I find myself consistently preferring electric driving whenever possible. While the Chevy Volt was sadly discontinued in 2019 as GM shifts focus to all-electric models like the Bolt EUV, Cadillac Lyriq, and GMC Hummer EV, it remains a compelling option on the used car market.
For those seeking a vehicle similar to the Volt, exploring other PHEVs with significant electric range is recommended. The Volt was a leader in PHEV electric range, and comparable options exist.
If I were making the decision again in 2017, I would likely still choose the Volt. The DC Fast Charging network was less robust, and my budget was around $25,000. Today, the EV landscape is vastly different. There’s a wider selection of EVs (both BEVs and PHEVs), and charging infrastructure has grown exponentially. There has truly never been a better time to transition to electric driving.
