I just passed 1000 miles in my new Volt (1024 to be precise). I am still on my first tank of gas — I’ve used about 6 gallons so far, leaving a little more than 3 in the tank. 807 miles were all electric, and the remaining 217 were using gas — most of them driving out to Wickenburg to see Richard and Dianna a couple of weeks ago.
I am still in love with this car!
4 responses so far ↓
1 Don // Apr 21, 2012 at 9:55 pm
I read that in some areas a hybrid actually pollutes less than a Volt because the electricity comes from coal fired plants.
Of course most of yours comes from the sun or where ever the Phoenix electric company gets theirs.
They said in some areas a Volt pollutes about the same as a vehicle that gets 40 MPG while a Prius gets a bit better than that.
2 Daryl // Apr 22, 2012 at 3:52 pm
I guess that would depend on how the electricity is made. Like you said, in areas where they depend more on coal, it could well pollute more than burning gasoline does.
I have been getting almost all my electricity from the sun, but that is changing quickly as the days get hot (104 today).
SRP gets power from many sources, with about 50% from coal, 30% from natural gas, 10% nuclear, and the other 20% mostly renewable from hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal.
So depending on how good the scrubbers are on the coal burning plants the Volt may pollute more or less than a Prius.
But on the plus side, 100% of these sources of fuel are domestic and plentiful.
3 Donna // Apr 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm
In 2 years, I have 17,000 miles on my Accord. You are going to catch up to me at the rate you are going, which is more average miles per month than I drive. On the other hand, I’ve spent more to get those 17,000 than you will by the time you catch up.
4 Daryl // Apr 22, 2012 at 4:22 pm
But Donna I won’t be driving out to east Mesa every day as I have the past couple of weeks. I expect to drive fewer average miles after Mom is settled.