Demand for the Chevy Volt Spikes in California
Will the car reach a tipping point in one of the nation's most important markets despite a recent halt in production and widespread criticism?
By Claire_Martin Jun 5, 2012 10:30AM
General Motors' announcement earlier this year that it would temporarily cease production of its extended-range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, sounded like a potential death knell for the already beleaguered car. But now, just weeks after the five-week work stoppage at Volt plants, California drivers are clamoring for the Volt and dealerships are sold out.The reasons for the Volt's sudden popularity in the Golden State are region-specific: Gas prices continue to hover above $4 per gallon and state incentives for electric cars include a $1,500 rebate -- that's in addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit -- along with driving privileges in car-pool lanes that are otherwise reserved for multiple-occupant vehicles. But since California tends to be an automotive proving ground, particularly for alternative vehicles, if current demand continues it could help put the Volt on stronger footing overall.
"It is crucial that the Volt performs well [in California]," Thomas Libby, an analyst with automotive research firm Polk, told the Detroit Free Press. "Volt's success there says that Volt is indeed an environmentally advanced and friendly vehicle."
Electric vehicles still comprise a tiny fraction of the automotive market, and U.S. Volt sales are modest, numbering just 1,680 in May. But California saw many more new Volt registrations in the first quarter of 2012 than any other state. The car is most popular with drivers living in traffic-clogged cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and dealers in those areas have been scrambling to meet demand by buying Volts from out of state.
"I've had more people talk to me in the last couple months about the Volt than I have in the last year," Bill Cumming, general manager of a Chevrolet dealership in a San Diego suburb, told the Detroit News. "Currently, I have none in stock." According to GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho, "We sold everything we had out [in California], basically."
The true test for the Volt will be whether demand continues once inventories are restored and the blip in production is a thing of the past.
312Comments
Jun 6, 2012 3:29AM
It does not matter if you believe in global warming or global cooling. It does not matter if you believe climate change is man made, natural, or not happening at all. The fact is there are over a billion Chinese and another billion Indians that want to have cars and highways like we do. And there is no stopping them if we tried. Want Ameica wants is cheap reliable transportation. It doesn't matter if it is powered by gasoline or used diapers. There right now is enough refined gasoline in the USA that we are exporting it. That is not a conspiracy, that's business. Want to drive to work cheap? Have some cars powered by gasoline, others electric, some natural gas, and others sugar based ethanol. Diversify the energy so that it is truly competitive. All that technology exists now and will get better with m****duction. Don't be silly and think that another well, or pipeline, or refinery is going to solve the problem.
Jun 6, 2012 4:04AM
The stupidity of Americans is unbelievable!!!! My sister owns a Volt, what an amazing car!! Definitely will be buying one myself. I see some of the retards on here complaining about Chinese batteries, built overseas...blah blah blah!!! Everything you own has some degree of Chinese/foreign made components!!! So why don't you hypocrites stop using your TVs, refrigerators, washers, dryers, computers, ipads, ipods, iphones... the list is ENDLESS!!! Of course you won't.... why.... you're full of sheet hypocrites!!!!
And then you have the clueless people that think because your "Honda" or some other foreign car was built in America it somehow makes it OK. Profits for those cars go to FOREIGN countries economies!!!
I love the statement below about Nissan being French owed... but Americans will buy Nissans like they're going out of style... but they renamed French Fries into Freedom Fries!!!! HYPOCRITES!
I love being an American... but I'm embarrassed by my fellow countrymen... we're a joke to the rest of the world.
Jun 6, 2012 5:12AM
I happen to own a VOLT for those of you who criticize the car and don't own one. I went from driving a Tahoe and spending $100 a week on gas to spending $26 a month on gas and $1 a day for electric. The VOLT is fast, it handles well, sporty looking. I am approached daily and asked many questions about how I like my car. I give those people a lot of credit for asking me rather than criticizing the technology. By the time I'm done going over the car with them they are figuring out a way to buy one as their next vehcile.
Jun 6, 2012 6:06AM
To all the Volt haters, posting inaccurate and asinine comments:
Here are actual facts:
I traded in my 2006 Lexus IS 250 for a Chevy Volt on 1/17/12.
Since then, I have driven the Volt for slightly more than 5,100 miles. In March 2012, I had a rapid 240v charger installed at my home in Houston, TX, for a total out-of-pocket cost of $163, which cuts my charging time down by 60%, which was due to a $225 permit charge from the City of Houston. The DOE rebate covered the entire cost of the charger, the home installation, and part of the cost of the permit.
During those 5,100 miles driven, I have made 3 out-of-town trips. Two were approximately 220 miles round trip, and the third was 130 miles round trip. Since I purchased the vehicle in January, I have spent $45.64 on Premium Unleaded gasoline. Over the time I have owned this vehicle, that averages out to more than 200 miles per gallon of gasoline used. Yes, the Volt requires Premium, and that is all that I have put in it.
As I previously mentioned, I installed the high-tech 240v rapid charger from Blink, which is connected to my home WiFi, and generates a number of reports. For the months of April and May, I paid approximately $1 per day in electricity for car charging. For April, it cost $30.47 and for May, charging cost $30.82. (I did not include March's numbers, as they would actually skew my cost lower, because I went on vacation for 10 days.) I presently am paying $0.095 per Kwh with Tara Energy. I live 11.6 miles from my job, so my daily commute to and from work is 100% on battery. My average battery life with mixed driving is 38 miles before switching to gas.
When I was driving my Lexus, I was spending $160-$200 per month for gasoline on average. Since I have owned the Volt, my average cost per month for gas and electricity combined comes to approximately $40 per month. If gas prices remain the same (which we all know they will NOT), I will save $1,680 per year in fuel costs. Obviously that number will increase as the cost of gasoline goes up.
Also, for all of you who claim that my battery won't last, and I will end up having to pay to have it replaced, you obviously have not done your homework. All Volts made come with a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty on the battery. If it fails during this time, it will be replaced free of charge by Chevy. Given that during my lifetime, I have never kept a car past 8 years or beyond 88,000 miles, this will obviously be not be an issue.
Also, one other benefit that many people may not know is the 5 years of Onstar comes included with every Volt.
Here are actual facts:
I traded in my 2006 Lexus IS 250 for a Chevy Volt on 1/17/12.
Since then, I have driven the Volt for slightly more than 5,100 miles. In March 2012, I had a rapid 240v charger installed at my home in Houston, TX, for a total out-of-pocket cost of $163, which cuts my charging time down by 60%, which was due to a $225 permit charge from the City of Houston. The DOE rebate covered the entire cost of the charger, the home installation, and part of the cost of the permit.
During those 5,100 miles driven, I have made 3 out-of-town trips. Two were approximately 220 miles round trip, and the third was 130 miles round trip. Since I purchased the vehicle in January, I have spent $45.64 on Premium Unleaded gasoline. Over the time I have owned this vehicle, that averages out to more than 200 miles per gallon of gasoline used. Yes, the Volt requires Premium, and that is all that I have put in it.
As I previously mentioned, I installed the high-tech 240v rapid charger from Blink, which is connected to my home WiFi, and generates a number of reports. For the months of April and May, I paid approximately $1 per day in electricity for car charging. For April, it cost $30.47 and for May, charging cost $30.82. (I did not include March's numbers, as they would actually skew my cost lower, because I went on vacation for 10 days.) I presently am paying $0.095 per Kwh with Tara Energy. I live 11.6 miles from my job, so my daily commute to and from work is 100% on battery. My average battery life with mixed driving is 38 miles before switching to gas.
When I was driving my Lexus, I was spending $160-$200 per month for gasoline on average. Since I have owned the Volt, my average cost per month for gas and electricity combined comes to approximately $40 per month. If gas prices remain the same (which we all know they will NOT), I will save $1,680 per year in fuel costs. Obviously that number will increase as the cost of gasoline goes up.
Also, for all of you who claim that my battery won't last, and I will end up having to pay to have it replaced, you obviously have not done your homework. All Volts made come with a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty on the battery. If it fails during this time, it will be replaced free of charge by Chevy. Given that during my lifetime, I have never kept a car past 8 years or beyond 88,000 miles, this will obviously be not be an issue.
Also, one other benefit that many people may not know is the 5 years of Onstar comes included with every Volt.
Jun 6, 2012 3:26AM
Volt is the right direction. Big battery with a small engine to charge it. Toyota has a concept car, said to get 112 mpg, that features a two cylinder engine that only charges the battery. I build my own solar panels (not that difficult) and use them to charge my electric powered motorcycle. Electric car is next. There is nothing like FREE energy.
I have been following Ray Kurtzweil. He has been accurate on all his predictions and he is now saying that solar will be the next power source for the world because nano technology will produce solar panels in the future that will be lighter, much more efficient and way cheaper.
In California, with its perpetual sunshine, it is easy to picture solar charging stations at home, at work, shopping, everywhere.
I have been following Ray Kurtzweil. He has been accurate on all his predictions and he is now saying that solar will be the next power source for the world because nano technology will produce solar panels in the future that will be lighter, much more efficient and way cheaper.
In California, with its perpetual sunshine, it is easy to picture solar charging stations at home, at work, shopping, everywhere.
Jun 6, 2012 5:42AM
Let's not have a debate on what car is or isn't good. Sales will always determine that. If you want to buy the Volt fine just shut up about my driving an SUV or my choice of vehicle. When it comes to push or shove with energy in this country the free market system will determine the winner.
Jun 6, 2012 12:31AM
Wow typical IDIOOT comments here. First off how about VOLT brought to you by the same people who brought you the Cadillac CTS-V, or the Corvette ZR-1, or the new Buick Regal. Or let's try this VOLT brought to you by the very same people who LIVE IN THE U.S> ! Or pay for the products and or services that your company provides thus providing you with your current employment ! Why is it that conservatives like to wrap themselves up in our flag and hold themselves above all others by saying who is a patriot , and who isn't. All the while spousing anti-Americanisims left and right ? I for one am very proud of being an American, and I'm very happy that GM is still around , and producing some of the best vehicles ever made by anyone. Here's a prediction. I'll bet that any comment left here by anyone who actually owns a VOLT, expouses nothing but praise and complete love for the car ! And I'll also bet that when it comes right down to it, these VOLT owners are more AMERICAN then anyone who spends a dime on a vehicle , which underperforms, offers less value, has a higher cost of ownership, has less style, and is not built by an American auto manufacturer. Anyone who wastes OUR monies on a Leaf, or a Prious is in my mind nearly guilty of treason. We are in a very critical moment in our history , and a great amount of the cause of this financial situation can be laid directly at the feet of 8 years of theft and missmanagement brought on by the Bush administration. Want ot really be a ptriot ? Want to do something good for your country ? You can start by ending your mindless rants about things you obviously know nothing about ! Stop trying to be the big mouthed bully who is expousings negativity and trying to influence others into making decisions which effect all of U.S. !
Jun 6, 2012 5:45AM
Jun 6, 2012 5:42AM
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