2012 Chevrolet Volt: Plugging in to change

By Jonathan McGrew

The only constant is change. That was Heraclitus’ sentiment during the time of the Greeks. Many centuries later, that idea may be one of the few things that has not changed. Life today is completely different even from 100 years ago; people once enslaved have rights, women can vote and hold positions of power and we are fighting for the right to marry the ones we love.

The environment is changing too; oil prices are rising – more than $100 a barrel and close to $4 a gallon at the pump – and the supply is slowly diminishing. Opinions on what is economical or responsible are evolving and consumers seek alternatives.

In the ’50s, the dream was that we would all be in flying electric cars by now. That fell short, but in the last few years we have started to see viable – make that liveable – cars powered by electricity. Plug them in until they’re charged and head out on the town.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt will plug you into this trend. It’s technically a hybrid, capable of using both gasoline and electricity, but the difference between the Volt and most hybrids is that it can reach 40 miles on a single battery charge. Moreover, it can go some 300 plus miles using the gas engine in the range-extending mode.

There are many articles on this car’s technology, but we’ll leave that to engineers; this story is how the Volt is changing America. To start, it’s made in the United States, when buying American is coming back. There are other advantages, like a $7,500 federal tax credit, and for Colorado residents an additional $6,000 in tax credits because it’s an electric car. With these cuts, the 2012 Chevrolet Volt that came by the Out Front Colorado’s garage with a $43,880 sticker price would come down to just over $30,000. You can see how affordable that can make the Base MSRP of $31,645.

Change the perception of electric vehicles and affordability: Check. What about battery life? And does the car drive like some sort of flying saucer? Will I enjoy driving it?

When it comes to the Volt, there’s no need to worry about range since the engine backs up the battery. Even if you drive only on gas, you’re likely to get an EPA-estimated 37mpg combined city/highway. More likely is the 94 MPG that most consumers will experience using electric and gas combined city/highway. That, by the way, adds up to an estimate of $7,600 in fuel savings over the span of five years, according to the EPA.

The most remarkable thing about the Volt is that it feels like the car you’re driving now – perhaps quieter and more efficient. In 350 miles it is obvious that the car handles well and can achieve the electric range advertised if you change your driving habits to be more efficient. We were able to achieve 110 average mpg over two days, 38 miles in electric mode and more in range-extending mode, driving around the Metro Area.

The Volt doesn’t require you to change your habits, but you won’t get the full value unless you embrace the new technology and new ways to drive efficiently. But adapting is easy considering the savings at the pump and the low cost of electricity compared to gas.

With all the comforts of a luxury car – navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Bose audio, heated seats, leather and climate control – the 2012 Chevrolet Volt won’t make you sacrifice luxury to go green. If you are ready for the next frontier in driving, a test drive is in order. It might change your life. ]