Posts: 52,238
Threads: 2,800
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
1
I don't know if the Tesla even offers 110v charging but it would take quite some time to charge.
Yes, like any battery, the higher the capacity, the longer the charging time.
It's a little disappointing to see that charge times at 110V are so long for such a short range (40mi).
Still, for a lot of people, 40mi is as much or more then they'd travel in a day. And there are the charging options.
I either forgot, or you haven't mentioned it, but do you have a 220/240V charging station? If one already has the garage wired for 220V (electric dryer?) what't involved in adding such a charging station?
Posts: 50,838
Threads: 670
Joined: Mar 2024
saintyohann wrote:
From the utility, $.138KWh, but we have a solar array which covers everything most months.
Nice.
Posts: 384
Threads: 19
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
RAMd®d wrote:
1 )Is there something unique about the Volt's application of electric power compared to the Prius and other name hybrids? I'm not talking about small details, just some basic philosophical application of electric hybrid tech.
And b) Can the 'average' electric and hybrid be charged overnight, say within 10-12hrs, on 110VAC? I know there're higher capacity charging options, but I'm just wondering.
Yes there is a difference, in a Prius you have a small electric motor that assists the gas engine on acceleration. The Volt has two larger electric motors that do the work (the gas engine is part of a genset that provides electricity to the electric motors when the battery is depleted).
You can charge from 110 and the cars come with that cord, figure you'll get 4-5 miles of juice every hour it's plugged in...
Posts: 384
Threads: 19
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
RAMd®d wrote: I either forgot, or you haven't mentioned it, but do you have a 220/240V charging station? If one already has the garage wired for 220V (electric dryer?) what't involved in adding such a charging station?
I do have two of the 240V charging stations at my house. Both were installed while California was participating in the EV Project.
For adding a charging station, it depends on the outlet you have and the city you live in... Some municipalities require charging stations to be hardwired, not plugged. But difficulty-wise, you'd buy a station ($400-1000), add the right NEMA head to match your dryer socket and mount it on the wall.
But it's even easier for the new Volt. It comes with a 110V plug from a company called ClipperCreek (really good products, I recommended them to Speedy). They over-engineered the box and it will do 240V charging if you use a pigtail adapter.
Posts: 33,855
Threads: 2,463
Joined: Apr 2025
Reputation:
0
Great info here!
I'm tied to my ancient Honda Civic hybrid. I'll be driving it until it dies I'm sure. Not economically or earth-friendly to get a new car yet...
Posts: 31,028
Threads: 2,688
Joined: May 2025
Great! Volt v.2 looks to be a great car. It's the one I want,too. Please update us on your experience.
Posts: 52,238
Threads: 2,800
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
1
sainty, thank you for all the information.
How does the geneset work?
Does it charge the batteries while underway, or do you park the car and let the generator run?
Please update us on your experience.
This!
Posts: 54,614
Threads: 1,938
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
2
RAMd®d wrote:
sainty, thank you for all the information.
How does the geneset work?
Does it charge the batteries while underway, or do you park the car and let the generator run?
Please update us on your experience.
This!
The Volt engine does not charge the battery when you are driving, just regenerative recharging while braking or slowing. The engine can recharge when you are parked but unless you are interested in silent running afterward, why bother, just drive it.
Posts: 10,396
Threads: 172
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
Shoulda got that Tesla… :ohsnap:
Posts: 384
Threads: 19
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
RAMd®d wrote:
sainty, thank you for all the information.
How does the geneset work?
Does it charge the batteries while underway, or do you park the car and let the generator run?
The Genset only runs when it's needed, it would not run while in park (unless the hood is open, a requirement for emissions testing). It is more than powerful enough to run the electric motors, every now and then it will turn off for a few minutes because it's built up a little buffer, and then back on when you need it. You could just drive like a regular car and never charge it if you wanted to...
The only time if wouldn't be able to keep up would be a prolonged mountain climb (think climbing the Rockies). For that there is "Mountain Mode," which saves a ~3KWh available charge state in the battery OR if your battery is discharged builds you up to that level.
|
