My
experience test driving a Tesla has shaped my expectations and desires
from an electric car. The Volt is engineered to drive as much like a
normal gas car as possible. In normal mode and drive transmission
setting, it is indistinguishable from a normal car. However, put the
transmission on the Low setting, and the car becomes like a true
electric car, very responsive, immediate regenerative braking when
lifting the foot off the accelerator, and put the car in sport mode and
transmission on low, and it is very Telsa like in its driving. I find
that keeping the car in Normal, with transmission in low, works fine for
me. I use Drive transmission on longer drives, as it coasts better and
is easier. But I love the responsiveness of Low, and not needing the
brake for much. Just around town, the car is a dream to drive, it feels
like a sports car, quick acceleration off a stop, and very responsive
and solid.
Long drives are a very different matter. I
have read up quite a bit, not surprising given my obsessive nature, and
learned that hold and mountain modes are good to retain battery reserve
on longer drives. My aim was to employ the gas powered mode while on
the highway, where the gas is most efficient, and switch to battery when
in New York City. My first trip this winter when going down to NYC I overdid the hold mode, and did
not have very good mpg on the way down, powered by the gas engine most of the
way. My MPG was in the high 30’s. However, I was able to cruise the
streets of Manhattan completely on electric and emissions free. Prior to
buying my Volt, I had asked the garage I use most, if they would have a
plug available for recharging and they said they would. So this was the
first time I came in with it and after some looking we found a spot where I could park
and plug in my Volt. Interestingly, this is the first plug in car they
have seen in their garage, and this is in the heart of Manhattan. The
drive back I fared better mpg wise. My car was fully recharged
overnight, and I cruised electrically through Manhattan to the West Side
highway. I stayed electric until I hit the Sawmill Parkway, and put the
car into mountain mode, to keep a reserve for the mountains midway up
the Taconic. This worked well, it kept a battery reserve of half, and
drove well. On the return trip I got about 50mpg using up the battery
range going over the mountains.
A general comment, one thing I have
observed, is that at highway speeds, in gas powered mode, the car
drives sluggishly with very little oomph to the acceleration. You can
get up the high speeds, but it takes effort, which probably is a good thing for
me, I’ve gotten enough speeding tickets. So I find that in the Volt, I’m
driving at or just above the speed limit, and feel comfortable there.
Probably a benefit for me!
This sluggishness at highway
speed may be characteristic of the Volt. I was at first thinking that
it happens while the gas engine is providing the power, as the car is so
quick at slower speeds while in electric mode. Driving in gas mode is
disconcerting at first for one used to a performance gas powered car. I
owned an Audi A4 for a few years, and had two Jetta’s, a TDI, and the
aforementioned hybrid. All are responsive and speedy gas cars. You
could accelerate at highway speeds about as quickly as you could at
slower speeds. Not so with the Volt. I will have to learn to drive
differently, passing is probably not a good idea unless the person in
front is really slow!
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