Replies

I hope you understand how the cold weather mileage statement is propaganda. It is predicated on an un-garaged car, with poorly managed tire pressure and an absolute need to use seat heaters...and a need to drive only 3-4 miles. Its a stat massaged the way only government can (its a dotgov site). Perhaps its not 0%, because for around 45 seconds some of the sensors are in closed loop mode...but its very close to zero. Think about it - does your car get noticeably worse mileage in cold weather - you know, in the real world? Odds are it doesn’t. My office mate has kept ridiculously precise records on his car’s mileage for three years now...uses the same pump every time...records mileage and gas bought every time. No noticeable reduction of mileage in the winter - and his car isn’t even garaged.

Now lets look at the Volt. I’m not sure why it matters what section my manual quote comes from. Does the heading of the section change the meaning of the instructions?

I stated:

“I know for example that a Volt owner manual states not to leave the car out in the sun without being plugged in....energy is needed to cool the batteries.”

And you argued with it. So I found the exact language from the manual that states the same thing....and all you care about is the heading of the section?

Beyond that, I think you mis-understand the Volt’s “High Voltage Battery Cooling/Heating System”...and you presume it kicks on with the car off, and not plugged in to a charger. This is a contradiction to GM’s website, which states it “can be activated when the vehicle is “On” and if necessary during charging operations”. http://gm-volt.com/2010/12/09/the-chevrolet-volt-coolingheating-systems-explained/

IOW, if you don’t want to damage a battery by drawing current from it when too hot - do as the manual says and plug it in while in direct sunlight. Do you believe that now?

As far as the USA Today article is concerned - 95 degrees in southern California is NOT hot weather. I know my car can get around just fine in 110+ degree weather, because it has to do just that every year. These studies do absolutely nothing to indicate whether or not an EV could, without severe range degradation and/or battery damage. Very typical for an EV ‘test’...avoiding a scenario that even approaches worst case.