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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the fuel economy label of the 2011 Volt that begins arriving in Chevrolet showrooms in December, claiming a number as high as 93 miles per gallon equivalent.
Caveats abound. Both electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, and hybrids with new larger battery packs, including the one in the Volt, present rating problems to the federal regulator already under criticism for its dubious mileage numbers. The Volt operates using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Leaf’s is 24-kWh.
Earlier this week EPA approved a Leaf label, claiming that the $32,000 five-passenger car is best-in-class with a mile per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of 106 city, 92 highway or a combined 99 MPGe. The Leafs annual electric cost using 12 cents a kilowatt-hour for the label is $561, a number far below those of the most fuel efficient gasoline powered cars or hybrids. (Read AutoInformed.com on EPA Says Nissan Leaf Gets 106 MPGe)
This calculation is based on the EPA’s formula of 33.7 kW-hrs being equivalent to one gallon of gasoline energy, and does not take into account for emission purposes how the electricity is generated.
The $41,000 Volt is rated with a miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of 93 combined for the first 35 miles only. Leaf’s electric range and total range is 73 miles. I have driven both and wouldn’t dispute those numbers – if you drive moderately.
Volt’s extended range with its 1.4-liter gasoline engine is 379 miles. If you add the Volt’s annual electric cost of $601 to its $1302 annual gasoline cost it is a $1903 total or $1342 more expensive.
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of the Volt starts at $41,000, including a destination freight charge of $720, or $33,500 if the buyer qualifies for the full federal income tax credit that ranges from $0 to $7,500.
This is roughly $8,000 more than the Nissan Leaf EV, which has a similar rollout plan for the U.S. starting in December, and also qualifies for lavish taxpayer subsidies. How long these remaining place in deficit ridden Washington is an open question. Both cars can be leased for $350/month.
So here the arguments will begin. The four-passenger Volt is a fully developed car without any range anxiety. The Leaf is a full electric with green bragging rights.
How many customers there are for both, remains to be seen?
