The Chevrolet Volt Sucks AC in D.C.

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Why don’t we get this aside right this moment: The Chevy Volt is a wonderful car to begin with, no matter its nouveau powertrain. We’re fully aware its forte is returning mega-mileage numbers for anyone with short commutes, but this 4-day, 1,400-plus-mile adventure inside the Volt works as a real-time type of how readily this plug-in rechargeable car can rise to a long-distance challenge if necessary — a feat that may leave a number of its plug-in only competitors sitting idle in the garage. Not only a straightforward mileage trial, this escapade was partially designed gauge public interest and consumer awareness while evaluating the benefit and availability of the evolving network of public charging stations.

Several online databases exist to assist one’s find legitimate charging stations, and furnished with a laptop or smartphone, finding a station is fun. It’s like participating in a “Mad Max”-themed geocaching event, only with the gasoline so highly coveted from the vagabonds inside post-apocalyptic epic replaced using a 240-volt way to obtain electricity, that includes an industry-standard SAE J1772 male charging plug after the cable. It’s in this manner that we found the charging station at Mom’s Market in Timonium, Md., a suburb of Baltimore.

The station is a component of your ChargePoint network. A cell phone call on the 800 number on unit was all it popularized unlock the coupler with the base unit and begin our charging session. Mom’s Market has two charging stations — is 120-volt, the other is 240-volt — but for the moment, charges are free. (Many stations charge a fee, that can need a bank card or existing account.) The mellow “power towards people” attitude displayed by Mom’s Market is a good idea considering content of Mom’s founder and owner, Scott Nash: “They acquire some use every now and again, but the reason why we now have this so early is really because it’s like an advertisement for electric cars. Seeing the station could make people take into consideration purchasing one. The charging stations need to go in first, and then the cars get bought, so we’re before the curve somewhat. We believe it may possibly explode next year or more.”

After three approximately hours of shopping at Mom’s and sampling optimum caffeinated beverages the Timonium Starbucks can give, we grow restless, reluctantly sever the Volt’s umbilical-like connection to Mom’s charging station and head toward Washington, D.C., just shy of your full charge.

Regardless how well-packaged, vehicle this compact it is impossible to ignore the 400-pound gorilla space — that may be, the T-shaped power supply that runs the length of the passenger compartment. It’s why rear passengers ride in bucket seats (note: Children LOVE them) rather then on the bench. Its low, center-mounted position provides the Volt a fine center of gravity and relays a secure, confident handling feel on the driver, regardless how perverse the physics. Is what Ford meant during the ’70s by “road-hugging weight?”

In reality, the Volt’s road dynamics are as boring as that from any comparable economy car. Impacts are subdued and wind noise is minimal; the fact is, it’s eerily quiet inside. A wind-cheating 3-piece spoiler resides within the front bumper and scrapes the soil on even tiniest of bumps; GM says it’s “replaceable.” The inside B-pillar will intrude for the shoulder space of anybody who buys their suits off the large end in the rack, as well as the graphics to the door panels look just like we were looking at lifted straight from one side of any ’70s arcade computer game. The graphics and switch gear around the center stack lean more toward the Apple aesthetic than PC.

In D.C. and the surrounding affluent suburbs, the Volt is really a certified superstar. Our first hint on this comes whenever a long, gaunt arm resembling what John Holstrom illustration pokes over the window of your late-model Volkswagen GTI to present an unsolicited, celebratory thumbs-up mainly because it blitzes past. Later, hotel manager Justin Cortez recognizes the Volt upon arrival and begins rearranging parking assignments to rate us looking at a power outlet. Once we were double-parked before the FDR Memorial for upwards of 20 min, a gruff (and fully combat-armed) police man approaches, and before I will utter anything at my defense says, “The new Volt, right?” “Yeah,” I reply, “we’re here to look into the Solar Decathlon about the Mall.” “Cool,” he says, nodding in approval. The real key simply walks away. Karma, apparently, is battery-powered.

Rolling in electric-only mode through D.C. is sublime; pedestrians in this enlightened district readily dispense knowing looks and smiles of approval. One caveat: Avoid getting too obsessed with the self-righteous love-fest, for the reason that engine can kick on when power supply gets low, then when it does, it brings a swift end towards latest meeting of your mutual admiration society.

People in the numerous collegiate teams which are competing on this year’s Solar Decathlon are well-versed to all things Volt, some having interned with companies affiliated with the development of the program and hardware utilized in hybrids and charging stations. While getting a Döner Kebab plus a quick, satellite-fed football fix with the Döner Bistro in Leesburg, Va., your final accolade develops from a fellow diner — a temporarily transplanted German inside the employ of Mercedes Benz — who says in a heavy German accent: “Is that your chosen Volt man? It is actually nice car. To get a Chevy I’m talking about.”

So, after four days, 1,413 miles, 34.4 gallons of gasoline as well as a respectable 41 mpg, what are we found out that we didn’t already know?

For starters, the Volt makes a fine road-trip car when all your other available choices are exhausted. Second, large swaths with the public will know of the Volt and love just what it does. Nonetheless they just cannot obtain heads throughout the price. Yet.