GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles • Hacker News Board

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#51

Post by freehunter » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:39 PM UTC

Someone1234 wrote: post #10

cowmix wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where are you located? The Chevy Bolt is being offered with pretty good incentives. Between those prices, gas savings, etc. Getting a Bolt might make sense.

It starts at $36,620 and has up to $3,750[0] in federal tax credits. Making it a $30K+ Subcompact non-luxury vehicle. It doesn't make sense. [0] https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml

For comparison, you can get a Certified Pre-Owned BMW 3-series for similar money.

At that price point you need to be buying the car specifically because it's electric, not because it's a good value.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#52

Post by ilyaeck » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:40 PM UTC

lukifer wrote: post #3

> Later, [GM] found some success with the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid that runs on electric power but also has a backup gas engine. The car was too expensive, though... As a happy Volt owner (I've yet to met one who didn't love theirs), I can't help but wonder if "expensive" is code for "lost service revenue because the thing is too dang low maintenance and reliable". ;)

Yes, one of the nicest cars I ever owned. I am about to reach the end of my 3 year lease and would get another Volt in a heartbeat if that was an option.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#53

Post by flyingfences » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:42 PM UTC

rootusrootus wrote: post #28

throw0101a wrote: post #26

My parents' house does not have a garage or a driveway, how exactly will the only-full-EV future work for them? Where are they supposed to charge?

At a supercharger/equivalent. We're getting to the point where EVs have enough range that they can be charged on nearly the same schedule as a gas car is refueled.

Recharging after the same intervals isn't enough. How long does it take to charge? Do I have to spend an hour standing around at the "pump" each week, whereas a gas pump takes two minutes?

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#54

Post by boulos » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:45 PM UTC

Someone1234 wrote: post #13

j2bax wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure what your mileage needs are, but I recently picked up an off lease 2016 eGolf with 33k miles for $12,500 from the VW dealer as my commuter. Gets about 80 miles to a charge in town/city driving, more than enough for my daily commute. Wife drives the long range ICE family vehicle. Some day I hope to be able to affordably replace that as well!

My mileage needs are low. Unfortunately they don't/didn't ever sell the e-Golf here. Looking at used car sites the nearest ones are in California (about a two day drive). Still might be worth the drive at those prices (although charging it to get it home might require some pre-planning).

Shipping it would be somewhere between $500 and $1500 depending on your distance. Alternatively, you can rent a one-way U-Haul (or similar) with car towing and tow it :). The fuel alone though at say 15 mpg while towing is probably about $250 though.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#55

Post by mikeyouse » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:45 PM UTC

sgt101 wrote: post #50

I need a eV for a 120mile round trip commute - what's my best bet?

Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt will both have you covered comfortably from a range perspective. Test drive both and buy the one that you prefer.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#56

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:45 PM UTC

hnModsRDanger wrote: post #15

cowmix wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All my fellow Volt owners who have gone Tesla don't have any range anxiety issues. People that went Bolt have SOME but mostly they are happy with their path too.

The difference is that, with GM, you expect your car to move you. With Tesla, you are showing off that you bought a luxury vehicle. It's surveying a different question.

[deleted]

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#57

Post by Shebanator » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:48 PM UTC

alvern wrote: post #36

cjensen wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Used Nissan Leafs are unusually cheap. Generally around $12-14K from Carmax. Yes the battery is already a bit worn out, but the price cut is very worth it.

The first generations are regularly going for $5k-$8k.

There are good reasons why those early Leafs are so cheap. Namely battery packs that lose effectiveness very quickly due to lack of cooling. Stay away.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#58

Post by jedberg » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:55 PM UTC

I'm trying to replace my 2012 SUV with another SUV. I've been looking all over for a plug in hybrid SUV, and there aren't any good ones. I want the plug in hybrid because 95% of the time we do less than 30 miles locally, but once in a while we drive a couple hundred.

I would be fine with an all electric SUV with a decent range, but those don't exist either. The model X is not sufficient, and is also terrible for everyone who isn't the driver (and also costs way too much for what you get).

Hopefully this change means that in a few years I'll be able to find what I want.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#59

Post by nradov » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:58 PM UTC

jseliger wrote: post #17

btilly wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. Expensive is code for, "We lost money selling them, and only bothered because we got tax write-offs." In short, expensive means expensive. They cost a lot to make.

The Volt was also conceived in the late 2000s when gas prices were high. It was partially a hedge against skyrocketing gas prices. Between the first major oil price crisis in the '70s and today, people reliably buy bigger, more polluting cars when oil is cheap and smaller, less polluting cars when oil is expensive. Fracking may have semi-permanently put a cap on the cost of oil, which is horrific from a global warmin…

The Volt also had the wrong body style based on changing consumer preferences. If GM had put the Voltec drive train in a compact SUV it probably would have sold better.

Re: GM, Volkswagen Say Goodbye to Hybrid Vehicles

#60

Post by seanmcdirmid » Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 5:58 PM UTC

throw0101a wrote: post #26

My parents' house does not have a garage or a driveway, how exactly will the only-full-EV future work for them? Where are they supposed to charge?

EVs are pretty popular in China where owned personal parking spots are relatively more rare. Somehow they make it work out, though I personally wouldn’t bother with an EV until I had somewhere to power it at home.