How many times can you recharge one of those batteries, any idea? Not only the cost of electricity to charge it but the cost of battery disposal and replacement. I could probably use a golf cart if they would let me to go to the grocery. Oh wait here's the ticket:
I did a little nadining, and found out the 2013 Volt battery has a 16.5 KWh capacity. CNET claims it can be charged from a 240-volt source in 4.5 hours, or a 120-volt source in about 10.5 hours (oh, joy.)
They also state the range has been increased from 35 to 38 miles. Oh, joy.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57449166-48/higher-gas-mileage-electric-range-for-2013-chevy-volt/As far as how long the battery will actually last, the only consistent answer I could find was: it depends. The biggest issue so far seems to be location, and the hotter the average temperature, the bigger the hit on battery life, often cutting it in half.
The Chevy Volt battery currently has an 8-year/100K mile warranty, so let's say for sake of argument it'll last 120K on average. No actual replacement cost has been announced, but estimates in the $8-10K range aren't exactly out of line.
So, to summarize:
Assuming average electrical cost of 12 cents per KwH (closer to 16-17 in NH) for 40 KwH of usage (I'm using my driving, not the "average") we'll come up with about $5/day in electricity. Not bad, until you consider driving 80-90 miles in a vehicle getting 40 mpg would consume roughly $7/day in gas, and that $8-10K now means you're going to have to go at least (AT LEAST) 15 years between battery changeouts to break even--a virtual impossibility.
So yeah--the Volt, Leaf, et al, are cars made for people who love smelling their own farts.
ETA: Also consider that battery life is also going to go way down if one "deep cycles" the battery rather than partially discharging before recharging, so there's that too. Enjoy.
