Test drive of 2017 Volt today

[WilliamJones]

I am looking to buy a used plug-in. Today I drove a Volt for the first time with the sales person along during the ride. I noticed the "gas gauge" in the left side of the main display. It had one bar, which said to me that the battery was not charged much if at all. When we got back to the dealership, the one bar was gone and it seemed to me that we never got into electric only mode. The sales guy said that the Volt is a hybrid and the battery and ICE motor alternate power to the wheels:battery at low speed and motor at higher speeds.
I think the sales guy was clueless. Am I correct?

 

[laptop]

I am looking to buy a used plug-in. Today I drove a Volt for the first time with the sales person along during the ride. I noticed the "gas gauge" in the left side of the main display. It had one bar, which said to me that the battery was not charged much if at all. When we got back to the dealership, the one bar was gone and it seemed to me that we never got into electric only mode. The sales guy said that the Volt is a hybrid and the battery and ICE motor alternate power to the wheels:battery at low speed and motor at higher speeds.
I think the sales guy was clueless. Am I correct?

You are right, it can drive on battery only at highway speed as far as I can remember. I used to have a 2016 that got retired at lease end. Replaced it with a Honda clarity. You may want to test drive it again but get there the day before and ask them to plug it right in front of you and leave it plugged.
It is a very nippy car and you probably YouTubed it already.
One thing to note is the exhaust gas smell at height speed when ICE kicks in.


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