Quote:
Originally Posted by TimT
Note that any excess energy produced goes to the battery... and GASP!!! contributes to recharging the battery....
So in some small way the engine is charging the battery....
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It's a very small way, and the energy management system is designed to avoid charging the battery with petroleum. It isn't possible to exactly match the ICE output with the traction motor's requirements, so it makes sense to push any excess to the battery. I think the author of that article, rather than clearing the air, just made it cloudier. The engine does not recharge the battery in any meaningful way. Even the author says it won't fully recharge the battery. I drove my Volt 700 miles on the ICE and saw no noticeable change in the charge level of the battery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimT
How have any of you faired that drive them in the snow? I am spoiled by the AWD goodness of my Subie and am hesitant to give that up
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One of the unsolicited comments the salesman made to me was that the Volt is great in the snow. I'm skeptical because of the low air dam in front. It looks to me like it would make a great snowplow.