This will come as a disappointment to Nissan, as it once was the leader in plug-in electric vehicle sales. However, it’s hard to maintain a lead with a vehicle as long-in-tooth as the Leaf. As for Tesla, it’s likely the high price tags of the company’s vehicles contributed to slower sales, whereas a Chevrolet Volt can be had for less than $30,000 with tax incentives.
Chevrolet also made sure to tout the environmental benefits of the Volts the company sold. Chevy reports that Volt owners drove 2.5 billion miles since the car went on sale, and 1.5 billion of those miles were driven in electric mode, which the company estimates saved almost 58 billion gallons of gasoline.
It’s tough to say which company will be the next to hit 100,000 sales. Nissan may still reach it with the Leaf before Tesla does with one of its models. And it would certainly be easier for Nissan to reach that target quickly with an updated Leaf, ideally one with significantly more range. The good news for either of these companies is that they could still claim to be the first company to 100,000 pure electric cars in the US. So let the sales race continue.
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2016-08-01
DETROIT – Chevrolet is announcing the sale of 100,000 Volts, giving those owners a no-compromise electric driving experience with a plug-in vehicle offering an EPA-estimated 53 miles of electric vehicle range and a total range of 420 miles between gasoline fill-ups or full recharges*.
“The Chevrolet Volt delivers not just a fun driving experience behind the wheel, but has become the first vehicle with plug-in electrification technology to truly become mainstream,” said Steve Majoros, director of marketing, Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers. “Not only is the Volt a class-creator, it serves as the foundation of a Chevrolet electric family that will soon add the first long-range, affordable EV available to customers across the U.S., the Chevrolet Bolt EV.”
How much of an impact do 100,000 Volts out on the road make? As it turns out, quite a bit. Since sales of the Chevrolet Volt began, owners have driven almost 1.5 billion miles in EV mode of a total 2.5 billion cumulative miles. Based on an average new car fuel economy of 25.3 miles per gallon, Volt drivers have saved nearly 58 million gallons of fuel. That is enough gasoline to fill more than 87 competition-size swimming pools.
The second-generation Volt improves on the pioneering work of the original, adding additional electric-only range, improved fuel economy of 106 mpg-e and 42 mpg, and a chassis that is lighter than the original. The second-generation Volt is 220 pounds lighter than the first-generation and delivers 19 percent stronger 0-30 mph electric acceleration while providing 39 percent greater pure EV range. Based on Chevrolet data, Chevrolet expects the average 2017 Volt driver who fully charges the car regularly to travel more than 1,000 miles between gas fill ups.*
The Volt offers industry-leading smartphone integration, with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an onboard, available OnStar 4G LTE connection—features that will leave the next 100,000 owners of the Chevrolet Volt even more satisfied.
*EPA estimated 53-mile EV range based on 106 mpg-e combined city/highway (electric) and 42 mpg combined city/highway (gas). Actual range varies with conditions.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
