I drive approximately 2,000 miles per month, most of it on the expressway. In the fall of 2011 a purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Volt.

Since the time I have driven over 35,000 miles. Mileage per gallon ranges from 55 to 122 miles per gallon with an average of 95 mpg. I have used approximately 360 gallons of gas.

The Volt comes with a 110 volt charger. It takes 10 hours to charge a depleted battery. Currently the utility companies will pay for the purchase and installation of a 240 volt charger. This will reduce charge time by 4 hours. The Volt can be programmed to charge during non-peak hours and as a result, the cost of electricity is less.

The Volt averages 38 miles per charge during warmer weather and 27 miles per charge during cooler weather. Factors that greatly affect the battery life include:

• Use of air conditioning in warmer weather.
  
• In cooler weather, or winter, electricity is use for seat warmers, heat and lights.
  
• Personal driving habits. I drive on the expressway at ……70……MPH. I am confident if I were to drive locally, i.e. city driving, the battery life would significantly increase.
  

In the event you need a second charger, they can be purchased thru alternative suppliers. If you're handy, you could install it yourself or hire an electrician. Units cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

The cost for charging the volt is approximately $35.00 per month. I am fortunate to have a charging station at work but do not have it metered separately. My"best guess" is it costs an additional $70.00 per month at work, non- peak hours.

When traveling, there are phone aps and internet sites you can go to locate charging stations. They are typically at public buildings. Since they are typically located near parking spaces of disabled persons you have an added advantage of parking close to the door of the building. Great in winter and rain. The accept credit cards, or if you have one of the units from the utility, you'll have a card to use that will allow you to have the charges added to your residential account.

Also note that anyone who parks in a spot reserved for an electric vehicle runs the same risk as if they parked in a handicapped parking spot. On long trips, gas is the primary source of energy. The volt averages 38 mpg.

The Chevrolet Volt is very responsive and handle well in snow, better than most vehicles its size and better than many trucks (I compare it to my SUV).