Whoops! Edmunds Tool Ranks Volt Over Prius For Total Cost Of Ownership

Our friends over at Edmunds have a nifty little True Cost of Ownership calculator, and the results are giving our other friends over at GM-Volt.com something to cheer about. When you plug the numbers into Edmunds’s proprietary system, you come up with a five year cost of ownership for the Chevy Volt that is thousands less — yes, less, than the retail price.

That makes sense since one factor is the fuel savings you get from an electric car, but what really has GM-Volt.com all excited is that the numbers come out a lot better for the Chevy Volt than for Toyota’s Prius.

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outsider - 12/23/2013 6:17:01 PM

+1 Boost

It would be interesting to know the details. The Volt has larger tires, which cots more. The Volt has 3 complicated clutches for powertrain operation, but Prius not. The clutches are expensive.
The 5 000 USD discount should impact on depreciation a lot:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0614/GM-offers-5-000-discount-on-Chevy-Volt-to-boost-sales
I'm not sure, that all aspects have been considered in order to properly evaluate TCO. :-(
Sorry edmunds.com, we need details to believe your calculation.

vdiv - 12/26/2013 12:09:18 PM

+1 Boost

The Prius has a clutch as well. However unlike in a manual trannie these can last the life of the car due to the electronically controlled rev-matching. Edmunds only looks at the first 5 years where the drivetrain is under warranty so there is no cost aspect associated with it.

MattDarringer - 12/24/2013 12:12:13 PM

-1 Boost

The problem with the Volt is that its resale value will be in the toilet. Cars like this are like computers. What to buy a used 5-year old PC? NOPE! Because plug in hybrids will get better, there is no reason to buy a used one AND because this is new technology the risk of it needing expensive repairs down the road is a threat to resale value as well.

The Volt is also not the most civilized drive. It needed more development time. It feels like what it is: a Cruze with batteries bolted in, with an ugly hatchback body thrown on. It simply does NOT have the quality or refinement to merit its ridiculous list price even with a $5K discount.

MarkW - 12/29/2013 1:37:36 PM

+1 Boost

that right, answer cold hard fact with FUD and Luddite fallacys, mean while the rest of the auto world is scrambling to roll out a plug in. If your trolling you need to try harder.

vdiv - 12/26/2013 12:04:49 PM

+1 Boost

Whoops indeed!

Is the light bulb starting to shine a bit brighter? :p

outsider - 12/27/2013 9:08:31 AM

+1 Boost

@vdiv
No clutch in Prius at all. Thy system use only two electric motors and petrol engine, all theses linked with one planetary gear. I know this by my personal experience.
The clutch might not covered by warranty, because it is friction part like brake pads, brake discs...

vdiv - 12/27/2013 10:16:49 AM

+1 Boost

You are right, the second and third gen Prius do not have a clutch.