So you you want to give your VW a bit more get up and go, well there are some very easy and inexpensive ways to get a bit more performance out of your car. To start with it all depends on which Volkswagen you have, as this will affect the selection of performance parts that are available to you. For example there will be loads of go performance goodies out there for tuning your Golf/GTI hatchback but sadly a lot less of a selection when it comes to finding VW performance parts for say a VW Passat or Polo. The first easy step to improving your VW's performance, is to make sure the car is running properly and ensure your VW has had a tune up and an oil change. OK I know this may sound simple and silly but you'd be surprised how many people overlook this basic step. Adding performance parts to a car that's not running properly to start with, is going to be a waste of your time and money and ultimately will not improve your VW's performance at all. The second step is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Again sounds simple and basic, but tyres are probably the most neglected, but essential items on your car. How often do you check the pressure of your tyres? I don't think so! Surprisingly correct tyre pressure not only improves the handling of your VW it also helps to make sure you're getting the best fuel consumption possible. Once you have gone through these basic steps, then you can move onto other ways below to improve the performance of your VW and even still save fuel.
Armed with my EVgo On-The-Go monthly plan, my charging sessions would cost just 10 cents/minute on top of the base monthly fee. I was at the rest area for approximately 1 hour, hitting the restroom, eating my dinner, and relaxing catching up on email while waiting for the Bolt to charge. After about 45 minutes of charging (had to restart the EVgo station after 30 minutes because of their 30 minute hard cap), it was back on the road! I had gained 103 miles of charge in 45 minutes. 70 mph pace with the AC now off since temps had cooled down considerably. The next morning I ventured out to an EVgo station about a 1/2 mile from my mother's house to top off the Bolt. After spending Sunday around town, it was time to head back home to MD Monday morning. However, a stop to visit the grandparents in Mechanicsburg, PA, was planned, so the total drive would be 420 miles for the day. I did NOT start my trek back home with a full battery, however.
Due to having to go to the airport late Sunday night to pick up a family member, I only had about 207 miles of rated range when I departed CT. Despite not having a 100% charge, I knew the DCFC station on my route was only 160 miles away, so I still had plenty of a buffer. HOWEVER, starting with a 100% charge from CT would have made my return trip easier, as you'll see later. Once again, with temps in the low 90's, I had the AC cranking at 70 just about the whole drive, speeds between 65-70 mph. My stop at the Molly Pitcher rest area EVgo station was uneventful. I noticed that a Tesla Model X owner was Supercharging when I pulled in. He seemed to give me a rather puzzled look, probably wondering what a non-Tesla EV was doing at the Supercharger site. I eat my sammich while my Bolt sucks up the e-juice. After a little over an hour of charging (two 30 minute sessions plus a few minutes more), I was on my way, with 169 miles on the GOM and 152 miles to the grandparent's house.
While the grandparents were only 152 miles away, the nearest DCFC I was planning to stop at was actually over 180 miles away! I arrived at my grandparents, who despite being over 90 years old, expressed a lot of interest in the Bolt. After spending some time catching up and eating dinner, it was time to hit the road yet again. DCFC stop was 33 miles away. I decided if I drove at the speed limit rather than over it, I would have plenty of range to get to the next stop, as my range estimate was based off me going 5-10 over the speed limit. I must admit, during the last 15 miles of the drive after the GOM simply blinked "LOW" at me, I got my first bit of range anxiety. However, based off my previous experiences, I felt reasonably comfortable I had enough range to make it. The constant hills gave me some worry though. Turned out I had plenty of miles to spare! I made it to the EVgo station (another 100-amp station. Arby's in York, PA. Whew, that's cutting it close! I spent an hour at this EVgo station, and when I was ready to go I had 95 miles of range and 63 miles to home. I burned down the road at 70-75 MPH the rest of the way, leaving the range worries in the dust. So all in all, I drove over 900 miles over the course of 2 1/2 days, averaging 4.2 miles/kWh driving like an regular person on the highway this 4th of July weekend. As far as charging costs go, I engaged in a total of 4.5 hours of fast charging at EVgo stations. 14.95 monthly fee in the total).
