Otis Singleton
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle that has been described as a cutting-edge EV. It was the first series hybrid made by a major automotive company and has won multiple awards, including the 2011 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. The Volt is considered an extended-range electric vehicle by its manufacturer, but it is commonly referred to as a series hybrid. It runs on electric energy until the battery is depleted, after which a gasoline motor powers the battery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Model Name | Volt |
| Launch Year | 2010 |
| Launch Price | $34,395 - $38,995 |
| Electric Range | 38-55 miles |
| Combined Electric and Gasoline Range | Over 300 miles |
| Gas Mileage | Over 50 MPG |
| Battery Capacity | 16-18.4 kWh |
| Charging Time | 12 hours with a standard plug |
| Charging Score | 3.91/5 |
| Awards | 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year, 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 Automobile of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award, 2016 Green Car of the Year, 2012 International Engine of the Year Award, 2012 Car of the Year in Denmark |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle
- It is rated for 38-53 miles of all-electric range
- Volt owners don't need to worry about finding a charging station
- The Volt is a series hybrid, running on electric energy until the battery is depleted
- The Volt is one of the highest-rated cars by Recurrent
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle
The Volt has an impressive all-electric range of 38 to 53 miles when new, depending on the model year. This range has been praised as more than enough to get most people between home and work every day, and some drivers have reported being able to drive without using gas at all. The Volt's flexibility, low operation and maintenance costs, and the ability to recharge using a standard home plug have made it a popular choice for those seeking a practical hybrid vehicle.
The Chevy Volt was first introduced in 2010 and quickly gained recognition for its innovation and fuel efficiency. It won several awards, including the 2011 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal and the 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award in the electric car category by Kelley Blue Book. In 2019, the Chevrolet Volt remained one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market, known for its impressive all-electric range and everyday practicality.
Despite its success, the Volt faced challenges due to the high cost of lithium-ion batteries, which contributed to financial losses for General Motors (GM). As a result, GM decided to focus on developing pure electric vehicles, such as the Chevy Bolt, rather than continuing with the Volt. However, the Volt's impact on the EV market cannot be understated, and it continues to be recognised as a groundbreaking vehicle in the evolution of electric cars.
Electric Vehicle Insurance: Costlier Coverage for Greener Cars?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is rated for 38-53 miles of all-electric range
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle that is EPA-rated for 38-53 miles of all-electric range when new, depending on the model year. Chevy considers the Volt an extended-range electric vehicle, but it is commonly referred to as a "series" hybrid. This means that it runs exclusively on electric energy until the battery is depleted, after which a gasoline motor powers the battery. The Volt was the first series hybrid made by a major automotive company and has won many awards, including the 2009 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, 2011 World Green Car, 2011 SAE Best Engineered Car, 2012 European Car of the Year, and 2016 Green Car of the Year.
The Volt's all-electric range has improved over time, with the first-generation Volt initially rated for 35 miles of all-electric range in 2010, then recertified for 38 miles in 2013. The second-generation Volt, released in 2017, offered an improved battery system and drivetrain, increasing the all-electric range to 53 miles. This range is significantly higher than many other plug-in hybrids on the market, which often have about 20 miles or less of electric-only range.
The Volt's flexibility as a hybrid vehicle is one of its key advantages. It offers the convenience of electric driving for daily commutes, with the ability to switch to a gas engine for longer trips. This eliminates the range anxiety associated with pure electric vehicles and provides a combined range of over 300 miles for the electric motor and generator. The Volt's battery capacity is between 16 and 18.4 kWh, and it can be recharged using a standard home plug, although this can take up to 12 hours.
The electric range of the Chevy Volt can be influenced by various factors, such as temperature and terrain. It has been observed that the all-electric range can drop by around 15 miles in cold weather and by about 7 miles in hot weather. Additionally, the Volt's regenerative braking system helps to recapture kinetic energy during braking, contributing to improved energy efficiency. Overall, the Chevy Volt offers a practical and flexible option for those seeking a hybrid electric vehicle with a good all-electric range.
Electric Vehicles: A Historical Perspective From 1900s
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Volt owners don't need to worry about finding a charging station
The Chevy Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that has both an electric motor and a gas engine. It is considered an extended-range electric vehicle, but it is commonly referred to as a "series" hybrid, meaning that it runs exclusively on electric energy until the battery is depleted, after which a gasoline motor powers the battery. This makes the Chevy Volt incredibly convenient for long trips, as owners don't need to worry about finding a charging station.
The Volt's battery is relatively small, typically between 16 and 18.4 kWh. This means that it can be recharged using a standard home plug, the same as one would use for a TV or blender. However, the downside is that the battery needs to be refuelled more frequently to avoid using the gas engine. Chevy offers an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty against defaults or extreme degradation of the high-voltage battery.
The Chevy Volt can be charged using a standard 120-volt charging cord that comes with the vehicle. This Level 1 charging cord can be plugged into any standard wall socket, but it provides the slowest charge. For faster charging, many owners upgrade to a Level 2 charging system, which is at least twice as fast as Level 1 and allows for a full recharge in less time. Level 2 chargers are available at most public charging stations and can also be installed at home.
While the Chevy Volt doesn't offer fast-charging capabilities, this isn't a major concern for PHEV owners. This is because the vehicle can conveniently switch to the car's gas-powered engine when the electric motor has a low charge. Therefore, Volt owners don't need to worry about finding a charging station on long road trips, as they can rely on the gas engine if needed. This flexibility has helped many people make the switch to electric vehicles, as they can enjoy the benefits of electric power while still having the convenience of gas when required.
Battery Voltage in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Understanding the Basics
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Volt is a series hybrid, running on electric energy until the battery is depleted
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle that runs on electric energy until its battery is depleted. It is considered an extended-range electric vehicle by Chevy and is commonly referred to as a series hybrid. This means that the Volt operates as a pure battery-electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a certain level. At this point, its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range. The Volt was the first series hybrid produced by a major automotive company and has received numerous awards for its innovation and performance.
The Volt's battery size is relatively small, typically between 16 and 18.4 kWh. This allows for a more compact design and the convenience of recharging using a standard household plug. However, a smaller battery also means more frequent refuelling to avoid relying on the gas engine. The Volt's electric range varies depending on the model year, with EPA ratings of 38 to 53 miles of all-electric range when new. When the battery runs out of charge, the gasoline engine kicks in, and the Volt can achieve over 300 miles of combined electric and generator range.
One of the Volt's standout features is its ability to recapture energy through regenerative braking, similar to other hybrid vehicles. This regenerative braking system contributes to on-board electricity generation, enhancing the vehicle's efficiency. Additionally, the Volt offers two separate MPGe ratings: one for electric efficiency and one for gas efficiency. The electric MPGe ranges from 94 to 106, while the gas efficiency is 37 for first-generation models and 42 for second-generation models.
The Chevrolet Volt has been praised for its impressive all-electric range, prompt acceleration, and solid handling. It provides a satisfying driving experience and has been well-received by consumers, with many appreciating the flexibility of the hybrid motor and the low operation and maintenance costs. The Volt was a cutting-edge EV when it was introduced in 2011, offering a combined range of electric and generator power that was previously unseen in its price range.
The Heavyweight EVs: Largest Battery Packs in Electric Cars
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Volt is one of the highest-rated cars by Recurrent
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle that is EPA-rated for either 38 or 53 miles of all-electric range when new, depending on the model year. Chevy considers the Volt an extended-range electric, but it is commonly referred to as a "series" hybrid, meaning that it runs on exclusively electric energy until the battery is depleted, after which a gasoline motor powers the battery. It was the first series hybrid made by a major automotive company and has won many awards, including the 2009 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, and 2011 World Green Car.
Volt is one of Recurrent's highest-rated cars, with drivers praising the flexibility of the hybrid motor and the low operation and maintenance costs. The Volt's battery size is between 16 and 18.4 kWh, which is relatively small for a hybrid vehicle. This smaller battery can be recharged using a standard home plug, but it may need to be refuelled more frequently to avoid using the gas engine. The Volt also recaptures energy from regenerative braking, which helps improve its energy efficiency.
The Chevy Volt offers two separate MPGe ratings: one for its electric efficiency and one for its gas efficiency. For electric, the MPGe is 94, 98, or 106, depending on the model year, with efficiency improving in later models. The gas efficiency is 37 for first-generation Volts and 42 for second-generation. In terms of miles per kWh, a measurement that only applies to electric cars, the Volt has an average to high rating of 2.78 - 3.23 miles per kWh.
Most drivers of the Volt prefer to drive in all-electric mode, but the small battery means that recharging is needed after 30-50 miles. This can be done using a standard household plug, but it may take up to 12 hours. The Volt's flexibility and efficiency have made it a popular choice, and it was one of the first hybrid vehicles to offer a combination of electric and gas power.
Encouraging Electric Vehicle Ownership: Government Incentives and Actions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle.
The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a certain level. After that, its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range.
The Chevy Volt has an EPA-rated electric range of 38 to 53 miles when new, depending on the model year.
The Chevy Volt offers the flexibility of a hybrid motor and low operation and maintenance costs. It also eliminates the need to worry about finding a charging station on long road trips.
Yes, the Chevy Volt received numerous awards, including the 2011 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal, the 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award in the electric car category, and the 2016 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal for the second-generation Volt.
![2PCS Car Seat Gap Filler Organizer with Phone Holder,[Upgrade Version] Car Seat Gap Organizer for Prevent Falling,Essential Car Accessories Car Side Seat Gap Filler (Black)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pZN-ai9dL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
