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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric car produced by General Motors and sold under the Chevrolet brand from the 2011 to 2019 model years.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric car produced by General Motors and sold under the Chevrolet brand from the 2011 to 2019 model years. It used an electric drivetrain with a gasoline engine acting as a generator for extended range, and it was also sold in rebadged or related versions in several overseas markets. The Volt was designed to operate primarily on electric power before the gasoline generator was needed.

Overview

The Chevrolet Volt was a compact plug-in hybrid developed by General Motors and sold by Chevrolet as a production electric vehicle with gasoline backup. It became one of the best-known early mass-market electrified cars in North America.

Powertrain and range

The Volt used an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack for normal driving, while a gasoline engine powered a generator when the battery was depleted. Sources describe the model as having an all-electric driving range in the rough 35 to 53 mile range depending on generation and rating method.

Generations and production

The Volt was produced in two generations, with the first launched for the 2011 model year and the second arriving later in the decade. General Motors ended Volt production in February 2019.

General Motors sold the vehicle or closely related versions under different nameplates in other regions, including the Holden Volt, Opel Ampera, Vauxhall Ampera, and Buick Velite 5. These variants used market-specific styling or branding while sharing the same basic concept.

Key facts

  • The Chevrolet Volt was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle produced from 2011 to 2019.
  • It used an electric drivetrain with a gasoline engine as a generator for extended range.
  • Two generations were produced, with the second offering higher electric-only range.
  • Related versions were sold under other brands including Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, and Buick.
  • The Volt was sold in Canada and became a notable early plug-in hybrid for Canadian drivers.
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Canadian context

The Chevrolet Volt was sold in Canada and became a notable early plug-in hybrid for Canadian drivers interested in electric commuting with gasoline backup.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of vehicle was the Chevrolet Volt?
It was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with an electric drivetrain and a gasoline engine used as a generator for extended range.
When was the Chevrolet Volt produced?
It was produced from the 2011 to 2019 model years, and production ended in February 2019.
Was the Chevrolet Volt fully electric?
No. It could drive on electric power alone for a limited range, but it also had a gasoline engine that generated electricity for longer trips.
How many generations of the Volt were made?
Two generations were produced.
Was the Volt sold outside North America?
Yes. It was also sold in related or rebadged forms such as the Holden Volt, Opel Ampera, Vauxhall Ampera, and Buick Velite 5.
Why is the Volt often called an EREV?
General Motors and some reviewers described it as an extended-range electric vehicle because it was designed to run as an EV first and use gasoline only when needed.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt
    Supports: Production years, two generations, rebadged variants, and February 2019 end of production.
  2. Rechargedhttps://recharged.com/articles/general-motors-chevy-volt-guide
    Supports: General concept, extended-range electric vehicle description, and generation overview.
  3. CNEThttps://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/the-chevy-volt-actually-exists-and-we-drove-it/
    Supports: Electric drivetrain, gasoline generator function, and extended-range operation.
  4. J.D. Powerhttps://www.jdpower.com/cars/history/chevrolet/volt
    Supports: Mass-produced plug-in hybrid description, concept-to-production history, and range.
  5. Car and Driverhttps://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/volt-2017
    Supports: Second-generation electric-only range and general model context.
  6. Car and Driverhttps://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15106092/2016-chevrolet-volt-plug-in-hybrid-test-review/
    Supports: Comparison of first- and second-generation electric range.