Amazingly, the launch came off with nary a hitch. It was an entirely new approach to automotive propulsion. That’s because, as noted above, the Volt wasn’t just a new car. The automaker had invested a major chunk of its scarce resources into the new model’s development and production, so the stakes were high. When the first Chevrolet Volts starting rolling into showrooms, GM was just emerging from its 2009 bankruptcy. Accordingly, GM calls it an “extended-range electric vehicle.” Whatever you call it, it works remarkably well.ġst Generation Chevrolet Volt (2011-2015) In other words, the Volt uses electricity as its primary source of power, with a gasoline engine to generate additional juice as needed. While the engine is capable of driving the wheels directly, it does so only under specific circumstances, such as at higher speeds with a low level of charge. It runs primarily on electric current, drawn either from its battery pack or its onboard four-cylinder engine. Where most PHEVs (such as the Toyota Prius Prime) use electric power to supplement an internal combustion engine, the Volt does the opposite. How? Instead of making it a pure battery-electric vehicle like the EV1, GM designed the Volt as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) - and a unique one at that. Unlike the EV1, which only had room for two and could (initially) travel just 55 miles per charge, the Volt seats four and boasts over 300 miles of range. GM was still feeling the sting from the flop of its first electric vehicle, the too-early-for-its-time EV1 (1997-99), and they engineered the Volt to ensure its success wouldn’t be hampered by a lack of range or utility. While the Chevrolet Volt may seem rather mainstream these days, it was one of the most revolutionary cars on the road when it debuted. And thanks to deprecation, excellent used examples are now available for as little as $10,000.īut which is the best Chevy Volt to buy? And are there any problem areas to avoid? We explore that and more in this detailed buyer’s guide. After nearly a decade of production spanning two generations, there are plenty of Volts available for sale on the used market. The qualities that made the Volt a popular new car - its outstanding fuel efficiency, robust engineering, and affordable price - make it an even better used one. It quickly became America’s best-selling EV, a crown which it held for many years, only recently ceding it to the Tesla Model 3. No wonder the Volt was a hit, racking up an impressive list of kudos, including North American Car of the Year and World Green Car, and landing a spot on Car and Driver’s 10Best list, the first electrically powered car to do so. Yet you could buy it for just $32,495 (after federal incentives). GM reportedly spent a billion dollars developing the car. The Detroit-designed and -built compact sedan offered sharp looks, room for four, and an innovative hybrid-electric powertrain that could travel well over 300 miles without a refill. EV sales for the year totaled just 17,000 units.Įnter the Chevrolet Volt. And the sole Tesla model available was the two-seat, Lotus-based Roadster with a price tag over $100,000. The sales leader at the time was the original Nissan Leaf, boasting about 85 miles of range. Roll the clock back to 2011, and you’ll find only a handful of electric vehicles (EVs) on the market. MaBy Mark Holthoff Chevrolet Volt: Model History and Buyer’s Guide
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