Chevrolet Volt#Concept vehicle

{{Short description|Range extended electric automobile (2010–2019)}}

{{Infobox electric vehicle

| name = Chevrolet Volt

| image = 2011 Chevrolet Volt -- NHTSA 1.jpg

| caption = 2012 Chevrolet Volt

| manufacturer = General Motors

| production = November 2010 – February 2019

| model_years = 2011–2019

| class = Compact car (C)

| body_style = 5-door liftback

| layout = Front-engine, front-wheel drive

}}

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle car that was manufactured by General Motors, and also marketed in rebadged variants as the Holden Volt in Australia and New Zealand and the Buick Velite 5 in China, and with a different fascia as the Vauxhall Ampera in the United Kingdom and as the Opel Ampera in the remainder of Europe. Volt production ended in February 2019. While similar in some ways to hybrid vehicles, the Chevy Volt is an electric car with an onboard gasoline generator.

Sales of the 2011 Volt began in the United States in mid-December 2010, followed by some European countries and other international markets in 2011. Global combined Volt/Ampera-family sales totaled about 177,000 units by the end of October 2018. The U.S. was the leading market, with 157,054 Volts delivered through the end of 2019, followed by Canada with 16,653 Volts sold through September 2018. Just over 10,000 Opel/Vauxhall Ampera cars had been sold in Europe {{as of|2016|06|lc=y}}. Until December 2018, the Volt/Ampera family of vehicles was the world's bestselling plug-in hybrid vehicle. When it was discontinued, the Chevrolet Volt was still listed as the top-selling plug-in hybrid in the American market.

The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a predetermined threshold from full charge. From there, its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range as needed. While running on gasoline at high speeds the engine may be mechanically linked (by a clutch) to the car's gearbox, improving efficiency by 10% to 15%. The Volt's regenerative braking also contributes to the on-board electricity generation. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the 2013{{nbnd}}15 model year Volt all-electric range is {{convert|38|mi|abbr=on}}, with a combined electric mode/gasoline-only rating of {{Convert|62|mpgus|abbr=on}} equivalent (MPG equivalent).

The second-generation Volt's improved battery system and drivetrain increased the all-electric range to {{Convert|53|mi}}, its EPA-rated fuel economy in charge-sustaining mode to {{Convert|42|mpgUS|abbr=on}}, and the combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode to 106 MPG-e, up from 98 MPG-e. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. and Canada began in October 2015 as a 2016 model year.

The Volt won several 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.

First generation (2010–2015)

{{Multiple image

| image1 = 2011 Chevrolet Volt 2 -- 04-21-2010.jpg

| image2 = Chevy Volt EDTA DC 04 2011 1836.jpg

| caption2 = 2011 Chevrolet Volt

| direction = vertical

| total_width = 220

}}

The production design model officially unveiled on September 16, 2008, as part of General Motors (GM) centennial celebration at the Wintergarden headquarters in Detroit.{{cite web|url=http://www.prefix.com/Downloads/Volt.pdf|title=Chevrolet Volt Leads General Motors into Its Second Century|date=September 16, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2009|publisher=General Motors Company|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324034213/http://www.prefix.com/Downloads/Volt.pdf|archive-date=March 24, 2012}} The production model differed greatly in design from the original concept car. The carmaker cited necessary aerodynamic changes needed to reduce the concept car's high drag coefficient of {{Cd|0.43}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/automobiles/21AERO.html?pagewanted=1 |title=Edgy, Yet Still Aerodynamic |last=Patton |first=Phil |work=The New York Times |date=December 19, 2008 |access-date=May 15, 2011}} down to {{Cd|0.28}},{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Don|title=2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2011-chevrolet-cruze-eco-page-3|work=Car and Driver|access-date=February 21, 2012|date=September 2011}} still higher than the Toyota Prius {{Cd|0.25}}. Another reason was the use of General Motors's new global compact vehicle platform Delta II to keep costs reasonable, and shared with the 2010 model year Chevrolet Cruze.{{Sfn|Edsall|2010|p=71}} Another significant difference from the concept car was the seating, as the production Volt seats four rather than five passengers. This change was due to the higher-than-usual central tunnel that runs from the front console to the rear seat that houses the car's T-shaped battery pack.{{cite news |last=Motavalli |first=Jim |date=September 21, 2008 |title=G.M. Tones Down the Volt |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEED9113DF932A1575AC0A96E9C8B63 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 15, 2011}}

After the concept was put into the pipeline for production, GM began looking for a partner to develop the Volt's lithium-ion battery pack. The carmaker evaluated about 25 battery cell chemistries and constructions from around two dozen lithium-ion battery makers around the world.{{Sfn|Edsall|2010|pp=48–57}} Due to their more promising cell technologies, two companies were selected in June 2007, Compact Power (CPI), which uses a lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) cell made by its parent company, LG Chemical; and Continental Automotive Systems, which uses lithium iron phosphate based cylindrical cells made by A123Systems.{{Sfn|Edsall|2010|pp=48–57}}{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/breaking-gm-awards-two-battery-development-contracts-for-chevy/|date=June 5, 2007|title=GM awards two battery development contracts for Chevy Volt|work=AutoblogGreen |last=Abuelsamid |first=Sam}}{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}} By the end of October 2007 CPI (LG Chem) delivered their finished battery pack prototypes, and A123 delivered theirs by January 2008. GM's testing process was conducted at the laboratory the carmaker had created for the GM EV1 program. The battery packs included monitoring systems designed to keep the batteries cool and operating at optimum capacity despite a wide range of ambient temperatures.{{Sfn|Edsall|2010|pp=48–57}}{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}} To ensure the battery pack would last 10 years and {{Convert|150000|mi}} expected for the battery warranty, the Volt team decided to use only half of the {{val|16|ul=kWh}} capacity to reduce the rate of capacity degradation, limiting the state of charge (SOC) up to 80% of capacity and never depleting the battery below 30%.{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~thb/Publications/POWER14185_nocover.pdf|title=Investigation of battery end-of-life conditions for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles|last1=Wood|first1=Eric|last2=Alexander|first2=Marcus|last3=Bradley|first3=Thomas H.|journal=Journal of Power Sources|pages=5147–5154|year=2011|volume=196|access-date=May 22, 2011|doi=10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.02.025|issue=11|bibcode=2011JPS...196.5147W|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929002955/http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~thb/Publications/POWER14185_nocover.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2011|url-status=dead}} See p. 5149. GM also expected the battery to withstand 5,000 full discharges without losing more than 10% of its charge capacity.{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}} According to GM, {{asof|2016|08|lc=y}}, no batteries had been changed due to degradation.{{cite news |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/07/27/gm-build-phev-batteries-china-cadillac-ct6/ |title=GM will likely build PHEV batteries in China soon |first=Sebastian |last=Blanco |work=Autoblog |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016}}

File:Chevy Volt and Cruze Eco 2011.jpg (right)]]

In April 2008 GM started extensive battery testing. In two years, the carmaker put the battery packs to the equivalent of 150,000 real-world miles (240,000 km) and 10 years of use.{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}} The durability of the battery pack was tested for a broad range of extreme ambient conditions including a shaker table to simulate potholes and a thermal chamber, to simulate temperatures varying from {{Convert|116|F|C|abbr=on}}, typical of the Southwest deserts, to {{Convert|-40|F|C|abbr=on}} typical of the Alaskan tundra.{{Sfn|Edsall|2010|pp=48–57}} In April 2008 the lithium-ion battery pack was placed in Chevrolet Malibus fitted with the Volt powertrain to be used as test mules for further real-world testing.{{Sfn|Fletcher|2011|pp=84–89}}{{cite web|last=Blanco|first=Sebastian|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/03/gms-chevy-volt-update-all-systems-go-malibu-based-mules-comin/|title=GM's Chevy Volt update: All systems go, Malibu-based li-ion mules coming soon|work=AutoblogGreen|date=April 3, 2008|access-date=October 23, 2010}} In October 2008, GM chose CPI (LG Chemical) to provide the battery systems for the first production version of the Volt.{{cite news |first=Soyoung |last=Kim |title=LG Chem to supply GM Volt batteries |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssChemicalsCommodity/idUSN2239779020081022?sp=trueh |work=Reuters|date=October 22, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2009}}{{cite web |first=Drew |last=Johnson |title=GM inks Chevrolet Volt battery contract |url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-inks-chevrolet-volt-battery-contract.html |date=October 24, 2008 |work=Leftlane |access-date=August 11, 2009 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211641/https://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-inks-chevrolet-volt-battery-contract.html |url-status=dead }} In July 2008, GM confirmed that a non-turbocharged, 1.4 L 4-cylinder engine would be used as the range extender, and that the intention was to build it in Flint, Michigan.{{cite news|last=Lawlor |first=Joe |url=http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/07/general_motors_confirms_intent.html |title=General Motors confirms intention to manufacture engine for battery-powered Volt in Flint |newspaper=The Flint Journal |date=July 28, 2009 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090123113933/http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/07/general_motors_confirms_intent.html |archive-date=January 23, 2009}} In April 2009, General Motors let journalists test the Volt powertrain without the range-extending generator in the body of Chevrolet Cruze sedans that GM used as test mules at the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.{{cite magazine|last=Squatriglia|first=Chuck|title=Billion-Dollar Baby: We Drive the Chevrolet Volt|url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/04/billion-dollar-baby-we-drive-the-chevrolet-volt/|magazine=Wired|access-date=February 21, 2012|date=April 28, 2009}}

The first pre-production test car based on the final Volt design was built in June 2009, in Warren, Michigan,{{cite web|url=http://gm-volt.com/2009/03/25/gms-response-to-the-gm-voltcom-first-chevy-volt-to-be-built-post-and-comments|title=GM's Response to the GM-Volt.com First Chevy Volt to be Built Post and Comments|work=GM-VOLT: Chevy Volt Electric Car Site|date=March 25, 2009|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329050344/http://gm-volt.com/2009/03/25/gms-response-to-the-gm-voltcom-first-chevy-volt-to-be-built-post-and-comments/|archive-date=March 29, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Motavalli |first=Jim |date=June 2, 2009 |title=G.M. Says Chevy Volt Is Still on Track |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/gm-says-chevy-volt-is-still-on-track/ |newspaper=The New York Times |at=Wheels |access-date=June 2, 2009}} and by October 2009, 80 Volts had been built and were tested under various conditions.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/business/12auto.html|title=G.M. Puts Electric Car's City Mileage in Triple Digits |work=The New York Times |date=August 11, 2009|access-date=August 11, 2009 |first1=Bill|last1=Vlasic | first2=Nick | last2=Bunkley}} On March 31, 2010, the first factory-built Volt was produced at the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant to test the production line and for quality control purposes, both of the tooling and the pre-production vehicles produced before regular production began.{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/03/gm-finishes-building-first-chevy-volt-battery-car-using-production-tooling-says-the-practice-run-was-ok/1|title=GM builds first Chevy Volt, says production line practice run OK |work=USA Today|date=March 31, 2010|access-date=April 5, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/04/volt-20100402.html|title=First Pre-Production Chevy Volt Rolls Off Line|work=Green Car Congress|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=April 5, 2010}}

Tony Posawatz was the Volt Vehicle Line Director from 2006 to 2012,{{cite web |last=Chapman |first=Mary M. |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Fisker Appoints Tony Posawatz, a Chief With Complementary Roots |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/fisker-names-tony-posawatz-who-led-development-of-chevy-volt-its-new-chief-executive/ |work=The New York Times |at=Wheels |access-date=December 28, 2012}} and he was known as employee #1 and led the team from concept to production.{{cite web|url=http://events.ntpshow.com/evs26/CUSTOM/images/PDF/PosawatzTony-bio.pdf|title=Anthony L. Posawatz, P. E.|publisher=World Electric Vehicle Association|access-date=January 6, 2014|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509165323/http://events.ntpshow.com/evs26/CUSTOM/images/PDF/PosawatzTony-bio.pdf|archive-date=May 9, 2013}}

File:Chevrolet Volt WAS 2011 946.JPG

General Motors held a ceremony at its Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant on November 30, 2010, to introduce the first Chevrolet Volt off the assembly line. The first Volt built for retail sale was earmarked for display at GM's Heritage Center museum in Sterling Heights, Michigan.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/business/energy-environment/01volt.html?ref=automobiles|title=G.M. to Hire 1,000 to Engineer More Electric Cars |last=Vlasic |first=Bill |work=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=November 30, 2010}} The second unit was offered at a public auction, with an opening bid of {{USD|50,000}} and it was won by Rick Hendrick who paid {{USD|225,000}}. The proceeds went to fund mathematics and sciences education in Detroit through the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.{{cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/rick-hendrick-wins-first-retail-chevy-volt-for-225-000/ |title=Rick Hendrick Wins First Retail Chevy Volt for $225,000 |website=Autoblog |publisher=AOL |date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=December 17, 2010}} Deliveries to retail customers in the United States began in mid December 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/retrospective-four-years-of-nissan-leaf-and-chevy-volt/|title=Retrospective: Four Years of Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt |author=Jeff Cobb|publisher=HybridCars.com|date=December 10, 2014|access-date=December 10, 2014}} Volt deliveries began in Canada in September 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/chevy-brings-electric-volt-to-canada-1.1025988|title=Chevy brings electric Volt to Canada|agency=The Canadian Press|publisher=CBC News|date=September 1, 2011|access-date=September 22, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/130147388.html|title=Eager customer takes delivery of Chevy Volt in Burnaby|author=Wanda Chow|work=Burnaby NewsLeader News|date=September 19, 2011|access-date=September 22, 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923192725/http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/130147388.html|archive-date=September 23, 2011}} The first deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt in Europe took place in November 2011.{{cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/u-s-embassy-in-france-buys-four-chevy-volts/|title=U.S. Embassy in France Buys Four Chevy Volts|author=William Diem|work=The New York Times|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=December 12, 2011}} The European version of the Volt, the Opel Ampera, was released to retail customers in Europe in February 2012.{{cite web|url=http://media.opel.com/media/intl/en/opel/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/intl/en/2012/opel/02_21_opel_ampera_first_customer|title=Opel Ampera: First Customers Take Delivery|author=Opel Media|work=Opel Europe|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2012}} Deliveries of the right-hand drive Vauxhall Ampera in the UK began in May 2012.{{cite news|url=http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111212/ANE/111209860/1193 |title=Opel delays Ampera deliveries to customers on battery worries |author=David Jolley |work=Automotive NewsEurope |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=December 12, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Holden Volt was released in Australia in December 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.ev-sales.blogspot.com.br/2016/01/austria-december-2015.html |title=Austria December 2015 | first=Jose |last=Pontes|publisher=EVSales.com|date=January 26, 2015|access-date=April 9, 2015}}

Second generation (2016–2019)

{{main|Chevrolet Volt (second generation)}}{{Multiple image

| image1 = 2018 Chevrolet Volt, front 2.29.20.jpg

| image2 = 2018 Chevrolet Volt, rear 2.29.20.jpg

| caption2 = 2018 Chevrolet Volt

| direction = vertical

| total_width = 220

}}

The second generation Chevrolet Volt was unveiled at the January 2015 North American International Auto Show.{{cite news|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/01/next-gen-chevy-volt-erev-is-more-efficient-with-50-mile-electric-range.html|title=Next-gen Chevy Volt EREV is more efficient, with 50-mile electric range|author=Mike Millikin |work=Green Car Congress |date=January 12, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2015}} Retail deliveries began in the United States and Canada in October 2015 as a 2016 model year, with 1,324 units delivered in the U.S. that month.{{cite news|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/2016-volts-account-for-1324-sales-out-of-2035-october-deliveries/|title=2016 Volts Account For 1,324 Sales Out Of 2,035 October Deliveries|author=Jeff Cobb|work=HybridCars.com|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=November 3, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100803_plug-in-electric-car-sales-in-canada-october-2015-the-wallet-ballot|title=Plug-in Electric Car Sales in Canada, October 2015: The Wallet Ballot|first=Matthew |last=Klippenstein |publisher=Green Car Reports|date=November 6, 2015|access-date=November 7, 2015}} Availability in the American market was limited to California and the other 10 states that follow California's zero emission vehicle regulations. GM scheduled the second generation as a 2017 model year to be released in the 39 remaining states by early 2016. Manufacturing of the 2017 MY Volt began in February 2016, and the first units arrived at dealerships at the end of February 2016. The 2017 model complied with stricter Tier 3 emissions requirements and was available nationwide.{{cite web| url=http://insideevs.com/2017-chevrolet-volt-arrives-dealerships-deals-announced/ |title=2017 Chevrolet Volt Arrives at Dealerships, Deals Announced |first=Steven |last=Loveday |publisher=InsideEVs.com|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}

The second generation Volt had an upgraded powertrain with a 1.5-liter engine that uses regular gasoline; the 18.4 kWh battery pack had new chemistry that stored 20% more electrical energy using fewer cells, 192 compared with 288 on the 2014 Volt. It had a new power controller that was integrated with the motor housing; the electric motors weighed {{Convert|100|lb|abbr=on}} less and used smaller amounts of rare earth metals. GM engineers explained that the second generation Volt was developed with extensive input from Volt owners.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/automobiles/chevrolet-unveils-new-volt-powertrain.html?|title=New Volt Will Have Improved Powertrain and Longer Range|author=Lindsay Brooke|work=The New York Times|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/10/28/chevrolet-volt-gm-general-motors-ceo-mary-barra/18053171/ |title= GM CEO: 2016 Volt gets U.S. drivetrain, Detroit debut|author1=Mark Phelan |author2=Greg Gardner |work= USA Today |date= November 1, 2014 |access-date= October 28, 2014}}

The improvements allowed the 2016 Volt to deliver better EPA ratings than the first generation model. The all-electric range was rated at {{Convert|53|mi|abbr=on}}, up from {{Convert|38|mi|abbr=on}} attained by the 2015 Volt. The gains in efficiency allowed the second generation to improve its combined fuel economy in gasoline-only (charge-sustaining) mode to {{Convert|42|mpgUS|abbr=on}}, up from {{Convert|37|mpgUS|abbr=on}} for the previous model. The second generation rating for combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode was 106 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe; 2.2{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km), up from 98{{nbsp}}MPGe (2.4{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km) for the 2015 first generation model.{{cite news|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/2016-chevrolet-volt-rated-for-53-miles-electric-range/|title=2016 Chevrolet Volt Rated For 53 Miles Electric Range|author=Jeff Cobb|publisher=HybridCars.com|date=August 4, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=36863&id=35246|title=Compare Side-by-Side – 2016/2015 Chevrolet Volt|publisher=Fueleconomy.gov|author=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=September 2, 2015}} The combined gasoline-electricity fuel economy rating of the 2016 model year Volt was {{Convert|77|mpgus|abbr=on}} equivalent, 82{{nbsp}}MPGe (2.9{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km) in city driving and 72{{nbsp}}MPGe (3.3{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km) in highway.{{cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.jsp|title=Fueleconomy.gov's Top Fuel Sippers (EPA Ratings, All Years)

|publisher=fueleconomy.gov|author=U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=December 5, 2015}} Excludes all-electric vehicles. Click on the tab "Top Fuel Sippers (EPA Ratings, All Years)" – The 2013–2014 Chevrolet Volt has a combined fuel economy of 62{{nbsp}}MPGe (3.8{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km), while 2016 Volt has a combined fuel economy of 77{{nbsp}}MPGe (3.0{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km). The BMW i3 REx has a combined fuel economy of 88{{nbsp}}MPGe (2.7{{nbsp}}Le/100{{nbsp}}km) Both the all-electric range and fuel economy ratings are the same for the 2017 model year Volt.{{cite web|url= http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=37309&id=36863 |title=Compare Side-by-Side – 2017/2016 Chevrolet Volt|publisher=Fueleconomy.gov|author=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy|date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2016}}

The second-generation Volt seats five rather than four, as in the first generation.

File:Chevrolet Volt WAS 2017 1516.jpg 1.5{{nbsp}}L gasoline-powered engine (left) and power inverter on top of the traction electric motor (right).]]

In April 2013, CEO Daniel Akerson announced that GM expected the second generation Volt to be priced on the order of {{USD|7,000}} to {{USD|10,000}} lower than the 2013 model year with the same features.{{cite web |url=http://insideevs.com/gm-ceo-chevrolet-volt-price-to-drop-by-7000-to-10000-for-next-gen/ |title=GM CEO: Chevrolet Volt Price To Drop By $7,000 to $10,000 For Next Gen |last=Cole |first=Jay |work=InsideEVs.com |date=April 30, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} The 2016 Volt pricing started at {{USD|33,170}} before any government incentives, plus {{USD|825}} for destination. The starting price was {{USD|1,175}} lower than the 2015 Volt.{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1098130_2016-chevrolet-volt-priced-from-33995-or-1195-lower-than-2015-volt|title=2016 Chevrolet Volt Priced From $33,995, Or $1,175 Lower Than 2015 Volt|author=John Voelcker|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=May 3, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}} In California, order books for the second generation Volt were opened on May 28, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/27/2016-chevy-volt-orders-start-tomorrow/|title=Chevy Volt orders start tomorrow|author=Chris Bruce|publisher=Autoblog.com|date=May 27, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}}

In July 2014, Opel announced that due to a slowdown in sales, they would discontinue the Ampera after the launch of the second generation Volt—and that between 2014 and 2018, Opel planned to introduce a successor electric vehicle in Europe.{{cite news|url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20140723/OEM04/140729943/opel-plans-electric-successor-to-ampera-plug-in-hybrid|title=Opel plans 'electric' successor to Ampera plug-in hybrid|author=Staff|work=Automotive News|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=July 23, 2014}} General Motors announced in February 2016 that the all-electric Opel Ampera-e hatchback would go into production in 2017. This is the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.{{cite news|url= http://fortune.com/2016/02/11/gm-chevy-bolt-opel-ampera-e/| title=GM Unveils an All-Electric Car for Europe |first=Kirsten |last=Korosec |work=Fortune |date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2016}}{{cite news | url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/02/12/opel-ampera-e-chevy-bolt-europe/#slide-3796659 |title= Opel Ampera-e brings a Bolt of EV driving to Europe |first= Chris |last= Bruce |work=Autoblog.com |date=February 12, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2016}}

In April 2015, General Motors confirmed that it would not build the second-generation Volt in right-hand-drive configuration. Only 246 units had been sold in Australia by mid-April 2015, and the Holden Volt was discontinued once the remaining stock was sold.{{cite news|url=http://www.caradvice.com.au/350518/the-holden-volt-is-dead/|title=The Holden Volt is dead|author= Mike Costello|work=Car Advice|date=April 25, 2015|access-date=April 26, 2015}}

Sales

class="wikitable"

|+Chevy Volt sales numbers{{Cite web |title=GM Authority: Chevrolet Volt Sales Numbers |url=https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevrolet/volt/chevrolet-volt-sales-numbers/ }}

!Calendar year

!USA

!Canada

2010

|326

|n/a

2011

|7,671

|n/a

2012

|23,461

|n/a

2013

|23,094

|n/a

2014

|18,805

|1,521

2015

|15,393

|1,463

2016

|24,739

|3,469

2017

|20,349

|4,313

2018

|18,306

|4,394

2019

|4,910

|1,958

2020

|71

Reception

= Awards and recognition =

The Volt received awards from multiple organizations:

U.S. organizations

2009 Green Car Vision Award by the Green Car Journal at the Washington Auto Show for "a bold and far-reaching approach that promises to bring an exceptionally fuel efficient model to consumers at reasonable cost."{{cite web |url=http://www.greencar.com/articles/innovative-chevy-volt-wins-2009-green-car-vision-award.php |work=Green Car Journal |title=Innovative Chevy Volt Wins 2009 Green Car Vision Award |date=April 2, 2009 |access-date=March 29, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722072129/http://www.greencar.com/articles/innovative-chevy-volt-wins-2009-green-car-vision-award.php |archive-date=July 22, 2009 }}
2011 Car and Driver Ten Best Cars. For the first time ever Car and Driver magazine included an electrically powered car among its 10 best.{{cite web |url=http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q4/2011_10best_cars-10best_cars|title=2011 10Best Cars – 10Best Cars|work=Car and Driver|date=November 2010|access-date=November 24, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125071308/http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q4/2011_10best_cars-10best_cars|archive-date=November 25, 2010}}

File:Volt MT COTY WAS 2011 835.JPG award.]]

2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year. The magazine commented that "In the 61-year history of the Car of the Year award, there have been few contenders as hyped – or as controversial – as the Chevrolet Volt."{{cite web|title=2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Chevrolet Volt |url=http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/1101_2011_motor_trend_car_of_the_year_chevrolet_volt/index.html|work=Motor Trend|last=MacKenzie |first=Angus |access-date=November 16, 2010}}
2011 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. The magazine editors explained that "This award welcomes a new genre of mass-production electric vehicles to the consumer market, with the Volt as the first-ever electric vehicle to take top prize."{{cite web|title=Chevrolet Volt Electric Car is 2011 Green Car of the Year|url=http://www.greencar.com/articles/chevrolet-volt-electric-car-2011-green-car-year.php|work=Green Car Journal|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=November 18, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124054434/http://www.greencar.com/articles/chevrolet-volt-electric-car-2011-green-car-year.php|archive-date=November 24, 2010}}
2011 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. The editors commented that the Volt "...is genuinely an all-new car, in the most simplistic sense as well as in the greater notion that the Volt is unlike any vehicle we have ever driven."{{cite news|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1101_2011_automobile_of_the_year_chevrolet_volt/index.html|title=2011 Automobile of the Year: Chevrolet Volt |last=Tingwall |first=Eric Tingwall|work=Automobile Magazine|date=January 2011|access-date=November 18, 2010}}
2011 North American Car of the Year announced at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. Forty-nine American and Canadian automobile writers chose the Volt. The nominees were judged based on "innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value".{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/political-economy/2011/01/chevrolet_volt_named_car_of_th.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114110745/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/political-economy/2011/01/chevrolet_volt_named_car_of_th.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 14, 2011 |title=Chevrolet Volt named Car of the Year |last=Whoriskey |first=Peter |newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|date=January 11, 2011|access-date=January 11, 2011}}
Listed among the 2011 Greenest Vehicles of the Year by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.{{cite press release |url=http://www.greenercars.org/Green%20Book%202011%20Press%20FINAL.pdf |title=Latest Technology Place but Don't Win in this Year's Greenest Vehicles List |work=GreenCars.org |author= |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303151005/http://greenercars.org/Green%20Book%202011%20Press%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.plugincars.com/chevy-volt-barely-makes-2011-list-top-12-greenest-vehicles-106816.html|title=Chevy Volt Barely Makes 2011 List of Greenest Vehicles|work=PluginCars.com |last=Berman |first=Brad |date=February 15, 2011|access-date=February 15, 2011}}
Listed among the 2011 Best Green Cars by Mother Earth News.{{cite web|url=http://www.motherearthnews.com/2011-best-green-cars-zm0z11zroc.aspx |title=Best Green Cars, 2011|work=Mother Earth News|date=May 2011|access-date=February 8, 2012}} June–July 2011 issue
2011 Edison Award – Gold in the Transportation Category, Personal Transportation Segment.{{cite web|url=http://www.edisonawards.com/Winners2011.php|title=The 2011 Edison Awards Winners|work=Edison Awards|access-date=April 7, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/07/ford-2011-edison-awards-chevy-volt-wins-gold-video/|title=Ford cleans up at 2011 Edison Awards, Chevy Volt wins Gold [w/video]|work=AutoblogGreen|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=April 7, 2011}}
2012 Best Resale Value Award in the category of electric cars by Kelley Blue Book.{{cite web|url=http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-electric-car/|title=2012 Best Resale Value Awards: Electric Car – Best Electric Car: 2012 Chevrolet Volt|author=|work=Kelley Blue Book|date=November 16, 2011|access-date=November 17, 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119011558/http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-electric-car/|archive-date=November 19, 2011}}
2011 The Volt ranked first in Consumer Reports' list of owner-satisfaction based on its 2011 Annual Auto Survey, with 93% respondents who owned the Volt saying they definitely would purchase that same vehicle again. The magazine noted that the Volt had been on sale for just a few months at the time of the survey, and also clarified that the survey took place before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation regarding the Volt's battery fire risk.{{cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/with-an-asterisk-chevrolet-volt-tops-consumer-reports-owner-satisfaction-survey/?ref=automobiles|title=With an Asterisk, Chevrolet Volt Tops Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Survey |first=Cheryl |last=Jensen|work=The New York Times|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=December 1, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/cr-recommended/would-you-buy-that-car-again/overview/index.htm|title=Owner satisfaction – Which cars would owners buy again? |work=Consumer Reports|access-date=December 1, 2011}}
2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award in the electric car category, granted by Kelley Blue Book for the lowest projected costs during the initial five-year ownership period in its category.{{cite web|url= http://www.marketwatch.com/story/kelley-blue-book-announces-inaugural-total-cost-of-ownership-award-winners-2012-02-08|title=Kelley Blue Book Announces Inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Award Winners|author=|work=Kelley Blue Book|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=February 8, 2012}}
2012 The Volt ranked first, for the second year in a row, in Consumer Reports' list of owner-satisfaction based on its 2012 Annual Auto Survey, with 92% respondents who owned the Volt saying they definitely would purchase that same vehicle again.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-consumerreports-volt-idUSBRE8AS0UL20121129 |title=Chevy Volt Tops Consumer Reports Most-Loved Car Survey Again |author= |work=Reuters |date=November 29, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172312/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-consumerreports-volt-idUSBRE8AS0UL20121129 |url-status=live }}
2016 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal (awarded to the second generation Volt). The Chevrolet Volt is the first model to receive this award more than once.{{cite news|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/19/2016-chevy-volt-green-car-year/|title=2016 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year |author=Sebastian Blanco|work=Autoblog Green |date=November 19, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2015}}

International organizations

File:2012-03-07 Motorshow Geneva 4265 trimmed.jpg logo at the Geneva Motor Show]]

2009 Festival Automobile International awarded the Grand Prize for Environment to the Volt.{{cite web|title=Chevrolet Volt wins the Grand Prix de l'Environnement 2009|url=http://media.gm.com/media/intl/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/intl/en/2009/Chevrolet/02_11_Chevrolet_wins|work=Chevrolet Europe Media|access-date=March 8, 2012|date=February 11, 2009}}
2011 World Green Car announced at the 2011 New York Auto Show.{{cite web|url=http://www.wcoty.com/web/media_release.asp?release=72&year=2011|title=Chevrolet Volt Declared 2011 World Green Car|work=World Car of the Year|date=April 21, 2011|access-date=April 21, 2011}}
2012 International Engine of the Year Award in the category of Green Engine, shared by the Opel Ampera and the Chevrolet Volt for their 1.4 L engine-based extended-range electric powertrain.{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/news/ampera-%E2%80%93-volt-duo-wins-green-engine-award-47148.html|title=Ampera – Volt Duo Wins Green Engine Award|first=Philippe|last=Crowe|work=HybridCars.com|date=June 15, 2012|access-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617071140/http://www.hybridcars.com/news/ampera-%E2%80%93-volt-duo-wins-green-engine-award-47148.html|archive-date=June 17, 2012|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/green_engine.php|title=Green Engine: General Motors 1.4 litre range-extender|work=International Engine of the Year Award|access-date=June 17, 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205115009/http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/green_engine.php|archive-date=February 5, 2013}}

European organizations

2011 Overall Winner of What Car? Green Awards, granted by the UK magazine to the Vauxhall Ampera.{{cite web|url=http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-green-awards-2011/overall-winner/258844|title=What Car? Green Awards 2011 – Overall Winner|work=What Car?|date=September 7, 2011|access-date=February 8, 2012}}
2011 Top Gear's "Green Car of the Year 2011" to the Vauxhall Ampera.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/10/15/vauxhall-ampera-scoops-another-green-car-of-the-year-award/|title=Vauxhall Ampera scoops another Green Car of the Year award|last=Lucas|first=Paul|work=The Green Car website|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=December 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102182932/http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/10/15/vauxhall-ampera-scoops-another-green-car-of-the-year-award/|archive-date=November 2, 2012|url-status = dead}}
2012 Car of the Year in Denmark. In October 2011, 18 Danish motor journalists chose the Opel Ampera as "Car of the Year 2012" by a wide margin, despite being more expensive than the family cars the award usually goes to.{{cite news|author=Steen Bachmann|url=http://bilmagasinet.dk/article/78864-uventet-karing-opel-ampera-er-arets-bil-i-danmark-2012|title=Uventet kåring: Opel Ampera er Årets Bil i Danmark 2012|work=Bil Magasinet|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=October 14, 2011|language=da}}{{cite news|author=Sebastian Krausing|url=http://www.bilsektionen.dk/arets-bil-i-danmark-2012-er-opel-ampera/|title=Årets bil i Danmark 2012 – Opel Ampera|work=Bilsektionen.dk|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=October 14, 2011|language=da}}
2012 European Car of the Year, shared by the Chevrolet Volt and the Opel/Vauxhall.{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/news/volt-and-ampera-win-european-car-year-42204.html|title=Volt and Ampera Win European Car of the Year|author=Huw Evans|work=HybridCars.com|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308192839/http://www.hybridcars.com/news/volt-and-ampera-win-european-car-year-42204.html|archive-date=March 8, 2012|url-status = dead}} The Ampera/Volt became the first car developed in the U.S. to win this European award.{{cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120417/AUTO0103/204170360/1121/auto01/GM%C3%ADs-Opel-Ampera-surpasses-sales-goals|title=GM's Opel Ampera surpasses sales goals|author=Melissa Burden|work=The Detroit News|date=April 10, 2012|access-date=April 17, 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite magazine|last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/03/volt-ampera-europe-car-year/ |title=Chevrolet Volt Named European Car of the Year | Autopia |magazine=Wired |date=March 5, 2012 |access-date=November 29, 2013}}
2013 Green Mobility Trophy. Readers of Auto Zeitung in Germany awarded the Opel Ampera the trophy and named the mid-size sedan the best electric vehicle.{{cite web|url=http://insideevs.com/opel-ampera-beat-tesla-model-s-and-bmw-i3-to-win-green-mobility-trophy-2013/|title=Opel Ampera Beat Tesla Model S and BMW i3 to Win "Green Mobility Trophy 2013″|author=Eric Loveday|work=InsideEVs.com|date=August 27, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2013}}

Rest of the world organizations

2012 Drive's Green Innovation Award to the Holden Volt, as part of the Australia's Drive Car of the Year Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7375:holden-volt-wins-drives-green-innovation-award&catid=64:business&Itemid=286|title=Holden Volt wins Drive's Green Innovation Award|work=The International News Magazine|date=December 7, 2012|access-date=December 23, 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419010329/http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7375:holden-volt-wins-drives-green-innovation-award&catid=64:business&Itemid=286|archive-date=April 19, 2013}}

References

Bibliography

{{Cite book |last= Edsall |first=Larry |editor1-last=Endres |editor1-first=Chris |year=2010 |title=Chevrolet Volt: Charging into the Future |others=Foreword by Bob Lutz |edition=Hardcover |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=978-0-7603-3893-3 }}
{{Cite book |last=Fletcher |first=Seth |year=2011 |title=Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy |edition=First |location=New York |publisher=Hill and Wang |isbn=978-0-8090-3053-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/bottledlightning0000flet }}
{{cite web |last=Rafinejad |first=Dariush |year=2013 |title=Chevrolet Volt: A Disruptive Innovation Bridge to Electrified Transportation |url=http://www.presidioedu.org/userfiles/file/Case%20Study/Chevrolet%20VOLT%20Case%20Study,%20rev_%208-27-2013,%20incl%20JLL%20comments.pdf |location=San Francisco, California |publisher=Presidio Graduate School |access-date=September 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927051344/http://www.presidioedu.org/userfiles/file/Case%20Study/Chevrolet%20VOLT%20Case%20Study,%20rev_%208-27-2013,%20incl%20JLL%20comments.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
{{cite book |author= |title=2012 Chevrolet Volt Owner Manual |url=http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Ownership/Manuals%20and%20Videos/02_pdf/2k12volt.pdf |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020111000/http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Ownership/Manuals%20and%20Videos/02_pdf/2k12volt.pdf |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2013 |edition=First printing |year=2011 |location=United States |publisher=General Motors |id=Part no. 20819515 A |ref={{SfnRef|General Motors|2012}} }} -->

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20111016032514/http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car Official website] (archived)
[http://www.torquenews.com/2250/bmw-i3-rex-vs-chevrolet-volt-two-different-approaches-plug-hybrids BMW i3 REx vs. Chevrolet Volt: two different approaches to plug-in hybrids], Torque News, June 2014
[https://web.archive.org/web/20131219061413/http://news.fleetcarma.com/2013/12/16/nissan-leaf-chevrolet-volt-cold-weather-range-loss-electric-vehicle/ Chevrolet Volt electric range variability for different ambient temperatures]
[http://www.hybridcars.com/complete-chevy-volt-award-list/ Complete list of Chevrolet Volt awards] ({{As of|2014|02}})
[http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/InterimGuide_Consumers_011912_v2a.pdf NHTSA Interim Safety Guidance for Vehicle Owner/General Public] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209221917/http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/InterimGuide_Consumers_011912_v2a.pdf |date=December 9, 2013 }}
[http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/InterimGuide_EmergencyResponse_012012_v3.pdf NHTSA Interim Safety Guidance for Law Enforcement/Emergency Medical Services/Fire Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209222354/http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/InterimGuide_EmergencyResponse_012012_v3.pdf |date=December 9, 2013 }}
[http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nvs/pdf/Final_Reports.pdf NHTSA Chevrolet Volt Battery Incident Report Overview, January 2012 – DOT HS 811 573]
[http://evsafetytraining.org/~/media/Electric%20Vehicle/Files/PDFs/VoltRespondersGuide.pdf NFPA Chevrolet Volt Emergency Response Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025154255/http://evsafetytraining.org/~/media/Electric%20Vehicle/Files/PDFs/VoltRespondersGuide.pdf |date=October 25, 2014 }}
[http://www.gm-volt.com Volt Owner User Community]