| Chevrolet Volt (first generation) | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called |
|
| Production | November 2010 – May 2015 |
| Model years | 2011–2015 |
| Assembly | United States: Detroit, Michigan (Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly) |
| Designer | Bob Boniface |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 5-door liftback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM Delta II |
| Related | Cadillac ELR |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,398 cc (1.4 L) EcoFLEX LUU I4 (gasoline) |
| Electric motor | 2x permanent magnet motors[note 1] |
| Transmission | 1-speed Voltec 4ET50 Multi-mode electric transaxle |
| Hybrid drivetrain | Series hybrid/Parallel hybrid (GM Voltec)[1] |
| Battery |
|
| Range | 380 miles (610 km) (EPA) |
| Electric range |
|
| Plug-in charging | 3.3 kW AC |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,685 mm (105.7 in) |
| Length | 4,498 mm (177.1 in) |
| Width | 1,788 mm (70.4 in) |
| Height | 1,438 mm (56.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,691–1,721 kg (3,729–3,794 lb) (Volt) 1,686–1,732 kg (3,717–3,818 lb) (Ampera) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Chevrolet Volt (second generation) |
The Chevrolet Volt is a compact car that was produced by General Motors. The first generation of the Chevrolet Volt, it was manufactured at the Detroit facility until it was succeeded by the second and final generation of the Volt in 2015. It is a five-door liftback with a range-extending generator.
In 2006, under the direction of GM Vice President Robert Lutz, General Motors began development of a car to rebuild their "environmentally-friendly, technologically advanced" image following the setback of the unsuccessful EV1 program.[2] The project sought to establish a new family of common powertrain components for electric propulsion, known as the "E-Flex Systems" or "Voltec". This powertrain was versatile enough to accommodate various electricity-generating systems, such as gasoline, diesel, ethanol, or fuel cell-powered engines. A lithium-ion battery pack with a 16 kWh energy storage capacity was selected to provide a target all-electric range of 40 miles (64 km). The Volt concept car became the first application of the E-Flex propulsion system. This drivetrain comprises an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a genset with a small combustion engine.
Official series manufacture of the car at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly began on November 30, 2010. In place of the "Chevrolet Volt" nameplate, the Australasian markets received the Holden Volt, which was produced between 2012 and 2015. In numerous European markets, the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera was introduced, featuring various visual modifications to differentiate it from the Volt. Nevertheless, the Chevrolet Volt continued to be sold in Europe, albeit in lower volumes.
The Chevrolet Volt functions as a battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity diminishes to a predefined threshold from full charge. At that point, its internal combustion engine activates an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range as necessary. During high-speed operation on gasoline, the engine may be mechanically linked to a generator set through a clutch, improving efficiency by 10% to 15%. The Volt's regenerative braking system also contributes to on-board electricity generation.
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- ^ Miller, Michael A.; Holmes, Alan G.; Conlon, Brendan M.; Savagian, Peter J. (April 12, 2011). "The GM "Voltec" 4ET50 Multi-Mode Electric Transaxle". SAE International – Technical Papers. 4: 1102–1114. doi:10.4271/2011-01-0887. ISSN 1946-3936. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Edsall 2010, p. 11.