Chevrolet Boosts Volt Range by 38 Miles for 2013

ChevroletChevroletUnited States of America, 1911 > present82 models
3556 photos
7 videos
has updated the VoltChevrolet VoltUnited States of America, 2011 > present3 photos
for 2013 with extended range and better fuel economy. The 2013 Volt will have a new pure electric range of 38 miles, which will increase the car's EPA mpge rating from 94 miles to 98 miles in 2013. The car's total range will be 380 miles. The battery's total output has also been increased to 16.5kWh from 16kWh. The charge time has also been reduced to 10.5 hours on a 120v outlet or 4.25 hours on a 240v outlet. 

To get the improvements, Chevrolet changed the battery's chemistry.

“The best way to explain what we’ve done at the cell level is to compare it to a cake batter recipe.  Sometimes if you use more sugar and less vanilla you get a better tasting cake. We’ve done some work at the cell level to modify the ‘ingredients’ to make a better end result,” said Bill Wallace, GM director of Global Battery Systems Engineering.

Previously, the Volt had been certified at 35 miles of pure electric charge and 379 miles of total range.