Chevrolet VoltAge - 2013 Chevrolet Volt Boosts EV Range to 38 Miles

We’re pleased to let you know that for the 2013 model of the Chevrolet Volt we are improving upon what many fans already love as well as adding some additional features including:

•Increase in EPA-estimated EV range of three miles, to 38 miles

•Hold drive mode in addition to Normal, Sport and Mountain drive modes, allows owners to conserve battery charge for use in the most efficient manner

•Low-emissions package (e-AT-PZEV) makes Volt eligible for single-occupancy HOV-lane access in California and New York

•Body color roof and liftgate

•Pebble Beige premium cloth seats and leather-appointed seats with suede inserts

•Available audio system with GPS-based navigation, AM/FM/Sirius XM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback capability, navigation and USB port, seven-inch-diagonal touch-screen display and Radio Data System

•Removable rear center armrest with storage included in available Premium Trim Package

•Comfort Package includes heated driver and front passenger cloth seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel •Available Safety Package 1 includes auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, rear park assist and rear vision camera

•Available Safety Package 2 includes front park assist, forward collision alert and lane departure warning systems

Expanding on some of these points, the all-electric vehicle range of the 2013 Chevrolet Volt will be 38 miles on a single charge, a three-mile increase from the 2012 model. The miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) will increase from 94 miles to 98 miles and the total range, including extended range operation, will be 382 miles.

In addition, the storage capacity of the Volt battery will increase slightly from 16 kWh of energy to 16.5 kWh, and engineers have expanded the state-of-charge window to 10.8 kWh from 10.3 kWh in the 2012 model. The battery system maintains a buffer to ensure battery life, but that buffer has been modified.

The improved EV range capability will result in slight increases to the Volt’s charge times. A full recharge using a 120V could take as little as 10.5 hours and as little as 4.25 hours using a 240V charging unit.

Volt offers an e-AT-PZEV specification that earns the Volt a coveted “green sticker” for single-occupancy HOV lane access in California and New York.

Volt also adds a Hold mode that allows owners to direct when the Volt uses its gas generator. This feature helps save money because owners who mix city and highway driving can save the battery charge for city travel, where the Volt’s EV mode operates most efficiently.

Other updates for 2013 include a body-color roof and decklid, available lane departure warning system and forward collision alert crash-avoidance technologies, as well as GPS-enabled navigation capabilities to Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system.

A new exterior color, Silver Topaz Metallic, and new interior color, Pebble Beige, also join the Volt lineup.

The Volt is built at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, home to the largest photovoltaic solar array in southeast Michigan. The facility can use the 516 kilowatts of solar energy generated by the 264,000-square-foot array (24,526 sq. m) to charge up to 150 Volts or help power the plant.

For more information you may visit this link.

Comments (28) Add Comment

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written by Virgil L. Barth, December 10, 2012

I have a question on the advertised miliege and the accual miliege I'm getting on my 2013 volt? Advertised 35 to 38 miles, accual miles I'm getting is 29 to 30, would you know why? Please advise.

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written by CalVerdun, October 30, 2012

Great job Chevy! Love the fact that you guys are improving such a great car, the focus of becoming the #1 EV/Hybrid shows.

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written by shardae, October 25, 2012

love it too

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written by Benjamin Flores, October 06, 2012

I have no money to buy a Volt, and envy!

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written by Wallace, September 29, 2012

I got 2012 Volt number 21,502. Which must mean a late year production. I too think it must have the larger 16.5kwh battery. It usually goes 10.7kwh before battery is empty. My best range so far is 59.2 miles, running at 40 mph on a main road with few traffic lights. My average is 49-50 miles per charge in warm weather.
It does sound like GM ran out of the 16kwh batteries and were installing the newer 16.5kwh batteries in some 2012's. Just my guess. How can I know for sure?

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written by THOMAS AUSTIN, July 29, 2012

How much in electricity does run for 10.5 hours per charge. Does the battery charge come separte. Isthe charger 120/220 Vplt
Thank you .
Thomas Austin

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written by no comment, July 25, 2012

i tend to get range in the mid-to-high 40's, but i hesitate to say that the 35 mile figure is a "gross underestimate" until i see how the range goes in the winter. my thinking is that the 35 mile figure is intended to account for the fact that during the winter you will probably see your range cut in half.

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written by Anton, July 21, 2012

I've had my Volt for two weeks and granted, the battery is new with no degradation yet, but on my 61 mile round trip commute yesterday I was able to squeeze out 54 miles on all electric before the gas generator kicked on. I have not gotten less than 45 miles on a charge so far so the 35 mile range is a gross underestimate except for those who do not choose to alter their driving habits.

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written by Tony Massaro, July 02, 2012

I have had my Volt since May 2011 . With 11,900 miles , I have used TEN gallons of gasoline . The last time I went to a gas station was August 2011 .
Routinely , i am getting 45 plus miles per charge . This is an amazing product .... never mind a great car !

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written by Bonitabeachfl, June 23, 2012

Would like to see a 240 v outlet on the Volt so i could use it as a back up generator.

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written by Terry Knarr, June 21, 2012

Coming up on 3 months of ownership, My VOLT performs as promised. An absolute BLAST to drive and no problems what so ever.

..., Low-rated comment [Show]

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written by Dana Nourie, June 15, 2012

I already get 40-43 range on EV. I love my Volt! I have almost 1400 miles on it now, and I've used 7 gallons of gas, and that only because of a few long trips. Mostly I drive on electric all the time, and my work has free charging stations, so I get there and back on EV no problem. This car is awesome!

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written by David D., June 15, 2012

I just purchased a 2012 Chevy Volt with a production date of 05/2012. I get excellent Ev driving range and I show 45 miles to empty after a full charge. However, I can get more than 45 miles on the EV battery. My Volt shows 10.8 kWh used before empty which is the new 2013 standard. It also takes 10.5 hours to charge my EV battery on the 120 V charger. I believe that my Volt has the new 16.5 kWh battery pack in it. My volt advisor says no, however the range, charging time and 10.8 kWh used before empty makes me believe that GM installed the new battery pack in my Volt. Does anyone have an answer to this? This is the best vehicle in production in the U.S.A. Keep up the good work GM-Chevy.

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written by Bill Orth, June 10, 2012

Will a 2013 Volt bought anywhere in the US be eligible for the California HOV green sticker? Thank you.

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written by Lastone, June 08, 2012

I'd really like to see a natural gas option for the Volt. Perhaps someone can make an aftermarket upgrade for this.

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written by Lastone, June 08, 2012

I live in Hawaii, the perfect climate for the Volt. I consistently get 48 to 50 miles range on my 31 mile commute. Driving style has the biggest impact on my range. Light on the pedal, especially from a stop is the big secret as well as trying to never use the brakes. Watching the road ahead, anticipating red lights etc. 8000 miles on 7 gallons, not bad at all. Gas costs 4.80 per gallon here, so I'm real happy.

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written by Dan M., June 08, 2012

Will the 2013 Volt be compatible with E85 fuel? If not, when will it be?

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written by no comment, June 08, 2012

i like the modest increase in ev range; i am currently getting a range in the mid to upper 40's so with the increase it seems more likely that drivers may be able to routinely get around 50 miles of ev range in moderate/warmer temperatures.

i'm not particularly keen on the "hold" mode (although i fully understand its use in europe); i know that there was much agitation about this on some of the blogs, but i think that it is largely going to be a toy that guys play with for a while and then get tired of playing with; i suspect in many cases, people will put the car into hold mode and forget to take it out of hold mode; after all, most people are concerned with where they are going rather than playing around with their car while they drive.

i think that the body color roof and lift gate (and i assume lower panels as well) is a good idea. in my case, my car is blue topaz and with that color i think that the black panels works well, but in general, i think that body color will look a bit better.

i really like the rear center armrest; the reason why i got the rear storage barrier was to fill the space between the seats. filling the space makes the care look more like a car and less like a minivan. i would be interested in seeing what this looks like because it would work best if it looks like something that actually fits with the overall design of the car; while i went with the rear storage barrier as a space filler, it does have a certain "jury rigged" appearance. hopefully this rear center armrest will be a dealer installed option that will also fit prior years' chevrolet volts because as a 2012 owner, i would be interested in this option.

on this vein, another option that i would like to see is a rigid mountable (and removable) shelf to cover the rear storage area that meets flush to the back of the seats, thereby sealing the rear storage area from view. this rigid shelf could have a liftable section to allow easier access with the shelf is mounted. these kinds of shelves have been in past hatchbacks like the volkswagon rabbit and the saab 9000.

as others have stated, the volt is a great driving car, the handling is really outstanding and the power delivery off the line for the voltec platform is incredibly smooth. i have to admit that i don't have a lot of experience with driving the car in charge sustaining mode though, so i can't really comment on whether the driving character changes much in CS mode versus CD mode.

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written by VoltAge admin, June 08, 2012

Hello everyone

Dealers are currently taking orders for the 2013 Volt. They will go into production some time in early July and will start rolling into dealerships by the end of summer. Thanks so much for your interest and support.

-Grant Kenney
Chevrolet VoltAge Community Manager

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written by Eric Z, June 07, 2012

Awesome! I love my '12 Volt. Sounds like GM is continuing to make it even better. I'm at nearly 9,000 miles total. In the last 2500 miles, I've used 0.8 gallons of gas! This car works, and is so fun to drive! GM states the Electric Range of my '12 Volt at 35 miles. But I average 42 to 43 per charge. I wonder if that means the '13 Volt will actually average 45 miles/charge.

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written by Golfboy600, June 07, 2012

I have had my Volt for 3 months. I have watched all the videos and read the blogs to extended the EV range. The best I have done is 48.6 miles on a charge. I do average 44 miles. This is the greatest car on the road. The General Public just doesn't understand the car. People talk to me all the time about the car. Especially when I'm in Miami with the Ferrari's and Lambo's Those guys come up to me to ask questions about the car. Best car GM makes. Hands down!!!!!!!!!!

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written by peter shumrak, June 07, 2012

I now have over 10k miles on my 2012 Volt which I got last October. I travel 2 5.6miles to work and back andI am able to charge it at work. So NO GAS ! over 10k and only 33 gallons of gas ! And since last fill of only 4 gallons that my dealer paid for when I brought the car in for the recall- only 0.1gal of gas in 700 miles- yes 0.1 (1 tenth). We need more on the road !!!!

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written by jimltz, June 07, 2012

when will the model 2013s be available in GM stores?

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written by Bob Jordan, June 07, 2012

I own a 2012 Volt, drive it conservatively (at or under the speed limit) on flat terrain and consistently get a range of 44 to 45 miles. Chevrolet underestimates the Volt's range. I've found that driving style, not use of AC, impacts range the most. The car is the best thing GM has done since the V8 engine!

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written by Eric, June 07, 2012

Nice! What caused the MPGe to go up to 98 from 94? That implies the Volt goes further per unit energy, which isn't just a result of a larger battery capacity. Did the battery itself also get lighter than the previous battery, or were other efficiency tweaks made?