By comparison, the 2011-12 Volt had a manufacturer-rated 35 mile range on fully electric power. The battery modifications, which GM says involved "minor changes to the material composition of the battery cell chemistry," also helped increase the extended-range EV's EPA-rated mpg equivalent from 94 to 98 miles. Total range is now 380 miles for a Volt with a full charge and a full tank of gas.
GM says it has put about 150,000 miles on the uprated batteries as part of its testing process.
Like the 2011-12 Volt, a 2013 with a charged battery motivates exclusively on battery power until the pack is depleted. At that point, a gas engine fires up to work as a generator, supplying power to charge the battery. Unlike an EV, Volt's range is limitless since drivers can fill up with unleaded to run the gas engine.
