How much horsepower does the electric motor have in the Chevy Volt?
The electric drive motor in the Chevy Volt is rated at 149 horsepower (111 kW) at peak output.
To understand what that means, the Volt uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines an electric drive motor with a gasoline engine acting as a generator. In electric-only operation, the wheels are powered by the electric motor, which provides its maximum horsepower when the battery has sufficient charge. When the gasoline engine engages to extend range, the system can blend power from both sources, but the electric motor’s peak horsepower remains a defined figure for electric drive.
Electric motor horsepower: a closer look
The following figures summarize the electric motor’s core output for driving the wheels, independent of the gasoline engine’s contribution.
Key figures
Before listing the numbers, note that they pertain to the electric motor’s stand-alone output during electric operation.
- Peak horsepower: 149 hp (111 kW)
- Peak torque: 273 lb-ft (370 Nm)
These figures describe the electric motor’s capability when the Volt is operating in electric mode. The overall driving experience can vary depending on battery state of charge and how the vehicle’s powertrain software manages the blend of electric and gasoline power.
Context within the Volt’s powertrain
The Volt’s propulsion relies on the electric motor to drive the wheels directly whenever possible. The gasoline engine serves primarily as a generator to recharge the battery and extend range when needed. Because the system blends outputs from both sources, there isn’t a simple one-number total horsepower figure for all driving scenarios; the 149 hp rating refers specifically to the electric motor’s peak output.
Summary
In short, the Chevy Volt’s electric drive motor delivers 149 horsepower (111 kW) at peak, with about 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque. This figure represents the electric motor’s power available to drive the wheels in electric mode, while the vehicle’s overall performance results from the interaction between the electric motor and the gasoline generator when the engine is engaged.
