What kind of engine does a Chevy Volt have?
The Chevy Volt uses a small gasoline internal-combustion engine as a range extender within its Voltec plug-in hybrid system. In the first generation, the engine is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder; in the second generation, Chevrolet switched to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. The engine's role is to generate electricity to charge the battery when the car’s electric range is depleted, rather than to drive the wheels directly.
How the Voltec system works
Beyond the basic engine type, the Volt pairs the gasoline engine with an electric motor and a large battery. The wheels are driven primarily by electric propulsion, and the gasoline engine kicks in only to provide ongoing electrical power to the battery and electric motor when additional range is needed.
Below are the core engine characteristics that define the Volt's powertrain.
- Engine configuration: inline-four gasoline engine acting as a range extender rather than a direct drive motor.
- Generation differences: Gen 1 uses a 1.4-liter engine; Gen 2 uses a 1.5-liter engine.
- Powertrain role: the engine drives a generator to recharge the battery and supply electricity to the electric motor.
- Wheels vs engine: there is no direct mechanical connection from the engine to the wheels during normal operation; propulsion is electric.
These characteristics explain how the Volt blends electric driving with a small gasoline engine to extend its usable range and flexibility for drivers.
Generational overview
Gen 1 (2011–2015)
The first-generation Volt uses a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that operates as a range extender within the Voltec system. It generates electricity to maintain battery charge and power the electric drive when needed, while the car primarily runs on electricity from its battery.
Gen 2 (2016–2019)
The second-generation Volt switches to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine for its range-extending duties, offering similar behavior—electric drive with the gasoline engine providing supplemental electrical power as needed. The battery capacity is larger, allowing more all-electric driving before the generator is called upon.
Production status and context
GM discontinued the Chevy Volt after the 2019 model year, ending the Voltec-era plug-in hybrid. The platform influenced other GM hybrids and contributed to the broader transition toward purely electric models such as the Bolt EV, but the Volt itself is no longer in production.
Summary
The Chevy Volt uses a small gasoline engine as a range extender within the Voltec plug-in hybrid system. The engine size evolved from 1.4 liters in Gen 1 to 1.5 liters in Gen 2, and its primary job is to generate electricity to keep the battery charged when the all-electric range runs short. Most driving is electric, with the gasoline engine stepping in only to extend range when needed. Production ended in 2019, marking the end of the Volt line.
