What year is the first generation Volt?
The first-generation Volt covers model years 2011 through 2015. Production began in 2010, with the vehicle reaching dealerships as the 2011 model year, before a second generation started with the 2016 model year.
Defining the first generation period
The Gen 1 period is defined by Chevrolet’s original Volt plug-in hybrid platform, which was produced from 2010 through 2015 and offered to customers as the 2011–2015 model years. This generation used GM’s Voltec extended-range electric propulsion system and was later succeeded by a redesigned second generation.
The following list summarizes the commonly recognized model years for the first-generation Volt:
- 2011 model year
- 2012 model year
- 2013 model year
- 2014 model year
- 2015 model year
These model years mark the complete span of the first generation. The second generation began with the 2016 model year, and GM eventually discontinued the Volt after the 2019 model year, shifting focus to newer electrified offerings.
Gen 2 transition and current status
The second-generation Volt debuted as the 2016 model year, arriving after a mid-cycle refresh that introduced a new design and updated features. Production of the second generation continued through the 2019 model year, after which GM discontinued the Volt as part of a broader restructuring of its electric-vehicle lineup. The Bolt EV, introduced around the same era, became GM’s primary all-electric offering.
- Second generation began with the 2016 model year
- Production continued through 2019 model year
- Volt nameplate discontinued; Bolt EV emerged as GM’s primary electric option
In context, the first-generation Volt is defined by its 2011–2015 model years, with development and early production starting in 2010. The transition to a second generation in 2016 marked a clear division in Chevrolet’s plug-in hybrid strategy, culminating in the Volt’s eventual discontinuation after 2019.
Summary
The first-generation Chevrolet Volt ran from 2011 to 2015 as the main production window for Gen 1, with production beginning in 2010. The Gen 2 Volt arrived for the 2016 model year and continued through 2019, after which GM shifted its electrified offerings toward newer platforms.
