The 2011 Chevrolet Volt had an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 35 miles.
The Volt could travel its first 35 miles using electricity stored in a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. After the battery’s usable charge was depleted, its gasoline engine operated as a generator, allowing the car to continue driving rather than stopping at the end of the electric range.
This design is why the Volt is often described as an extended-range electric vehicle as well as a plug-in hybrid. Its electric motor drove the wheels, while the gasoline-powered system supplied energy for longer trips. EPA testing gave the 2011 model a 93 MPGe rating in electric operation and a 37 mpg rating when running on gasoline.
The 35-mile figure is an official estimate, not a fixed distance every driver will achieve. Cold weather, hills, speed, heating or air conditioning, battery condition, and driving habits can reduce or sometimes improve real-world range. Later Volt model years received higher EPA electric-range ratings, so the 2011 figure should not be applied to every Volt.