The initial design as envisioned in the Volt combines an electric motor and 16 kWh (58 MJ) lithium-ion battery plug-in system with a small engine (1 liter) powered by gasoline linked to a 53 kW (71 hp) generator. The vehicle is propelled by an electric motor with a peak output of 120 kW (160 hp).
The internal combustion engine does not have any mechanical linkage to the wheels (unlike current vehicles such as the Toyota Prius), and can run at a constant speed for both optimal efficiency and mechanical simplicity (there is no advantage in using a complex multi- or variable-cam or variable cylinder use design - these are typically used to increase efficiency and power over varying operating conditions). The Volt is expected to get 50 mpg (US) (4.7 L/100 km) if the battery is discharged, or 150 mpg (US) (1.6 L/100 km) if fully charged every 60 mi (97 km).
GM plans to keep the lithium-ion battery in a state-of-charge (SOC) range of between 30% and 80%, w ith the on-board generator starting to recharge the battery at the 30% level.
As of August 2008, General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner was quoted saying that the price of the Volt would likely be in "the mid to high 30's".($30,000)
On September 16, 2008, as part of General Motors' 100th year celebration, the company unveiled the production version of the Chevrolet Volt.
A dark blue/purple and black non-production version of the Chevrolet Volt, which is actually a Chevrolet Malibu using the Volt's outer shell, will be seen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.