EV range of the Volt should be determined by the customer just like for the Tesla Model S. You could have a 40 miles, 60 miles, 75 miles or 100 miles battery. Likewise you could have a 30 KW range extender but also a 15 KW micro range extender. Choice is key for market demand matching.

@theflew,
I probably would have gotten a Volt instead of a Leaf if it could get me the 38 mile uphill commute from work without gas.
I'm afraid GM's 80/20 estimate may have missed the fact that of that 80% many don't commute far enough to warrant spending extra money on a car to reduce having to go to the gas station so they served maybe only about 50%. Of course, 50% is a good sized population so even that may be sufficient.

@anonymous,
When we say "go 35 miles", being plug-in geeks, we are normally referring to the distance we can travel on the electricity from plugging in. With the Volt, assuming there is gas in the tank, the gas engine will start at this point and keep you going until you run out of gas or refuel.
With pure EVs, you'd better plug in and recharge at that mileage.
Most plug-in geeks, of course, would like to plug their Volt in at the end of its electric range since that is generally the whole reason they bought the car - so they wouldn't need gasoline.

I bought the 2013 Volt on January 2 nd and I love it. I live in a cold climate ,Chicago,and initially got close to 38 miles per charge on electricity. However I received a check engine light this week and took it into the dealer. They said they had to reboot a computer program and since then the charge in the am's says only 34 miles. Does anyone else have experience with this? I am going to get it checked out tomorrow at the dealer and if I learn something I will pass it on.

Previous to my 2013 Volt, I owned 4 Prius cars, the last was a Prius C. I enjoyed them all, particularly the C. Very fun to drive in the Sport mode. Good mileage in them all but I always felt that with a bit of tweaking, they could have been better. The motor engaged too soon after take off, unless you babied the accelerator and could stand the honking horns and road rage behind you. If the engine had remained off under reasonable acceleration until you reached 25 mph it would have made driving the car more enjoyable. When the C did not do much better with city mileage than the previous Prius's (?), I began the search of electric vehicles.

The Leaf would not do as I do more than just local driving. I really liked the Ford C-Max but the Energi plug-in was not available in north central Ohio. The price of the Volt had put me off but I decided to drive one anyway. When I learned of the $7500 tax incentive combined with a $2000 discount and 0% financing, I made the leap.

I got the car when the weather was cold, so the generator (motor) would run at times. Now that the temperatures are up in the 50's and 60's, the engine stays silent and my electric range has increased noticeably even with my love of running in the Sport mode. The Volt is a pleasure to drive and is very comfortable. I was apprehensive of all the touch buttons on the central console panel, but now that I have learned how to use them, I like them.

With my driving being primarily city, the Volt is an excellent car for me. I enjoy the fast response, the quietness, the comfortable ride and knowing I may not have to buy gas until the weather gets cold again.

Hello everyone,
I got my Volt last black Friday 2012. It came with a full tank of gas and after 1500 miles or so I filled up my tank ($4x8gal=$32). At that time (Dec30, 2012), I figured it was the best thing since I used to spend that amount every 3 or 4 days on my old car (that I used for downpayment, btw)....But that was me driving the exact same way as before: mostly highways, 75Mph +, AC full. Then i started using inner cities roads instead of highways, use less the AC and more importantly: using the cruise control to every road' speed limit. TODAY (April 13, 2013) every morning, my battery is charged to 51miles of range. I have only used 2 Gal of gas. I only stop by the gas station to buy the lottery or to get a drink....its really like that commercial. ..i leased my volt for 3 years and paying $350/month (including taxes)...am sorry, but is that awesome or what?? not only the car drives so smooth, and quietly and sharp and its so fun to drive and like the other person in this forum said: "yes, every charge, I also stomp on the accelerator just to show off". just want to see people faces with the: what the he..?? because a car next to them made no noise and ran the yellow light so fast? hehe.. .. I had a Range Rover, a Ford Edge, Mazda 5, Saab convertible, corolla, etc....and by faaaaaaar my VOLT is the absolute best car i have driven and guess what? it take me only 10 or 15 extra mins tops to get to my destination..my friends don't believe me, they just don't!..Not only i enjoy my ride like no one else, but i feel i drive better than before. I am more calm, more relax, no speeding tickets....i hooked up my smart phone to it that now i listened to Pandora instead of the regular radio with all those annoying commercials. and since the past week, i learned something new: if you try not to use as often the brakes but the L gear to reduce speed, you will see an increase of performance. I am getting 54miles per charge and counting. AND that is me only using the regular 120volt plug to charge it. I live in fort Lauderdale, Florida. Now imagine in the near future with the increasing of Charge-Points? that will be just great! me getting some charge while buying groceries at Publix, etc ??? oh boy! can't way!..I have driven 3517 miles so far (and counting) and spent $32 in gas? that is unreal! and that was me not knowing how to drive the car more efficiently....I am very happy!! and that for me is priceless!!. ... ..... I hope more people read us and join the Volt community. i will post updates in the near future just to keep track of my findings. Thanks!