2016 Chevrolet Volt. Source: GMGeneral Motors (GM) says that its redesigned Chevrolet Volt model now gets 53 miles of driving range on its battery pack before using any gasoline, a 40% improvement from the previous model’s 38-mile range.

The second-generation Volt uses an 18.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to travel on battery power first before a gasoline generator starts.

"We knew we had to get 50 miles," says Pam Fletcher, GM's chief engineer for electrified vehicles.

Feedback from current Volt buyers showed that range is the top reason for buying the car. "At 50 miles, most people will be in electric mode most of the time," she says.

The vehicle's 1.5-liter range-extending generator gets 42 miles per gallon, according to the company. The automaker says that Volt owners use battery power only for more than 90% of their trips.

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