DETROIT — General Motors will reconfigure the plant that makes the Chevrolet Volt to expand production to up to 60,000 electric cars a year.

The Detroit-area factory, which will be shut next month, now produces about 16,000 a year.

GM said the electric car will be in short supply for the next three months because of the four-week shutdown. The changes will allow the company to increase production of the Volt and its European counterpart, the Opel Ampera.

The Volt can run on battery power for about 35 miles before a gas-powered motor kicks in to generate electricity. It can be recharged through a home electrical outlet. The car costs just over $40,000 but is eligible for a $7,500 tax credit.

GM has dealer orders for all the Volts the plant will produce this year, spokeswoman Michelle Bunker said Wednesday.