California - The First Market to Get Chevrolet Volt

General Motors has just announced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show that California will be the first market to witness the introduction of its flagship electric vehicle with extended-range capability Chevrolet Volt. Other lead markets will be announced at a later date, the company said in a statement.

In addition, GM will join forces with three California utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to study the regional electric vehicle use and the ways to provide the needed infrastructure.

“It is natural that California is the lead market for Volt. Not only is it the largest automotive market, Californians are known to be leaders in adopting groundbreaking new technologies,” said Brent Dewar, GM vice president, Global Chevrolet Brand.

Chevrolet Volt will officially enter production in late 2010, with pricing details to be unveiled at a later date. The three utilities that are participating in the demonstration programme are Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Chevrolet will thus provide a total of 100 Volts for the project, with participants to use the cars in their fleet for a period of two years.

The joint project will also lead to the creation of 500 charging stations for residential, business and public use.

Chevrolet Volt will hit the market in late 2010 and will be powered by lithium-ion batteries produced at the Brownstown Township, Mich. plant. The Voltec electric propulsion system consists of 150 parts, with General Motors designing all but eight parts of the assembly. The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone with a single battery charge.