2011 Chevrolet Volt to Start at $41000

It’s official: starting this November, GM dealerships in select U.S markets will start selling the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the first mass produced extended-range electric vehicle, at a starting price of $41,000 (including a $720 destination charge).

The effective purchase price with a federal tax credit worth up to $7,500 for the Chevrolet Volt, the price drops to $33,500. Car buyers will have to finance the $41,000 and get the credit back on their next tax return.

GM will also offer leasing option for the Chevrolet Volt available on a 36-month term which will set you back $350/month with an initial payment of $2,500, which is about equal to the Leaf’s.

The carmaker announced the Chevrolet Volt pricing at noon today at the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, Calif.

GM is making the pitch that the Volt’s longer driving range on a single charge and tank of gasoline will make it a better buy for most drivers than Nissan’s Leaf.

The Chevy Volt price tag is considerably larger than the electric Nissan Leaf, which is expected to sell for $32,780. Both cars, however, will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit and there are several states offering additional tax credits that could lower the cost of owning a Volt even more.

The Chevrolet Volt can travel 340 miles on a tank of fuel, with the first 40 in electric drive before a gasoline engine starts to recharge the battery. The Leaf is pure electric and can travel about 100 miles on a charge.