Based on the OnStar monitoring, Chevy says Volts are being driven about 60% of their miles electric-only, so they’ve also gone about 27 million miles using gasoline. Chevy is keeping a running tally of the use on its website here.

“With each click of the odometer, Chevrolet Volt owners are measuring their contribution to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and to preserving the environment,” Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director, said in a statement, adding that they saved about $8 million at the pump, minus the cost of the electricity.

Chevrolet Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Typically Volt owners drive an average of 900 miles between fill ups at the gas station.

Chevrolet recently introduced a rolling ticker on its website that showcases real-time daily driving statistics for Volt owners based on OnStar data.

40 Million Total Electric Miles (EV) driven equivalent to:
• 16,373 trips across the United States (2,443 miles from New York to Los Angeles)
• 1,606 trips around the Earth (24,901 miles each)
• 167 trips to the Moon (238,657 miles each)

2,130,000 Gallons of Gas Saved equivalent to:
• 50,714 barrels of gas saved (42 gallons of gas per barrel)
• $8,000,000 saved at the gas pump (based on $3.80/gallon of gas)
• 387 U.S. semi-truck tankers of gas saved (5,500 gallons of gas each)
• One supertanker  of gas saved (2 million gallons of gas)

General Motors Co. said it sold 1,462 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids in April, 36 percent down from the 2,289 sold in March 2012.

Deliveries of the all-electric Nissan LEAF totaled only 370 units in April, down from 579 in March, 478 in February, and far below its June 2011 sales, when it sold 1,708 LEAFs.

Cumulative sales of the Chevrolet Volt have been 5,377 vehicles, while the cumulative sales of the Nissan LEAF have been 2,103 units this year.

Toyota had its best-ever month for its Prius Plug-in Hybrid electric, nearly doubling sales in April to 1,654 from the month before.

Ford didn’t sell any Focus Electric EVs for the third straight month. Ford said 67 dealers are in California, New York and New Jersey have been certified to sell the Focus Electric. Ford said those are markets that account for a large percentage of electrified vehicle sales and will begin seeing the Focus Electric later this spring.

Deliveries of the all-electric Nissan LEAF totaled 579 in March, up from 478 in February, but far below its June 2011 sales, when it sold 1,708 LEAFs.

Nissan says it is on track to double sales of the LEAF in 2012 to about 20,000 in the United States. The company plans to expand capacity to build 150,000 LEAFs annually in 2013 in Tennessee, and is upgrading the 2013 Leaf to include fancier interiors and improved heating systems.

Chevrolet Volt production was suspended for five weeks beginning on March 19th in an effort to better align supply to demand. Chevrolet has since announced that it currently plans to extend the traditional two week summer vacation at the Hamtramck, Michigan, facility that produces it to three weeks, as well.

UPDATE:
Toyota sold 891 Prius Plug-In Hybrids in that car’s first full month on the market–or about 3 percent of the 28,711 Priuses sold in March.

There were also 56 Mitsubishi ‘i’ EVs sold last month, for a three-month total of 136.

But the company says sales picked up in March, and it may cancel the extra week if sales stay strong.

According to GM, over 2,000 Volts were sold last month, surpassing the previous high of 1,529 units in December 2011. GM sold 1,023 Volts in February and 603 in January. GM also claims that it sold over 100,000 vehicles during the month that have an EPA rating of 30 mpg or better.

The Detroit-Hamtramck plant was already closed from March 19 through April 23, as the supply of Volts grew on dealer lots.

Until March, sales of the Chevrolet Volt were disappointing. The company sold 7,671 Volts last year, below its goal of 10,000. GM had 6,319 Volts in its inventory at the end of February, enough to supply dealers for 154 days, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank. A 60-day supply is considered optimal to keep a good selection of cars on dealer lots.

The Chevrolet Volt has a base MSRP of $39,145 before a $7,500 tax credit and can travel for up to 36 miles on battery power alone.

A Yahoo report suggests owners have been complaining for a while now about melting power plugs, and that too repeatedly.

Randal Fox, GM’s spokesperson told Reuters that the exchange affects all 2011 model Chevrolet Volts and some 2012 models.

He did not know the total number affected, but said it was fewer than the more than 11,000 Volts sold so far. He also made a point to note that this was not a safety recall.

The company decided to replace the cords because it has developed a new cord that is more reliable, durable and provides a more consistent charge for the company’s extended-range electric car. Fox said Volt owners can make the exchange when they bring their car into the dealership for a battery upgrade.

This update comes on the heels of the battery enhancement program announced earlier this year. In that case, GM decided to strengthen the structural elements that protect the battery in a side collision, as well as add a new sensor to the coolant system reservoir and install a tamper-resistant bracket to prevent overfilling.

For 2012 Chevrolet Volt, consumers are able to choose from a total of seven option packages compared with only three for the 2011 model.

Updates for 2012 Chevrolet Volt include two new exterior colors – Summit White and Blue Topaz Metallic (late availability) – and two new interior trim combinations, along with new 17-inch wheels with black accent inserts. Dealer-available color inserts can be inserted in place of the standard black inserts.

Passive entry for all doors and the liftgate is added for 2012 Chevrolet Volt, as is Turn-by-Turn navigation with the standard OnStar system.

Also new for 2012 Volt is Chevrolet MyLink, which includes Bluetooth-enabled streaming audio for music and select smartphones, voice recognition for the phone, music and audio systems, Pandora and Stitcher smartphone compatibility, Gracenote (Playlist+ and Album Art) and software that can be updated for the Gracenote database.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt offers a total driving range of 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, it can drive gas-free and tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a 1.4L gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full change.

2012 Chevrolet Volt is priced at $39,995 (including delivery) or about $1,000 less than the 2011 price. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels can now cost as much as $46,265 including delivery. Buyers can benefit from a federal tax credit of $7,500 for plug-in vehicles.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is available throughout the U.S., with additional exports to Europe, China and Canada.

Volt propulsion system
The heart of the Chevrolet Volt is its Voltec propulsion system, which combines pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending engine, giving to the Volt up to 379 total miles of range.

The Volt’s long-life battery consists of a 5.5-foot, 435-pound (198.1 kg) T-shaped, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack manufactured in Brownstown Township, Mich. It supplies energy to an advanced, 111-kW (149-hp) electric drive unit to propel the vehicle. Using only the energy stored in the battery, the Volt delivers an EPA-estimated 35 miles of fuel- and tailpipe emissions-free electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.

The Volt battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. When the battery energy is depleted, the Volt seamlessly transitions to extended-range mode. Power is inverted from a technically advanced, 1.4L 63-kW (84-hp) gasoline-powered onboard engine to the electric drive unit to provide up to 344 additional miles of range.

Charging the Volt’s battery is simple and intuitive, and can be done with a 120V conventional household electrical outlet, or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle is completely rechargeable in about four hours using a 240V outlet and 10 to 12 hours in a 120V outlet. Once the vehicle is plugged in, owners can schedule either immediate or delayed charges, even coordinating charging according to departure time or when electricity rates are lower. Owners also can manage and monitor the Volt remotely via computer on MyVolt.com; or an exclusive smartphone application, Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar.

Volt design and exterior features
Working closely with aerodynamicists in GM’s wind tunnel to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed the most aerodynamic vehicle in Chevrolet’s history. By reducing the energy needed to overcome air resistance, Volt aerodynamicists contributed an estimated eight miles of electric range, and 50 miles of extended range.

The Volt’s rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille enable air to move easily around the car to reduce drag. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler control air flow. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass also helps reduce turbulence and drag.

Additional exterior features include: daytime running lamps with LED illumination; LED center high-mounted stop lamp; heated and power-adjustable mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators; 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard; 17-inch polished aluminum wheels are optional; 17-inch aluminum wheels with black inserts are optional; pedestrian-friendly alert, featuring a driver-activated horn chirp

Exterior color choices: Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Black, Crystal Red Tintcoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Viridian Joule Tricoat and Blue Topaz Metallic.

Volt interior
Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a premium five-door sedan –  including storage compartments and 40/40 rear-folding seats. It also delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan, but with Chevrolet’s signature dual cockpit design.

Two seven-inch, high-resolution full-color screens are featured: One is a reconfigurable graphic cluster display and the other, in the center stack, features a  touch screen display, touch-control switches and integrated shifter. The graphics in the instrument panel and door inserts are repeated in the standard cloth or available leather-appointed seats.

Standard interior features include:
• Audio system with CD player/MP3 playback and a seven-inch color touch-screen display
• USB audio interface port
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Automatic climate control
• Keyless ignition
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• MyVOLT.com vehicle connectivity
• Three auxiliary 12-volt power outlets
• Remote vehicle starting system
• Cloth seat trim
• Interior trim combinations include: Jet Black and Green seats with Dark accents, Light Neutral seat with Dark accents, Jet Black seat with Ceramic White accents, Jet Black seats with Dark accents and Jet Black and Spice Red seats with Dark accents.

Available interior features include:
• Chevrolet MyLink
• Navigation radio system with audio storage hard drive and SiriusXM Nav Traffic
• Rearview camera system and ultrasonic park assist
• Perforated leather seat trim with color-keyed textile accents
• Premium Trim Package with perforated leather seating appointments, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and premium door trim.

Volt safety and crash-avoidance features
The Volt helps protect occupants before, during and after a crash. Crash-avoidance features include standard anti-lock brakes with traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and advanced, LED daytime running lamps that make the Volt more visible to other motorists and pedestrians.

Occupant protection continues with a strong structure, and the Chevrolet Volt’s body-frame-integral structure strategically blends advanced steels to help ensure crashworthiness and stiffness. Nearly 80 percent of the Volt’s overall structure consists either of high-strength, advanced high-strength or ultra high-strength steel. Active occupant protection features include eight standard air bags and safety belts with dual pretensioners to help reduce the risk of injury.

After a crash, the Chevrolet Volt offers the security of OnStar, which uses built-in vehicle sensors to automatically alert an OnStar advisor in certain types of collisions. The advisor is immediately connected to the vehicle and can request that emergency help be sent to its location.

Because the Volt operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.

Additional safety features include:
• Eight standard air bags including dual-stage driver and passenger air bags; front driver and passenger knee air bags to help mitigate lower leg injuries; roof rail side-curtain air bags extend over both seating rows for side-impact and rollover protection; and seat-mounted thorax and pelvic side air bags
• Automatic occupant sensing system detects the presence of a child or smaller adult in the front passenger seat and suppresses the air bag to help avoid an injury
• Rollover sensing and protection system
• Tip-up sensors that proactively predict tip-up on a flat surface and apply brake force to the outside front and rear wheels to reduce lateral force in the vehicle
• Collapsible pedal assembly to protect against lower leg injuries
• Safety belt shoulder belt retractor and lap belt pretensioners in the driver and front passenger positions
• LATCH child seat installation system in rear seating positions
• Anti-lock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability enhancement
• Tire pressure monitoring system.

OnStar details
OnStar is standard. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.

• OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada.
• Six months of complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service with Turn-by-Turn navigation for easier route guidance on all Volt models
• Stolen Vehicle Assistance helps police track the vehicle.

The new Zipcar EVs will be placed in pods located throughout the city, including locations on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, as well as in the Loop, South Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lincoln Park, and Albany Park.

Zipcar says it is working with a number of partners on this program, including 350Green, which is installing the EV charging stations where the Zipcar EVs will be located.  Other partners include the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Tishman Speyer, LAZ Parking and Cityfront Place Apartments, all of which are providing locations for the Zipcar EVs and charging stations in commercial and residential buildings, private parking lots and along the CTA rail system.

The first electric vehicles to join the Zipcar Chicago fleet are five Chevrolet Volts, which are now available at Cityfront Place Apartments 400 N. McClurg Ct. and 260 E. Chestnut St. in Streeterville, 210 N. Wells St. in the Loop, and in University Village at the University of Illinois-Chicago at 915 S. Paulina St. and 701 W. Maxwell St.  These vehicles are available for reservation by Zipcar members starting from just $10 per hour.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range, which can travel gas-free up to an EPA-estimated 35 miles, after which it shifts a gas generator which produces electricity to keep it going an additional 375 miles on a full tank of gas. Because many trips taken by Zipcar members are fewer than 35 miles, these trips taken in the Volts will be powered solely by electricity rather than fuel.

Zipcar is working with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition to launch the EV program in support of the Chicago Climate Action Plan.  Over the course of 2012, the City of Chicago is installing hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations for public use to help expand the EV infrastructure throughout the city.  Along with this effort, the Zipcar EV program will help provide increased access to EVs and emission-free driving to car sharing members throughout the Chicago community.

Zipcar has been a pioneer in using advanced vehicle technologies, being the first car sharing company in the United States to introduce electric vehicles into its fleet with the launch of Toyota RAV4 EVs in Boston in 2002, and the first to offer hybrid vehicles in Seattle in 2003.

The votes of the 59 jurors from 23 European countries ranked the Chevrolet Volt / Opel Ampera first, from a shortlist comprising Citroen DS5, Fiat Panda, Ford Focus, Opel Ampera / Chevrolet Volt, Range Rover Evoque, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Up.

Opel Ampera / Chevrolet Volt won with 330 votes out of a total 1475 cast, ahead of the Volkswagen Up! with 281 votes and the Ford Focus with 256.

This is the second time when an alternative powertrain vehicle is being named European Car of the Year, after the 2011 edition was won by the all-electric Nissan Leaf.

The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964. This year is the first time the prize is presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

Both, Opel Ampera and Chevrolet Volt are equipped with the ground-breaking Voltec propulsion system that provides instant torque of 370 Nm, enabling zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around 9 seconds.

Ampera and Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free for up to 80 kilometers, powered by a full charge of electricity stored in the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the battery is depleted, a gasoline powered 1.4L generator kicks in to extend the car’s range to a total of over 500 kilometers. Two large screens provide essential information and help the driver use the Volt’s unique propulsion system as efficiently as possible.

Opel said today it has already received some 7,000 orders for its award-winning Ampera. This latest figure even surpasses Opel’s most optimistic expectations for this point in time. “We are extremely pleased with the continuing demand for our Ampera,” says Enno Fuchs, Opel’s e-mobility launch director. “This news shows us that our sales target of 10,000 units for 2012 is well within reach.”

Look for reviews and live photos with ElectricCarsReport’s Geneva Motor Show coverage and become our fan on Facebook.

At the end of February, GM’s Volt inventory rose to 6300 vehicles, enough to last more than 150 days at the current rate of sales.

GM will stop making Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant from March 19 until April 23, Chris Lee, a company spokesman, said in an e-mail March 2. The factory had ramped up to full-speed production Feb. 6 after the New Year’s shutdown.

While sales of the Volt in February more than tripled from a year earlier to 1,023, the rate is below what’s needed to meet Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson’s goal of 45,000 deliveries in the U.S. this year.

In 2011, GM hoped to sell 10,000 Chevrolet Volts, but it had only 7,671 deliveries.

Cumulative sales of the Chevrolet Volt have been 1,626 vehicles, while the cumulative sales of the Nissan Leaf have been 1,154 units this year.

Volt sales are still well below the December 2011 record level, though, and Nissan Leaf sales continue to trend down in the North America, on a decline for over six months, and February being the worst sales month for the Leaf since last April.

The Leaf is being rolled out nationwide this year, with orders opening up in new states for deliveries by this summer. 2012 Volt models went on sale in California this week.

There were also 44 Mitsubishi ‘i’ electric cars sold and even 7 Prius Plug-In Hybrids found buyers on the last day or two of the month.