General Motors said on Monday that greater Washington D.C. will be an initial launch market for its upcoming Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability.
The nation’s capital joins California and Michigan as the initial retail markets where Chevrolet will sell the Volt. The Volt is expected to go on sale in November, and GM expects to sell about 10,000 to 11,000 Volts in the first year of production. The automaker expects to sell 50,000 to 60,000 annually afterward.
Chevrolet also announced a development and demonstration program with D.C.-area utilities Pepco and Dominion to introduce customers to electric vehicles and establish vehicle charging programs.
Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Chevy Volts to several utilities across the U.S. – including Pepco and Dominion, which serve Washington D.C. and its suburbs – as part of an extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging and to gauge customer feedback.
The automaker will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities across the U.S. — including Pepco and Dominion — as part of an extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations, which will be installed for residential, business and public use.
“The Chevrolet Volt demonstrates our commitment to the electrification of the automobile,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. “So far, we have invested more than $700 million in the U.S. to reinforce our leadership in this new technology.”
Chevrolet also announced a development and demonstration program with D.C.-area utilities Pepco and Dominion to introduce customers to electric vehicles and establish vehicle charging programs.
“Concentrating Volt sales in these three key initial markets allows us to give our first customers a high-quality experience,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “In addition to geographical considerations, each market also has progressive local and state government leaders and utility partners who are crucial in bringing electric vehicles to market.”
GM is conducting the program with a $30.5 million grant it received as part of the federal stimulus program in August. The Energy Department handed out $2.4 billion in grants to help speed electric vehicle and battery production. GM has already logged more than 250,000 miles on its pre-production Volt vehicles. GM has done hot-weather testing in Death Valley, cold-weather testing in northern Canada; and mountain testing at Pike’s Peak.
The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range if there is no access to an electrical outlet to recharge the battery, providing peace of mind by eliminating range anxiety. Volt production begins later this year, and pricing has not been announced.
