GM Announced Plans for the Volt - 2/2/09

At the DC auto show GM has announced plans to help communities get ready for plug in electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt.  GM will start with San Francisco and Washington DC where there is already an interest in plug-in electric vehicles. 

GM wants to work with cities like San Francisco to accelerate the transition to plug-in electric vehicles.  This will help with the success of the Chevy Volt which hits these markets next year.  GM is working with electric utilities, state, city and county governments and local employers to buy a charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles as soon as they are ready to sale. 

The partnerships will give incentives making the electric vehicles more affordable; build a charging infrastructure at public and workplace areas; will be government and corporate vehicle purchases making the introduction of the electric plug-ins successful.

GM has stated that over 30 Volt prototypes powered by lithium-ion battery packs are undergoing rigorous testing.  They went on to say the Volt battery packs will be made in the U.S.

Other positive developments for electric vehicles have emerged:

• The federal government approved a $7.500 tax incentive for customers purchasing a plug-in electric like the Volt.
• Plug-in infrastructure is planned for at least three large cities in California.
• A new Michigan law expedites the development of advanced battery manufacturing.

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