Many eco-friendly car buyers have (very) patiently awaited the arrival of the Chevy Volt since it was unveiled in concept form nearly four years ago, and now the wait is officially over. Well, the wait is over if you’ve ordered one of the first 160 retail samples of General Motors’ electrically powered halo car and you live in one of the battery-powered sedan’s initial launch markets. Why’s that? Because the first batch of Volts have left the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Michigan and are en-route to California, Texas, Washington D.C and New York.
Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle says that the first batch of Volts represents a milestone for Chevrolet, adding that customers will soon, “experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want.”
The Volt finally hits prime time with an EPA-approved range of 35 miles on a single charge, with the ability to travel up to 379 miles when also using its 1.4-liter petrol generator. The Volt also enters the Chevy showroom with the Motor Trend and Automobile Car of the Year awards. The first production Volt that will be sold is up for auction (ends tomorrow). Current high bid: $185,000.
These are the first of an expected 160 vehicles to be shipped this week.
“Today is a historic milestone for Chevrolet,” said Tony DiSalle, Volt marketing director. “We have redefined automotive transportation with the Volt, and soon the first customers will be able to experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want.”
The heart of the Volt is its Voltec electric propulsion system, which combines battery-only electric driving with an efficient, gas-powered engine giving the Volt up to 379 total miles of driving before having to recharge the battery or fill up the small gas tank. The Volt is the only mass produced U.S.-built electric vehicle.
Earlier this year, Chevrolet shipped 15 pre-production Volts to technology enthusiasts and electric vehicle advocates whom were the first consumers to experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a 90-day vehicle and charging evaluation program.
MotorTrend, Automobile and Green Car Journal each recently selected the Volt as their Car of the Year
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