GM to Begin Sales of Volt in California, Other Lead Markets to Follow; Partnership with Utilities
02 December 2009
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM announced that the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle will first be available late next year in California, with other lead markets to be named later. Chevrolet is also partnering with three California utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) as part of an extended, real-world demonstration and research program to introduce customers to electric vehicles, advance vehicle electrification and establish vehicle charging programs to pave the way for consumers.
General Motors is leading the program with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the US Department of Energy.
Volt production is scheduled to begin in late 2010. Pricing has not been announced. The initial Volt launch markets, including California, will play a vital role in validating the retail market readiness for electric vehicles. GM is working with key utilities across North America to prepare each regional market in advance of the retail market deployment.
Three California utilities participating in the demonstration project are Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. They join EPRI, an independent, nonprofit research organization based in Palo Alto, Calif., and seven other utilities in the project. EPRI’s utility members represent more than 90% of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States.
As part of the research and demonstration program, Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to program participants to use in their fleets for two years. Chevrolet will also utilize OnStar telematics technology to collect vehicle performance data and driver feedback that will be reported to the DOE and used to improve customers’ experiences with the new technology.
Because the Volt is designed to conveniently charge anywhere, the program also includes installing more than 500 charging stations for residential, business and public use. The charging stations will be used to learn more about the installation, the vehicle charging process and to gain customer feedback on the experience.
Hopefully they'll put some of these stations at malls. The 2-3 hour shopping timeline would provide enough charge to get people home without liquid fuel. Also a few chargers at high traffic public parking lots (downtown areas) would provide data on viability of charging while parked.
I imagine "Free Charging" will become a featured promotion for businesses who own their parking lots and sell bigger ticket items. That means 7/11 is outta luck.
Posted by: sulleny | 02 December 2009 at 01:16 PM
For most average automobile trips the Volt will not have to be recharged. In the northern US states and Canada there are many engine heating electrical outlets with out much comment or research or government subsidies. In an hour, you can take about $0.25 worth of electricity out of a standard outlet. Please deposit 25 cents for your next hour machines could be made very cheaply in China. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 04 December 2009 at 09:37 AM