Michigan’s First Chevy Volt (Quietly) Hits the Road

December 2010 will be a month to remember in electric vehicle history. This month marks the first time that an American-made electric car has been delivered and sold to the public.

The Chevy Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that gets about 93 mpg on a fully charged battery, is humming its way into car dealerships in New York City, California, Washington D.C. and Texas. The Volt will find its way to Michigan dealerships in Spring 2011.

From now until then, Michigan LCV will be pushing Michigan legislators to support incentives for new electric vehicle infrastructure that is easier and less expensive for residents to use. Providing charging stations and equipment is a necessary step to getting the public moving in electric vehicles.

Volt manufacturers know that drivers still need flexibility to consider driving an electric vehicle. The Volt’s battery has enough energy to cover about 35 miles. Once the battery is drained, the onboard generator, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, switches on and makes more electricity, allowing the Volt to drive for hundreds of additional miles. If you only drive about 40 miles between charges, you may hardly use a drop of gasoline.

Retired General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who has pushed for an electric car since the mid-2000s, said in a recent Detroit Free Press interview: “I’m sick and tired of Toyota basking in the glory of being the world’s most environmentally sensitive automotive company. The only way to stop it is to put something out there.”

Here at Michigan LCV, we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we also need to install more charging stations across the state and country, and create the legislative incentives for new electric vehicle charging equipment and vehicle purchases.

GM plans to build 10,000 Volts by the end of 2011 and at least 45,000 in 2012. With the growth and expansion of the new Volt, GM has plans to hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in the next two years, proving that this next generation of electric vehicles will create and maintain jobs for years to come.

For now, if you want to see or learn more about the Volt, you can visit the GM plant in Hamtramck where the cars are lining up to be shipped across the country.

When you visit, take a picture and send it to Michigan LCV via our  "Tell Us Your Story" page. And send it to your state legislators in Lansing. Write them about the roar (or, rather the quiet hum) of your next dream car.