2011 Chevrolet Volt priced at $41,000

General Motors has announced that selected Chevrolet dealers in the United States have begun taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the first mass-production electric vehicle with extended-range capability.

In the U.S., the Volt will be available for $41,000, but the U.S. government offers a “tax credit” of up to $7,500 to green vehicle buyers, which brings down the actual U.S. price to $33,500.

Chevrolet will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months with $2,500 due at lease signing, including a security deposit. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year, with initial production limited, but later bumping up to 45,000 units for 2012.

The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle on the market that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery. It is powered most of the time by a 111 kW electric motor, equivalent to 149 hp. A small 1.4L petrol engine linked to a 53 kW (71 hp) generator takes over once the battery is depleted to power the motor. Top speed for this front-wheel-drive 4-seater is estimated at 190 kph, with 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds on full charge.

The Volt has a total driving range of more than 500 km and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt drives using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of gas.

While the Chevrolet Volt will come standard with a 120-volt charge cord in the U.S. that will provide owners with the ability to charge their Volt directly from a standard home electrical outlet, a 240-volt charging station can also be installed at home. The Volt’s 16-kWh lithium-ion battery is covered by a transferable warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has a standard seven-inch touchscreen navigation and an energy-efficient Bose premium audio system. The Volt also has an array of standard safety features, including eight airbags –- dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and roof-rail side-impact –- and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control. The Volt is constructed of 80% high-strength steel for additional safety and protection.

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