Chevrolet Volt goes on sale in USA

By Tom Phillips

28th July 2010

The wait is over. Chevrolet has now announced that its innovative new range-extender hybrid Volt will cost 41,000 dollars (£26,450). GM has said that this amount can be reduced to as little as 33,500 dollars (£21,500) once tax credits are applied.

The Volt will be rolled out as part of a phased process in America. The first cars will arrive towards the end of this year, and will be available in the states of California, Washington DC, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut and Texas.

The rest of the USA should be covered in the next 12-18 months, while UK sales should start in 2012, with the car costing around £30,000. The Volt will qualify for a £5,000 Plug-in car government grant, providing the car goes on sale before the March 2012 cut-off for the scheme.

US buyers will qualify for a federal or state income tax credit. This depends on which state you live in and ranges between and 7,500 dollars (£4,500), which is deducted from the buyer's next tax return.

Buyers will also have the option of a three-year lease deal which costs as little as 0 (£225) per month, after an initial 2,500 dollars (£1,600) payment, if you live in a State which offers the full amount of tax credit.  Leasers can then elect to buy the car after the 36-month period expires.

The first Volts come loaded with standard kit too. Sat-nav with a seven-inch screen, an eight-year/100,000 mile battery warranty, Bluetooth, Bose stereo and five years of OnStar service included.

The OnStar service, which includes Google sat-nav and integrates your mobile with your car, usually costs 300 dollars (£190) a year. The only available options for the Volt are parking sensors, heated leather seats, chrome wheels and three special paint colours.

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