California Center for Sustainable Energy

A caravan of six Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid cars on a cross-country tour to promote the new vehicle’s sales debut this fall will make its only stop in San Diego at CCSE on Wednesday, Oct. 20. San Diegans can preview the car, talk to GM engineers and do test drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center’s parking lot at 8690 Balboa Avenue in Kearny Mesa.

“The Chevy Volt is undoubtedly one of the most technologically advanced vehicles ever to hit America’s roadways and made available to American drivers,” said Mike Ferry, CCSE’s transportation programs manager. “We’ve talked for decades about breaking our addiction to oil – the Volt will help get us there.”

The 3,400-mile “Volt Unplugged” tour begins in Seattle, making stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles before arriving in San Diego, and continues to eight other cities, ending up in Chicago in late November. GM selected CCSE for the Volt demonstration because the center administers the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and is a leader in local development of electric vehicle infrastructure.

Also on display during the Volt demonstration will be Envision Solar’s CleanCharge charging station that incorporates solar power to energize electric vehicle batteries. San Diego-based Envision was selected by GM recently to install the innovative stations at a number of prominent locations nationwide to promote the use of renewable energy to power electric vehicles. The station’s solar panels are mounted on a “solar tree” above where the vehicle parks and achieve a high efficiency by tracking the sun’s path during the day.

"The Volt Unplugged tour will give people a chance to get behind the wheel of the Volt and find out for themselves what makes this vehicle so special," said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt product and marketing director. “This drive will demonstrate the one-of-a-kind capabilities of the Volt, the only electric vehicle able to drive such long distances under a variety of driving conditions and climates without having to stop to recharge.”

On a fully charged battery and tank of gas, the Volt has a driving range of hundreds of miles. Because the Volt can use gasoline to create its own electricity in extended-range mode, long trips are possible. The Volt is powered only from electricity stored in its 16- kWh lithium-ion battery for a typical range of 25 to 50 miles depending on terrain, driving technique, temperature and battery age. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas engine-generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range. A full charge takes up to 10 hours using a 120-volt outlet and about 4 hours if you have a 240-volt supply.

The Chevrolet Volt starts production at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck facility this fall and will be sold in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington, D.C. Quantities will be limited. The Volt will be sold nationwide about 12-18 months after start of production.

The Volt’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $41,000 ($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges up to $7,500). GM expects to offer qualified lessees a price as low as $350/month over 36 months with $2,500 down at lease signing.

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