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33,000 Sign Up for Battery-Powered Car

Volt model not available till 2010, will cost nearly $40,000

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

August 13, 2008

A New York doctor is assembling the waiting list through the Web site GM-Volt.Com.

Dr. Lyle Dennis, a neurologist, released the list of 33,411 people who signed up to show their intent to buy a Volt when the rechargeable car is produced.

Californians dominate on the Volt waiting list, with large numbers of potential buyers in Texas, Florida and Michigan as well. The list also includes promises from people from 46 countries outside the U.S.

There is a catch however. People on the list suggest they are willing to pay an average of $31,261 for the Volt. GM has said the electric car will sell for almost $40,000 when it becomes available as a first-generation plug-in equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack.

GM is now showing off the Volt in high-profile advertising, including a television commercial during the Olympics. The automaker plans to increase assembly of the hybrid Volt slowly when production begins, suggesting the plug-in will initially be in short supply.

GM first displayed a concept version of the Volt in January 2007. The company is claiming the Volt will run for 40 miles on a lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged at a standard outlet.

The Volt will also reclaim energy from the braking system like a traditional hybrid. The Volt will also carry an on-board engine that will be used to send power to the battery on longer trips.

Toyota Motor Corporation is competing with GM to bring the first mass-market, plug-in hybrid to the marketplace.

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