The Next-Generation Volt Will Be Cheaper

Chevrolet has set a retail price on the 2016 second-generation Volt plug-in electric car at $33,995, which can be reduced by a $7,500 federal tax credit.

While Chevrolet is touting this as $1,200 below the price of the 2015 model, Chevy dealers are carrying a large inventory of unsold 2015 Volts, which was more than a half-year’s supply at the end of March, according to WardsAuto.com

TrueCar, the car-buying information site, reports that after current incentives and the $7,500 federal tax credit, a customer buying a 2015 Volt would pay about $25,933.

Volt sales have fallen sharply, as have sales of most hybrid and plug-in hybrids as gas prices remain below $3 a gallon in most of the country.

The 2016 Volt, which will go on sale later this year, will offer an estimated 50 miles of battery-only travel before its 1.5-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder range-extender kicks in. That is up from about 37 miles on the 2015 model. Those drivers who regularly refill the car’s gas-fueled generator should be able to travel about 1,000 miles between refills.

Workers at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant will continue building the 2016 Volt. They have built the car since it was launched in late 2010.

“The next-generation Chevolet Volt delivers more technology, the ability to drive further between gas fill-ups and now with even more value to our customers. It’s what our loyal Volt owners told us they wanted,” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet marketing for cars and crossovers. “We are confident we will continue to attract new customers to Volt with the vehicle’s product improvements and attractive price.”

This article appeared in print in the May 5th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.