General Motors celebrates arrival of Chevrolet Volt in China

General Motors celebrated the arrival of the first drivable Chevrolet Volt in China on August 31. China is one of the initial markets outside the United States to receive the Volt. GM’s landmark electric vehicle with extended-range capability will go on sale locally next year.

“GM has made a long-term commitment to bringing our industry-leading technology to China,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “This is enabling us to provide the best mobility solutions for addressing the transportation challenges associated with the growth in demand for personal mobility. With GM taking the lead, the development of electric vehicles is opening up entirely new industries.”

During today’s celebration, GM delivered two Chevrolet Volts to the Shanghai Expo Bureau for use as part of its VIP transportation fleet at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The Volt will shuttle special guests to and from Shanghai’s Expo Park and demonstrate GM’s pathway to its vision of sustainable urban transportation.

According to Wale, “The Volt is a vehicle that makes no compromises. It reduces our dependency on petroleum and cuts emissions, offers a total driving range of about 500 kilometers, and is powered by electricity at all times. It provides users the latest technology, outstanding innovation and something no other electric vehicle can offer – peace of mind.”

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a range of climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. For up to the first 60 kilometers, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gasoline-powered range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 450 kilometers on a full tank. This eliminates so-called “range anxiety.”

The Volt will be available in China with the OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service. Chevrolet and OnStar developed the automotive industry’s first working smartphone application system that will allow Volt owners to set the charge time, start their vehicle, track mileage, unlock doors and much more from a smartphone or home computer on a 24/7 basis. The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone application is designed to enhance the overall Volt ownership experience with interaction and control never offered before on any electric vehicle.

The first driveable Chevrolet Volt in China is shown at the China Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Two Volts will be used for VIP transportation during the remaining months of the Expo. The Volt will go on sale in China in the latter half of 2011.