The first buyers of the Chevrolet Volt extended range vehicle will be able to pick up one of 4,400 free home charging stations, according to General Motors.
Volt owners will be boosted by a 240V charge station from either ECOtality of Coulomb Technologies with the cost of home installation also expected to be included in many cases. The boost is possible thanks to a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from the Transportation Electrification Initiative.
The aim of the projects is to install charging stations in residential, workplace and public areas while also encouraging customers to buy electric vehicles and studying usage to optimise future electric vehicle infrastructure. The programs will collect data on average charge times, energy usage and the start and end of the charge process to understand how electric vehicles are driven, how and when they are charged and what is required for widespread adoption.
A host of federal grants and other funds have been awarded in an effort to install more than 15,000 home charge stations – this includes the 4,400 for Volt owners. They will receive a portable 120V charge cord and have the option to install a 240V charge station available from Chevrolet.
