SAN JOSE, CA - Starting today, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets will begin taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Chevrolet will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months at manufacturer's suggested retail price -- with $2,500 due at lease signing including a security deposit based on current conditions, which could vary at time of delivery.

The benefit of the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the tax credit going to the lessor. The Volt's MSRP will start at $41,000 ($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges from $0-$7,500) including a destination freight charge of $720. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial production limited.

"The Chevrolet Volt will be the best vehicle in its class...because it's in a class by itself," said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, who made the announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference.

The Volt will be initially available to Chevrolet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area. To be among the first to purchase a Volt, customers can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Volt dealer.

A Volt dealer locator will be available at www.getmyvolt.com. Chevrolet has a team of Volt advisers available to answer questions at (888) 865-8496.

The Chevrolet Volt has a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, 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 gas-powered, range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.

Depending on their tax situation, Volt owners can qualify for up to $7,500 in U.S. federal income tax credit, as well as for other potential state and local tax credits, depending on location. Owners in certain states may qualify for the added convenience of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access.

While the Chevrolet Volt will come standard with a 120-volt charge cord that will provide owners with the ability to charge their Volt directly from a standard home electrical outlet, a total of 4,400 Volt buyers in launch markets could be eligible for a free 240-volt charging station, including home installation. The installations are part of a program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to install approximately 15,000 240-volt home charging stations across the U.S.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has standard technology features including seven-inch touch screen navigation and an energy-efficient Bose premium audio system.

The Volt also has an array of standard safety features, including eight air bags -- dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and roof-rail side-impact --and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control. The Volt is constructed of 80 percent high-strength steel for additional safety and protection.

Chevrolet will provide customer assistance via a Volt advisor available 24/7 by phone or Internet. Dealers will also provide on-site dedicated Volt service and sales experts who will be able to address inquiries.

The Volt is the first GM vehicle to offer five years of OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation, all standard. Volt will expand on OnStar's safety and security technology through the introduction of an OnStar-enabled mobile app that connects the vehicle to the owner's smartphone.

"We wanted to make the Volt ownership experience unlike anything we've done at Chevrolet, because the Volt is unlike any vehicle we've offered," said Tony DiSalle, director of Chevrolet Volt product marketing. "We want customers to fully enjoy the Volt lifestyle by providing unprecedented connectivity to their vehicle through the Volt mobile app."