DETROIT -- A caravan of Chevrolet Volts will embark on a 3,400-mile, cross-country drive showcasing the electric vehicle with extended-range capability, General Motors announced.

The tour, dubbed "Volt Unplugged," will give consumers an opportunity to test-drive the Volt, meet the people behind the car's development -- Chevrolet engineers, designers and others -- and participate in activities at each stop.

"The Volt Unplugged tour will give people a chance to get behind the wheel of the Volt and find out for themselves what makes this vehicle so special," said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt product and marketing director. "This drive will demonstrate the one-of-a-kind capabilities of the Volt, the only electric vehicle able to drive such long distances under a variety of driving conditions and climates without having to stop to recharge."

The tour is similar to July's "Freedom Drive," where the Volt completed a three-day 1,776-mile drive from Austin, Texas, to New York City to demonstrate the Volt's extended-range capability. Stops on the Volt Unplugged tour include:

• Oct. 9 and 10 - Seattle

• Oct. 13 and 14 - San Francisco

• Oct. 16 - 18 - Los Angeles

• Oct. 20 - San Diego

• Oct. 22 and 23 - San Antonio

• Oct. 24 and 25 -  Houston  

• Oct. 28 and 29 - Miami

• Oct. 30 - Orlando   

• Oct. 29 and 30 - Washington, D.C.

• Nov. 1 - Raleigh, N.C.  

• Nov. 5 - 7 - New York City

• Nov. 18 - 20 - Chicago

Along the drive, Chevrolet representatives will reach out to local community leaders, schools and consumers to educate each group about the Volt and discuss the progress of the nation's electrical vehicle infrastructure. There will also be many opportunities to sit in or drive one of six Volts that will be on tour.

Fans can follow the Volt's journey and register for test-drive opportunities on the "Unplugged" tab located at ChevroletVoltAge.com, the Volt's official social network, or on the Chevrolet Volt Facebook page.  Participants in the tour will share updates using the Volt's online platforms, including the @ChevyVolt Twitter account, the Chevrolet Posterous page and the Chevrolet Volt Foursquare account. These platforms will feature photos, videos and text updates to keep consumers updated on the tour.

On a fully charged battery and tank of gas, the Volt has a driving range of hundreds of miles. Because the Volt can use gasoline to create its own electricity in extended-range mode, long trips are possible. The Volt is powered only from electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery for a typical range of 25 to 50 miles -- depending on terrain, driving technique, temperature and battery age. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas engine-generator engages to extend the driving range

The Chevrolet Volt starts production at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck facility this fall and will be sold in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington D.C. Quantities will be limited. The Volt will be sold nationwide about 12-18 months after start of production.