Chevrolet Volt may eventually come to the UAE

Chevrolet Volt may eventually come to the UAE


General Motors has announced that selected Chevrolet dealers in the United States have begun taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the first mass-production electric vehicle with extended-range capability. Following the U.S. introduction, the Volt will go on sale in global markets starting with Europe and China in 2011. A few will also be sent to the GCC for hot-weather testing to see if they are viable for sale in the UAE.

In the U.S., the Volt will be available for US$ 41,000 (Dhs 150,000), but the U.S. government offers a “tax credit” of up to US$ 7,500 to green vehicle buyers, which brings down the actual U.S. price to US$ 33,500 (Dhs 123,000).

Chevrolet will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as US$ 350 (Dhs 1,284) for 36 months with US$ 2,500 (Dhs 9,175) due at lease signing, including a security deposit. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year, with initial production limited, but later bumping up to 45,000 units for 2012.

The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle on the market that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery. It is powered most of the time by a 111 kW electric motor, equivalent to 149 hp and 370 Nm of torque. A small 1.4-litre petrol engine linked to a 53 kW (71 hp) generator takes over once the battery is depleted to power the motor. Top speed for this front-wheel-drive 4-seater is estimated at 190 kph, with 0-100 kph in about 9 seconds on full charge.

The Volt has a total driving range of more than 500 km and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 60 km, the Volt drives using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 450 km on a full tank of gas.

While the Chevrolet Volt will come standard with a 120-volt charge cord in the U.S. that will provide owners with the ability to charge their Volt directly from a standard home electrical outlet, a 240-volt charging station can also be installed at home. The Volt’s 16-kWh lithium-ion battery is covered by a transferable warranty for eight years or 160,000 km.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has a standard seven-inch touchscreen navigation and an energy-efficient Bose premium audio system. The Volt also has an array of standard safety features, including eight airbags and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control. The Volt is constructed of 80% high-strength steel for additional safety and protection.

General Motors Middle East will be receiving Volt vehicles to test their performance and reliability in the hot climate conditions of the region shortly after the launch of Volt in the United States. Based on the outcome of those tests, GM Middle East will make a decision as to whether the Volt will be sold through GM’s retail network in the Middle East. A few years ago, the Volt wouldn’t have made sense in the UAE, but after recent announcements to bump up petrol prices to international levels for the poor local oil companies, this car might actually have a market here, although not in neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman where petrol is still subsidised.

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Comments

  1. yeah.. it will come here if they dont sell enough in the US.. we get the leftovers here! 🙂
    and they will probably bump up the price to 200K when/if it gets here..

  2. they should use it in taxi’s and car rental companies… otherwise i doubt it will sell well… But that ofcourse IF they passed the testing in the hot weather here… which i think not…

  3. But, during testing, they had taken the car to Death Valley where temperatures go well into the 50’s (Celsius). If it worked there, it should work here.

    “GM engineers have tested the Volt and its batteries all the way from Death Valley, California, to the wilds of Canada just below the Arctic Circle to make sure they operate properly. The battery packs are heated and cooled to maintain their proper disposition and should last 10 years, or well over 100,000 miles.”
    -Market Watch

  4. Irony is, aren’t they the people that killed the EV their 1st successful all electrical car some decade ago…

  5. @ BJD… if the weather in the death valley matches the one here.. hot, sandy, humid, then its ok… other wise i agree with ameer… what he said is right… IMO

  6. front head lights similar to the Accord 2008-2010 , rear tail lights similar to the ACURA ZDX 2010-2011.

  7. Saw volt parked at one ov da parking al-nahda dubai

  8. Author

    Cool, take a picture when you see it again.

  9. The volt will not touch the UAE nor GCC unless the infrastrure are ready. GM might have one or two cars to play with in Dubai. In addition GM dealers have no background on EV repairs or experience. (They hardly can repair nor cars)

    You need VOLT, built the infrastruere first
    Walk befor you run Detriot
    It is time to stop wasting time and money and focus on your key product

  10. I have seen 2 Chevy Volts (White and Black) in Dubai driving down Sheik Zied Road last week. What a asesome car, I cant wait to get back to the states to buy one.

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