GM ramps-up Volt availability, readies to announce "major consumer initiative" for lithium-ion batteries.

The long-awaited Chevrolet Volt, which is scheduled to land at dealerships in select locations in 2011, will be available nationwide within 18 months of the launch, GM recently announced. Unbound by the same charging requirements and 100-mile range as the all-electric Nissan LEAF, the plug-in hybrid Volt, will runs off both an electric drive system that is either powered by batteries or a gasoline engine.

Whereas, an all-electric vehicle needs to be plugged in (or to have its batteries replaced) when the electrical charge is exhausted, a plug-in hybrid will continue to run on gasoline after the battery is exhausted. In the case of the Volt, that is about 40 miles.

According to GM:

"the first Volts available for retail sales will be sold in California, Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas and the New York City metropolitan area later this year. Volts are expected to arrive at dealerships in Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, as well as the balance of Texas and New York in the first quarter of 2011. Additional markets will be added as production volume increases during the second model year, with Volt available in all 50 states 12 to 18 months after the initial launch."

GM said it plans to produce 10,000 Volts by the end of the 2011 calendar year, and an additional 30,000 Volts during the 2012 calendar year.

The company also said it would be holding a major consumer initiative pertaining to its lithium-ion batteries on Wednesday. Details to follow as they become available.