Earlier this month GM release the price of their 240V Voltec home charging unit that is designed to quickly and more efficiently recharge the Chevrolet Volt in your garage. Set at a minor dent in your wallet $490, it seems fairly inexpensive. That is, until you have it installed. Hovering at about $1500, it’s the installation that’s going to break the bank! So rather than plugging your Volt into a normal outlet in your garage and taking around 10 hours to reach a full charge from empty, The $2000 240V Voltec charging unit will complete the same job in only 4 hours. Incase anyone is wondering, the Votec system’s overall cost is in line with the Nissan Leaf’s Aerovirnment 240V charge station. Fortunately for the first limited Volt buyers, and living in places with local incentives, you may be able to get a free charger. See Chevrolet’s website for details.

Well the day is finally approaching for the launch of the much anticipated 2011 Chevy Volt. The 11th of November is marked on GM’s calendar as the targeted production launch for the Volt. We should be seeing the first models around the dealer lots in early December if eveything goes according to plan. Between now and November, GM’s plant in Detroit-Hamtramck will continue to build pre-production units for employee real-world evaluation and testing.