It seems the trend to drive green may be a permanent change. One can only hope that it will be. Gas prices may have dropped in recent weeks, but that hasn’t stopped more than 33,000 people from jumping onto a waiting list for the new electric car out by General Motors. It is called the Chevrolet Volt and has been in the making since 2007. And it is due out in 2010.

As they race against the clock to beat other automakers to the street with their electric cars, they have found that there is a market in America and all over the world that is waiting to buy.

Buyers

Prospective buyers have signed up from all over the world. Most buyers on the list are from Florida, California, Texas, and Michigan. And these consumers are willing to pay a pretty penny to avoid using gas. The average price that the Volt audience is requesting in paying is around $31,000. This is still a price short of the real deal, since the asking price by General Motors is ten grand more, at $40,000.

The price for the vehicle is based off how much it will cost the company to make the car. General Motors anticipates making no profits off of its first generation of the Volt, while it works on getting its production up and running. The plan is to later have the vehicle cost under $30,000.

The Volt

The Volt, despite its title, is not purely electrical all the time. It runs completely on electricity for the first 40 miles, which is a typical commute for many drivers. After this distance, the engine begins to pull gas to help in the ride and keep the battery going.

The gas tank is only around 6 gallons and will get 400 miles on one tank. This averages about 50 miles per gallon, which is amazing in today's auto industry.

The Delay

Delays have been blamed on the battery pack, which has not been tested as much as they want yet. But they are currently being tested and the company is about 95% sure they will make their deadline release in 2010. And the public has shown with the waiting list that there is a market ready and waiting to drive with electricity.