Electricity

The first production Chevrolet Volt has rolled off the assembly line at a General Motors Co. factory in Detroit, but anyone who wants to buy the electric-drive vehicle is going to have to bid for it.
The Volt — bearing the vehicle identification number ending in BU100002 — will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, the automaker said. Details on the auction can be found at Volt.CharityBuzz.com. Bidding ends Dec. 14.
"Every aspect of the Volt — from its aerodynamic shape to its battery chemistry — is a testament to the importance of math and sciences," GM North America President Mark Reuss said Tuesday. "By encouraging Detroit-area students to pursue these topics, we hope to cultivate the next generation of engineers who will build upon the Volt's innovative technologies."
The Volt is the first of a new generation of mass-produced plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles to hit the U.S. auto market. It will retail for $41,000 when it hits showrooms in December, but it will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Lease deals will also be available.