The new Electric Vehicle, Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid has been on the market not even 6 months, and already it is gaining popularity among 'green' consumers. But General Motors wants to become an even more active participant in the green revolution.

In a new initiative, called 'The Green Zone' Chevrolet dealerships like Biggers Chevrolet - 385 E Chicago Street in Elgin, Illinois will have the opportunity to give back to the Earth, as Chevrolet plans on installing solar-powered electric charging stations at dealerships across North America. One of the goal for this initiative is to help those test driving and purchasing the Volt sedan.

"The Chevrolet Green Zone will provide our U.S. dealers with added flexibility when it comes to charging their vehicles, while also reinforcing GM's commitment to renewable energy projects." ¹ explains Chris Perry, VP of Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy.

These solar-power stations will generate electricity equivalent to 12 vehicle charges a day. And all extra electricity produced will be used to power the dealership itself. "Just one of these canopies provides enough renewable energy to power two to three homes per year, or more than 25 percent of a dealership's energy consumption," said Perry. "Collectively, that will be a lot of power we are putting back into the grid."²

The Green Zone Initiative is part of GM's recent announcement to invest $7.5 million in Sunlogics, a solar panel manufacturing company. The American automaker, also announced that it wants to double its solar output by 2015.

Source: ^1,2http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/ViewNews.aspx?newsid=10830