The Plug-In 2010 conference kicked off today with General Motors announcing the cost of the Chevrolet Volt coming to selected regions in the U.S. later this year. A very well equipped Volt will be $33,500, after applying a $7,500 federal tax credit. A lease price of $350 for 36 months was also announced. Extras are leather seats, special wheels, special paint and camera for backing up. The battery pack will have an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty.

Test drives of the Think City electric car were offered at the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance (MBEVA) meeting this past week at the IBEW Local 234 in Castroville.