Auto News 5

Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, is no stranger to plugging in an electric vehicle. But when a Chevrolet Volt took the place of the Power Wheels electric Cadillac Escalade in his garage this September, Reuss made the switch from 120-volt to 240-volt charging. While all electric vehicles will charge from a standard household outlet, a 240-volt supply significantly reduces charging time. In the case of Chevy’s Volt, a full recharge drops from eleven hours to four hours. There’s no telling how many plug-in buyers will opt for the higher voltage equipment, but for the early adopters and the fanatical electric-drive enthusiasts, we expect a 240-volt installation will be a rite of passage.