GM Holden Sets Environmental Metrics for Volt Dealers

GM Holden says the 49 Australian dealers that sell and service General Motors’ Volt extended-range electric car will have to be environmentally accredited.

In announcing it has received its first orders for the EREV, to be badged the Holden Volt, the auto maker says the dealers selected include some in rural areas because the Volt’s long-range capability means electric-car ownership no longer is restricted to city dwellers.

John Elsworth, GM Holden sales, marketing and aftersales executive director, says each dealer has committed to earning environmental accreditation through the Victoria Automotive Chamber of Commerce and to investing in new tooling and infrastructure to support Volt servicing requirements.

“Accreditation assures customers that the dealer takes its environmental responsibility seriously,” Elsworth says in a statement.

To attain accreditation, dealerships must implement a minimum number of environmental-management practices. This could include recycling, efficient energy usage and reducing both the use and disposal of toxic chemicals.

“Each dealer will also install a dedicated Volt charging station and invest in new tooling and training to ensure the highest standards of service for owners of Holden’s first electric car,” Elsworth says.

He says the first orders were placed last month by dealers who reported strong interest in the EREV. Pricing, specifications and launch timings will be announced before the end of July.

GM Holden has joined the Victoria state government’s electric-vehicle trial by supplying recharging data collected from its own fleet of Volts now undergoing testing.

The Victoria trial is meant to smooth the move toward EV technology. It includes more than 60 organizations, 60 vehicles and 200 charging locations. GM Holden Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall says the auto maker’s participation in the trial will help grow consumer awareness of emerging vehicle technologies.

“By getting involved in the Victorian electric-vehicle trial, we hope to develop a better understanding of how people drive and recharge vehicles in Australia,” he says.

GM Holden has been running a demonstration and engineering fleet of left-hand-drive Volts since last December. The first-right hand-drive models now are making their debut on Melbourne streets, driven by GM Holden employees who will test them for 12 weeks.

The employees will give feedback to the launch team and share insights into their experiences with the EREV through social networks.

“Ordinarily, the vehicle-development process is shrouded in secrecy, but with Volt we’re taking a different approach and encouraging the Volt-evaluation drivers to talk about their cars with friends, families and online contacts,” Marshall says.