The first Dutch Chevrolet Volt took to the road this month to allow the media, fleet managers and government officials to get acquainted with the unique concept.
The launch of the first Volt coincided with the introduction of the first official, public electric charging station in Dordrecht at the global automotive engineering design and training services centre of TTA international. The municipality plans to roll out in the short term throughout the city a network of over fifteen charging stations for electric car owners in the Dordrecht region. The charging stations are to be installed in a partnership between the municipality and the e-laadpaal foundation. The first charging point on the Dordste Kil II industrial area in Dordrecht was set up by EV-Box, whose driving force is the famous former Formula I driver Huub Rothengatter.
The launch was symbolic as it combined the important prerequisites for electric mobility: the product, the energy infrastructure and the local government's support.

Chevrolet
Representing the importer, Chevrolet Nederland, general manager Ronald Dubbelman joined Mr Harry Wagemakers, Dordrecht alderman for Sustainability, to connect the 'cord' of the Volt to the charging station for the first time. Dubbelman: "The volt is a unique concept, and an important step towards electric mobility. Not a fanciful product, or with a restricted range of action, but a fully-fledged mid-segment car which can deliver excellent performance, is practical, and can cover over 500 kilometres without refuelling or recharging. The order books for the Volt are already quite full. In America there are already Volt drivers who never or almost never refuel."

Charging stations
In order to allow Chevrolet owners to make the best possible use of the electric powertrain of their Volt, to achieve both optimum environmental protection and cost savings, Chevrolet Nederland has entered into a partnership with EV-Box. This company has developed a comprehensive range for the use of charging stations. Recharging the Volt through a charging station can save a maximum of three hours. There is a choice between a charging pole and a wall model. Users can activate the charging station with a contactless card, a mobile phone, a push button or a key. The plug is locked in the charging station during the charging process. It is possible to upgrade a basic EV-Box charging station with a GSM communication module, calculation capabilities, invoicing, access control and transaction data. The Chevrolet dealer can help the buyer of a Volt when requesting a quotation for a charging station.

The Municipality of Dordrecht and Sustainability
Harry Wagemakers is the alderman in charge of Sustainability for the municipality of Dordrecht. Since 2010 Wagemakers, as an alderman representing the "Beter voor Dordt" party, has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to making Dordrecht more sustainable. "At the moment, I am seriously considering buying an electric car. Price is, however, not the only criterion. Reliability is just as important, and the range of action is often limited. I don't want to come to standstill on the A20 at night. This is why I am definitely tempted by the concept of a petrol-powered range-extender like that of the Volt. As it happens, sustainability is one of the three key principles of the Dordrecht City Council. In practice, that translates into major projects, such as the establishment of an energy corporation, but also in daily affairs. Energy saving comes first. For example, by replacing lighting and using cars with an A label and wherever possible electric vehicles. Rolling out a distribution network of charging stations in our municipality is an important step and I am glad that a charging station will now also be available in our important industrial area the "Dordste Kil II".

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