It may not be the best of times for GM, but we can’t help but be excited by the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

As we already know, The Volt uses electricity to move its wheels at all times. Electrical power stored in its lithium-ion battery can be used for trips of up to 64 kilometres.

When the battery’s energy is used up, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator creates electricity to power the Volt’s electric motor while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional kilometres, or until the vehicle’s battery can be plugged into a home charging station.

We can also expect to see Volt technology in GM’s other surviving brands, as time goes on. Volt production is slated to begin in late 2010. Expect pricing to be in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. Maybe.