General Motors has unleashed the first volley of pre-production Chevrolet Volts on the streets around its Warren test Center. So far, the public has only laid its eyes on Volt mock ups, that is, big rolling models of the real deal. While only a handful of the pre-production electric rides have seen the light of day so far, GM says it plans to roll out up to 80 of them for testing before the car goes on sale late next year.

The Chevrolet Volt boasts a lithium-ion battery pack, and if the hype is to believed, the extended-range electric vehicle will be able to travel 45 miles on pure electric power. For those out there with an overall commute of less than that range, you could possibly drive that full distance without using an ounce of fuel. At night, owners would plug up their Volt and charge it from a home outlet. GM expects the car to carry a price tag of $32,500 after a government tax rebate. [Source: MotorAuthority]