Green technology is one of the fastest growing markets in the automotive industry and Chevrolet wants to head the pack in plug-in tech. The Chevy Volt sold 2,184 units at the end of May this year. Production is actually being revved up due to demand. According to General Motors, 90% of buyers are male, 80% have a college degree (45% have advanced degrees) and 93% are 'completely' or 'very' satisfied with their purchase.

Though the numbers may be inflated, it still goes with the idea that most people don't want to spend egregious amounts of money on gas guzzlers (while oil prices continue to rise especially in the summer months). The question remains: Why not go for something eco-friendly, uses gas only 1/3 of the time, and is relatively well priced? Chevrolet realized this trend and is expanding upon the Volt with a likely production of the concept Volt MPV5. Set to debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the new plug-in hybrid crossover will have a 150hp electric motor that is charged by a 16kWh lithium-ion battery.

A 1.4-liter gasoline unit will come standard. The combustion engine will act purely as a generator increasing the Volt MPV5's range from a meek 32 miles to 300 miles. GM claims that pure EV's don't meet the range requirements drivers need, therefore a range extender is required. Brad Berman from Plugincars reports that GM's western region group manager for environment and energy communications, Dave Barthmuss, has said that a total EV is possible in the future, with a modified version of the Chevy Volt's powertrain without the range extender.

He even mentioned the possibility of an entirely new powertrain system being available. Pricing for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt begins at $38,669 not including tax rebates. Photos displayed are of the 2010 Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept.