Nissan’s move to dramatically reduce prices of its all-electric Leaf and introduce a new entry-level model that starts at $28,800, or as low as $18,800 after federal tax credit and state rebate, as well as Ford’s action to slash Focus Electric prices by up to $4,000 last month, did not go by unnoticed from GM, which announced a significant price cut for the Chevrolet Volt.

The Detroit carmaker has lowered the price of the 2014 Volt by $5,000, from $39,995 to $34,995, including an $810 destination fee (excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees) while retaining the same features. Applying federal tax credits ranging from $0-$7,500 (depending on individual tax liability), drop the price to as low as $27,495.

“The lower price and cost savings from driving on electricity provide Volt owners an unmatched balance of technology, capability and cost of ownership,” said Don Johnson, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet sales and service. “The 2014 Volt will offer the same impressive list of features, but for $5,000 less.

Pure electric and plug-in hybrid car sales remain low in the U.S. totaling a little over 41,000 units in the first six months of the year, according to data from Autonews. That’s less than the number of Dodge Darts sold in the same period (close to 45,000).

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