High Praise for New Canaan’s Karl Chevrolet, ‘Volt’ Electric Vehicle from State Officials

State environmental and auto industry officials on Tuesday praised a longstanding New Canaan business for its vision and commitment by way of touting a recently launched rebate program that promotes low-emissions electric vehicles. Since it launched in June, the “Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Purchase Rebate” or ‘CHEAPR’ program has seen more than $200,000 in rebates paid out, spurring the purchase or lease of more than 100 vehicles, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee said during a press event held on the showroom floor of Karl Chevrolet on Elm Street. Standing beside a not-yet-available 2016 Chevy Volt model that was shipped in especially by GM, Klee—his own state-owned Volt charging at the dealership’s own station alongside the building—noted that Leo Karl III, president of Karl Chevrolet, has led efforts across a wide swath of lower Fairfield County to see electric vehicle charging stations installed. The CHEAPR program offers cash rebates of up to $3,000. “It is really this sort of visionary leadership at this level that we need around the state to really drive home” the advantages of driving electric vehicles, Klee said.