At this point we know that the hybrid Chevy Volt, expected to get the equivalent of 230 miles per gallon, is going to make a splash when it hits dealerships this November. The fact that it can drive around 40 miles on a single charge means that drivers with short commutes could realistically go days without using much gasoline at all. It’s one of the more anticipated vehicles of 2010, but the sticker price of $40,000 has some cash-conscious consumers wondering if they’ll be able to afford it.

But there’s more to a $40,000 price tag than meets the eye. In today’s world buyers are rewarded by the government for making large purchases that benefit the environment. Green decisions can vary from buying energy-efficient appliances to new windows or added insulation. In each of these cases, consumers get a tax break, and the Chevy Volt is no different; in fact, it offers the biggest tax break of all: $7,500.

That brings the price of the Volt down to the neighborhood of $32,500, making the vehicle much more affordable. Warrensburg Chevy dealers can expect a much more willing group of buyers to jump on that price than they are $40,000.

In Kansas City, used car sales of older hybrids still are going to be successful, but the Volt offers savings in gasoline that even ultra-efficient hybrids can’t tackle. Over the course of 100,000 miles, an average car that gets 25mpg will cost the driver about $12,000 in fuel costs, assuming gas is at $3 per gallon. A hybrid that gets 50mpg will have fuel costs at half that amount. The Volt, however, at 230mpg, will run up only $1,200 in gasoline charges over the course of those 100,000 miles. A Kansas City used Chevy may look good at a much lower price for the vehicle, but when you include fuel prices the game changes considerably.

The government wants us to buy vehicles that minimize emissions and keep the environment healthy, and Chevrolet has provided a car that does those things. Lucky for us, the government rewards such a world-conscious purchase by offering big bucks on your tax refund. All-gas engines just can’t do that.