At the end of this week Chevrolet announced that the 2016 Volt will start at $33,995, about $1,200 less than the present 2015 Volt.

The second-generation extended-range EV offers 50 miles e-range, 41 mpg combined when running regular gas only, and with up to $7,500 federal tax credit for those eligible, Chevrolet says it can be netted for as low as $26,495.

The news rides in on the heels of our article last week asking noting a price sweet spot more readers than not from GM-Volt.com and HybridCars.com have suggested should be just below $30,000.

SEE ALSO: How Much Does the 2016 Chevy Volt Cost and Why It Matters

Chevrolet’s announcement also falls well short of hints outgoing CEO Dan Akerson dropped before turning over the helm to Mary Barra that a far-greater price drop up to $10,000 would be in order.

“In this next generation we think we can decrease the price on the order of $7,000 to $10,000, without decontenting” Volt, Akerson said at a Fortune magazine “green” conference. “That’s very important to us. And at that point in time I think you’ll see the second generation be much more, hopefully, profitable. I think it will be profitable.”

As it is, the new Volt may still be profitable and as we’ve noted, GM has a tendency to price its alternative energy products – such as Cadillac ELR, outgoing Volt, Cruze diesel, two-mode light-duty trucks and SUVs – just high enough to slow their sales down.

For its part, Chevrolet notes buyers in its largest market, California, – the only state it advertised the present Volt in – may be able to combine incentives and net the Volt for $24,995.

And, the automaker says the new car will attract new faces to the brand.

“The next-generation Chevrolet Volt delivers more technology, the ability to drive further between gas fill-ups and now with even more value to our customers. It’s what our loyal Volt owners told us they wanted,” said Steve Majoros, director, Chevrolet Marketing. “We are confident we will continue to attract new customers to Volt with the vehicle’s product improvements and attractive price.”