Just as dealers have to discount unpopular cars, they often add "surcharges" to models where demand outstrips supply. It's auto dealership yin and yang, or something.

Now mega-dealer chain AutoNation has drawn a line in the sand, flatly stating that its dealers will sell their limited allocation of 2011 Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric cars for the sticker price--which is $41,000 including a $720 delivery charge.

Worries over rapacious dealers marking up 2011 Volts spiked early this month, when an e-mail from one Los Angeles dealer quoted a $20,000 surcharge on the Volt.

2011 Nissan Leaf

2011 Nissan Leaf

GM will only make 10,000 Volts in 2011, and another 45,000 during 2012, and demand for the carmaker's first-ever four-seat, four-door electric car is expected to be high.

AutoNation will extend the same policy to the 2011 Nissan Leaf, with a sticker price of $32,780. Sticker prices for both cars do not reflect any Federal tax credits or state incentives.

There's one little exception to this policy: Dealer-installed options are still allowed.  Does that mean we're likely to see $20,000 floor mat or clear-coat packages?

[Green Car Advisor]