General Motors’ top car designer says the company will accelerate distribution of the Chevrolet Volt electric car so it’s sold in every U.S. state by the end of this year.

Design chief Ed Welburn made the announcement Thursday in a speech at the Washington, D.C., auto show.

Previously, GM had said the $41,000 Volt would be sold in every state by sometime next year.

Volt sales began in December in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., and Texas. It’s scheduled to go on sale in Michigan next.

GM plans to make 10,000 Volts this year. Welburn says the company is looking at ways to increase production and expand use of the technology.

The Volt can go about 35 miles on battery power before a gas generator kicks in.