Steinbeck’s California (the one with the desolate, haunting landscape, scattered farm plots and abandoned homes) will soon be cheaper to access from the places where you’d likely buy a new Volt in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles) if you plan on buying the electric vehicle.

At the end of February, GM is adding an extra emissions systems fan to Volts sold exclusively in California. This extra fan will reduce tailpipe emissions so new California Volt buyers can access a $1,500 state rebate and the super quick car pool lanes. It’s a measure meant to motivate marginally interested prospective purchasers.

While California was already responsible for a full quarter of 2011 Volt sales (7,671 in total were sold across the U.S.), GM is putting even more faith in the state that fully embraces its trend-setting perception, hoping continued golden state momentum translates to full scale national adoption. Go east, young Volt, gooooo EEEEAAAASSSTTTTTT!

California’s got 1,400 miles of lanes designated solely for double-occupancy vehicles. That’s a whole lotta less-congested blacktop single-occupant Volts can be enjoying. These high-occupancy vehicle lanes have been known to save as much as 36 minutes per day in commuting times! Think of all the great California things you can do with 36 extra minutes a day…in California. (There’s nothing to explain with the $1,500 rebate other than it’s $1,500 Californians won’t have to spend, which Californians can devote to more California things.)

As California tastes go, regardless of the motivation, so go the rest of the U.S.’s? GM certainly hopes so.

To buy a new GM in states outside of California through CarWoo, click here. To buy a new GM if you live in California at nice reduced rate, click here.