When it comes to plug-in electric vehicles, no country can match Kyopenhagen host Denmark’s subsidies for green consumers — the Danes dole out $40K per car. But U.S. automakers and their green allies are certainly trying to keep up with the Jensens.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday, General Motors announced that the rollout of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid would take place in select U.S. markets — beginning with California. A key factor in picking the target areas, says Chevy division President Brent Dewar, is “we’re looking at infrastructure, tax credits.”

That is, local government sweeteners — on top of the $7,500 federal tax credit Volt buyers will receive — to ease the sticker shock of a small car that costs up to twice as much as a gas-powered car in its class.

Sweeteners like? GM spokesman Rob Peterson offers some specifics: “Ownership incentives, HOV-lane incentives, preferred parking, and so on.”

In California, for example, Better Place — which is teaming with Denmark and Israel to build costly, government-financed charging stations that will cost taxpayers millions — is lobbying governments in the Bay Area to help build charging infrastructure. And Californians already get preferred access to HOV lanes if they drive a hybrid vehicle.

Other metro communities around the country give free public parking to hybrid owners (even the Bronx!), while other cities are contemplating subsidies for public-parking developers who build charging outlets.

Other states go even further. Texas lawmakers are proposing a $4,000 state tax credit for the purchase of plug-ins like the Volt. Add in the $7,500 federal credit, and PC Texans could see a rebate of $11,500 from state and federal tax credits.

U.S. taxpayers aren’t on the hook for 40-grand-per-car yet — but greens are getting there.