By Breana Noble, MediaNews Group

General Motors Co. more than doubled its electric vehicle sales in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago, while increasing its overall U.S. sales by 7.7%.

The Detroit automaker sold 710,347 vehicles — the most of any automaker — in the July-September period. That included 66,501 EVs, which were up 107% year-over-year. The increase came as the up-to-$7,500 federal tax credit for plug-in vehicles expired on Tuesday, generating a burst of EV buying activity in its final months available. GM and rival Ford Motor Co., however, have concocted a way to continue offer taxpayer-funded discounts into the fourth quarter.

The results outpaced dealer services provider Cox Automotive Inc.’s expectations that the company’s sales would increase 7.1%,

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