Transportation | August 22, 2007 |
GM Rumored to Build Volts in Bulk
That would be a huge number to make within the next few years considering the technical challenges in mass producing lithium ion batteries, according to an industy expert.
If (and this is a big if) GM can sell a Volt that gets 80 mpg or above (equivalent since most of the driving would be solely under electric power) for under $30,000, it would be highly disruptive in the market and could turn the company's fortunes around in a hurry.
Yet to be determined: what government incentives would be provided to defray some of the cost of purchasing the vehicle, as well as the impact on the power grid. Although most recharging would be done off-peak, it's funny that at the same time people are trying to get off the grid and reduce power consumption, many folks are crazy for a car that would rely get most of its power off the grid. The best solution? Solar panels, net metering, and a plug-in hybrid.
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Comments By Readers
If GM spent as much time building these cars as telling us about what they're about to build I think it would be better. Anyone for vaporware?
This is big news! A few clarifications:
* The companies contracted to bid on supplying batteries to GM say they can deliver.
* It may or may not be 80 MPG equivalent, but it's definitely 80+MPG of gasoline. Of course, there are inherent benefits in displacing gasoline with cheaper, cleaner, domestic electricity.
* Both the US Pacific National Lab study you cite and the Electric Power Research Institute/Natural Resources Defense Council study (see the CalCars-News Archive) have demonstrated that our grid will have off-peak power for plug-in cars as they penetrate the market, and your solutions point to an ever-cleaner power grid.
-- Felix Kramer, Founder, The California Cars Initiative (CalCars.org)
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