Electric Cars by 2010?
Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors was on a trip in Germany when he discussed the company’s plan for electric vehicles. The interview will be published May 23rd in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, but the following excerpt is available today:
“The company previously said it plans to start serial production of an electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, by the end of 2010. ‘Our two challenges are lowering the cost of batteries and convincing consumers of the advantages of the Volt,’ Wagoner told the newspaper”
The Volt has been a public concept car for a couple of years now and the timetable on its commercialization continues to move forward. General Motors gambled by developing this car long before battery technology made the actual vehicle feasible, but as the batteries continue to improve their energy storage, heat, size and cost issues GM is now positioned to capitalize.
Because of its early investment, GM is primed to win the race to the electric car and the prizes are many: new customers for the brand, accolades from the international media and the attraction of new outside investment for the company.
Being the first automaker to bring a fully electric car to market is the green motoring equivalent of the first moon landing. An electric vehicle will be a game changer, a vehicle that can ease environmental concerns, save consumers from high prices at the pump, make government fuel economy standards achievable and usher in wholesale changes in automotive components, maintenance and manufacture. General Motors has moved one step closer to winning this race.
