GM’s future is directly tied to electric vehicles. At least that’s the sense you received listening to Bob Lutz, vice chairman of GM, deliver the Motor Press Guild keynote speech at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Here are highlights from the speech and overviews of two exciting new Chevrolet vehicles that point in the electric/alternative fuel direction.
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Lutz began his speech by claiming that GM has an “unprecedented focus on green technology” and has ramped up the focus even more in 2010.
“In an energy-constrained world,” Lutz said, “it’s critical the auto industry develop alternative sources of energy.”
His logic makes sense and many observers agree that the auto industry simply can no longer afford to rely on oil to supply 98 percent of the energy requirements for vehicles.
Lutz then outlined GM’s E-REV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) vision.
“GM is moving from a company that was focused on mechanically driven vehicles to electrically driven vehicles.”
These new GM vehicles will have a “nominal” range of 40 miles per charge based on the Advanced Lithium Ion battery technology. Although most will likely exceed the “nominal” range, Lutz stated that GM is intentionally providing cautious and conservative estimates. Time will tell if 50-70 miles are possible using GM’s battery technology.
“We’re confident we have a battery pack that delivers the power and safety consumers expect,” Lutz continued.
One of the most interesting statements around GM’s electric vehicles is the likely lifecycle of the battery—about 10 years or 100,000 miles. When pressed on the likely repair costs, Lutz claimed that replacement cost is likely the same “as an engine overhaul.”
There were no specific numbers attached to the cost of an “engine overhaul” so again, time and real-world experience will reveal actual and expected replacement costs. But that’s the story for now.
In the first full year of production for the Chevy Volt, which is slated for 2011, GM expects to deliver 8,000 – 10,000 units. The first vehicles will be purchased and driven primarily in California with other major markets to follow. Full capacity for the Volt is approximately 50,000 – 60,000 vehicles per year.