GM to Fed: Don’t count on Volt and plug-in hybrids when deciding mileage standards

Posted: Jul 09, 2008
Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, Hybrids, Green News, Industry News

GM is telling the federal regulators not to count on any overall fuel-economy gains for the brand on the upcoming Chevrolet Volt or any other plug-in hybrids on the market when setting their new fuel-efficiency standards. The automaker said that vehicles like the Volt will be built in very low numbers until 2015.

Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that GM plans to build 10,000 units of the Volt in 2011, its first full year of production. In the following year, GM plans on increasing production to 60,000 units. Even then, Lutz said the target production depends on the production of battery and electrical suppliers.

In the beginning of this year, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) proposed a 25% increase in fuel-economy rules from 2011 to 2015. NHTSA based the rules on product plans from GM and other domestic automakers. If put into effect, the standard would cost GM an estimated $17.3 billion alone.

GM has been very cautious in the mass development of the Volt since the technology used is pretty new and innovative, said spokesman Greg Martin

“There’s a note of caution that, yes the technology is breakthrough, it is a game-changer, but as with any new game-changing technology, there needs to be a reasonable expectation set in terms of volume,” said Martin.

 

Source: Free Press

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  • Brian M.
    The Fed needs to stop interfering with the market, they only create unintended consequences. Let consumers decide what cars they want to drive and let companies be free to fill those needs. It's how we've advanced so far along so far and I hate to see it being destroyed with people's "good intentions" who know nothing about the industry they try to control.
  • justmatt
    Fair enough guys but do keep in mind that this is the point the big 3 have been using this mind set for years and it has just got them in more trouble. The US has pretty weak "market interference" compared to just about any industrialized western nation. The regulations in Japan and Europe are much tougher.
  • Bobmarley
    Exactly. The fed has no part in setting fuel economy standards for the auto industry or any industry for that matter. It is not their roll to dictate/ruin the free market that America thrives on. But this is what we will get with Obama as president . . . big stupid government that will claim they can fix everything
  • justmatt
    The car that is going to save GM is only going to be built in low volume until 2015.
    I hope GM is not betting a fairy is going to sprinkle pixie dust on their stock until then. She got flushed down the toilet with the first 80% of GM stock value. Someone must have forgot to put the seat down.
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