Report: GM CEO wants to triple company’s electric sales by adding more models

December 21, 2010May 4, 2011 Omar Rana 2011, Chevrolet Volt, Compact Cars, Dan Akerson, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, plug-in hybrids

GM CEO Dan Akerson flashes 'V' for Victory and Volt

Earlier this year, General Motors’ CEO Dan Akerson said that he is looking for ways to triple the production of the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Well, there’s a reason behind all that. Akerson wants triple GM’s target for electric-car sales by expanding the market for the Chevrolet Volt and adding models that would share similar technology, sources said.

According to three people familiar with the matter, Akerson told his executive team earlier this month to look for ways to sell three to four times as many electric-vehicles for 2012 by mid-decade.

GM expects to sell 10,000 Volts in 2011 and 45,000 the following year, when capacity may reach 60,000.

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Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, “T”-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 340 miles. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.