GM wants your help in producing alternative powertrains
Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept
What's it going to take to get electric vehicles proliferating our roadways in America? According to Larry Burns, GM Vice President of Research & Development, it's going to require the close cooperation of the government, automakers and suppliers, energy companies and you, the American public. Right now, there are quite a few competing technologies and the lawmakers could sway the development of one or two with the right set of subsidies or investments and automakers could then focus their R&D budgets on those technologies. Energy companies would therefore focus their attention on getting a proper infrastructure in place, which would leave the actual buying of the resulting ready-to-run vehicles to the population at large. Easy, right?
Actually, its going to be an extremely difficult challenge to make a major shift away from petroleum-powered internal combustion engines to whatever the next technology is going to be. Of course, General Motors has bet big on extended-range electric vehicles, with its Chevy Volt scheduled to hit the market's waiting arms sometime in 2010. Next question: Are you ready to buy?
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj
[Source: GM Fastlane]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Luke 3:52PM (1/16/2009)
Not only am I ready to buy, I'm keeping my old junker running until I can get something other than a gasoline engine.
But it has to be on my terms. The catch is that my vehicle is compact pickup truck and I make a lot of trips to the hardware store. The vehicle that replaces it will need to be able to carry a 4'x8' sheet of plywood without ripping up the interior.
We might be able to upgrade her Prius to a Volt-like vehicle. Actually, she didn't agree to upgrading the Prius until she saw a picture of the Chrysler 200C...
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paulwesterberg 3:57PM (1/16/2009)
GM has bet on erevs because they are cheaper than fully electric because the battery capactity can be greatly reduced.
GM is also betting that americans are unwilling to change their lifestyle the small amount that fully electric cars would require.
Most people's needs could be easily met by a fully electric vehicle, on longer trips they may need to stop and "refuel" at a roadside cafe.
erevs are more complicated than electric only or gas only cars, but they should be simpler that torque blending hybrids like the prius. In theory you could switch the power source to some other generator like a fuel cell or radioactive isotope battery.
But, It would be nice not to be hauling around a generator during daily use, I think the 2L engine in the volt is overkill. It would be great if all electric cars were designed to tow a small generator so you could have extended range on long trips when you needed it. That way everyone could buy the best electric car and the best generator available.
I think we need big changes in transportation in the US:
1. Electric trains for freight and passenger. Heavy semi traffic is destroying our freeway system.
2. Electric trams for urban public transport.
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gorr 4:16PM (1/16/2009)
Quote: ''Are you ready to buy?''
No im Not ready to buy. Buy what for instance, a volt, a clarity, a think, a yaris ? No way, this is not ready yet in canada and by the speed they are working even in 20 years there will be no green cars on the market in canada at a reasonnable price and specification. All the manufacturers do, is arguing with me and contesting me then get back with the same question over and over and again. I said in 1900 to build complete industrialisation in north-america then to invent the green car in 2000, is that simple or not or what?? In 1900 they were not ready for the green car because businessmans and car-engineers wannabe said that industrialisation will bring a big war ?? LOL, so what now, Is it a war actually except in teird world contries with poverty and deforestration and communism that impede any individuals to own and operate anything not goverment related.
So we are now past year 2000 and a couple of citizens businessmans not dead yet in the head are reading and writing in this site, around one or two, maybe more. So i'll talk to these one another time even if they scrapped my green car that was suppose to appear in 2000 or even before. I said and i repeat that i want a car(green or any other colors) that cost between 12000$-20 000$ of 200-300 h.p lightweight in aluminium powered by the natural ressource the cheapest on earth that is water( hydrogen plus oxygen) I dream of that car from the beginning of this planet long long time ago and believe it or not car-guys all over the world still cannot buy it at a car dealership in canada. This is a shame, been so late. All people ask me for a miracle since long time ago and i responded to build a car powered by water but these folks think that it's jesus that will make the car powered by water ?? It's the folks somewhere that will build the car because i made the water to use it not to talk about it. So be practical.
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DasBoese 5:21PM (1/16/2009)
Sadly I'm not part of the "American public", so I can't buy D:
Just kidding. The Volt (or its Opel counterpart) will probably be out of my price league, at least the 1st generation... but I'm looking forward to Honda's proposed electric motorcycle!
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Dutch 5:25PM (1/16/2009)
I'm ready to buy. Volt or Converj, bring it on. I bet I only kick on the ICE a few times a month, too, so it will be mostly electric for me, with a 36 mile round trip commute.
Make it green, reliable and American and we will buy it.
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Paul 6:31PM (1/16/2009)
@Luke
Ever heard of a towbar and trailer?
What is it with idiots and pickups? A pickup is a commercial vehicle intended to be used primarily for commercial purposes, it’s not a 2 seater sports car or a family sedan.
I'm more than sure a Volt can have a towbar attached to it and box trailers cost next to nothing to purchase.
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Eric 10:43PM (1/16/2009)
GM, I'm ready to buy. I'm a 3rd Gen GM guy. My stable: 1966 Chevelle (my grandparent's 4-door), 1999 Grand Prix (my commute vehicle, formerly my wife's car), a 2002 GMC Sierra HD (diesel) for pulling the 5th wheel a couple of times a year and chore-hauling, and my wife's Murano. Why a Murano, you ask? She didn't want an SUV and everything GM offered was way to big (and the Vue didn't compare).
Don't give me a $40K vehicle with an electric range that won't get me much further than a one-way trip (full electric). I'm ready to buy a 2-seater (or 2dr), commute vehicle, full electric, 120+ mile range, preferably a convertible, under $25K. Give me a little fun, give me a small carbon footprint. I have other vehicles for play and range - I want small, light, safe, fun, and 100% electric.
Got it? Thanks.
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EV-1 7:33PM (1/17/2009)
In good spirit, this is just a short comment :
( to be shure these written words are percieved in good mood,
I'm posting a couple of smileys ... :D ! )
:)
- short comment :
Yes! "its going to be an extremely difficult challenge to make a major shift away from petroleum... "
Like "the alternative is: ............. "
- to NOT make a major shift away from petroleum .... ?
Hm, I think not.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
that's my short (and friendly) comment.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Global warming makes me wonder if the sacred "car industry" shouldn't focus on CO2-free boats, rather than cars . . .
Yes BOATS! - for the flooded areas of all those countries that'll be strikken. And solar panel desert vehicles! - for the draught areas . . .
:)
Jeremy is right - as always - about the important interaction between government and industry. And, of course, we, the public, can vote with the wallet!
We really ought to voice sharp claims for Zero emission, affordable transportation!
Sorry guys*, you have to do way better, to make profits from our money!
*industry & oil
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