Before it brings its much ballyhooed Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid to American streets, General Motors Corp. is laying out a “roadmap” for getting metro areas ready for the arrival of plug-in vehicles.
At the Washington Auto Show, the troubled automaker said it will collaborate with San Francisco and Washington D.C. to ensure that the proper policies and infrastructure are in place for the time when plug-ins such as the Volt start hitting the streets.
GM says it will work with everyone from governments to utilities to permitting and codes officials to prep for the launch. Among the challenges that need to be tackled, GM says, are consumer incentives, charging infrastructure and the codes and permits to allow charging stations to be installed, commercial and government fleet purchases, and utility rates that encourage plug-in use.
San Francisco and Washington were picked because of high interest in the Volt from those metros, GM said. Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco is already working with GM and has backed Better Place’s plan to bring charging stations to California. The automaker said other areas would be selected as well, but did not identify those markets yet.
GM has been working with engineering and utility groups to address questions about how to handle additional load from vehicle charging on the electric grid, and standardizing the design and operation of charging stations. Add in the fact that the Volt qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, and surely some consumers will snatch at the car, which will carry a sticker price between $30,000 and $48,000.
With so much riding on the Volt launch, it’s understandable that GM wants to make sure all the pieces are in place to make the car a success. The automaker has had to deal with rumblings about delays, because of the company’s financial struggles. After all the talk though, the public is likely very ready to see these cars get off the testing track and into showrooms.
Image Credit: GM
Source: GM
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$30,000 to $48,000 good grief people. Get real, the economics of it makes no sense.
$30,000 to $48,000 good grief people. Get real, the economics of it makes no sense.
You do not need to eat, just worry about the planet you destroyer of worlds you.
You do not need to eat, just worry about the planet you destroyer of worlds you.
“$30,000 to $48,000 good grief people. Get real, the economics of it makes no sense.”
$22.5K is below the average sticker price for vehicles sold in the US. (28K)
“$30,000 to $48,000 good grief people. Get real, the economics of it makes no sense.”
$22.5K is below the average sticker price for vehicles sold in the US. (28K)
Yes, turn in your $65,000 super-sized SUV immediatley. You should have only paid $22,500 for it.
Yes, turn in your $65,000 super-sized SUV immediatley. You should have only paid $22,500 for it.
Article lists price range of vehicle as ,000 to ,000.
This looks somewhat promising but it is far too expensive for me. More clean diesel. I’m looking at your BMW. I want a used 530d to purchase in my price range in a few years when I retire my Civic Si.
Article lists price range of vehicle as ,000 to ,000.
This looks somewhat promising but it is far too expensive for me. More clean diesel. I’m looking at your BMW. I want a used 530d to purchase in my price range in a few years when I retire my Civic Si.
If you really love the planet, buy a used car with good gas mileage and keep it until it stops being useful. A well-maintained car should last 200,000 miles, or 20 years of average driving.
A tremendous amount of energy and materials are wasted by people who use cars or other products for only a few years. 10-20 years from now when your clunker caves in, alt energy cars may actually be practical and economical. It’s not a sexy idea, but it’s the best one unless you are rich.
People mistake my 13 year old Accord for being new. It should easily last another 10 years. By then, I’m hoping hybrids/EVs will be somewhat mainstream and I won’t ever have to buy another outdated internal combustion engine. It will be at least that long before there is anything resembling readiness in the grid and charging infrastructure.
If you really love the planet, buy a used car with good gas mileage and keep it until it stops being useful. A well-maintained car should last 200,000 miles, or 20 years of average driving.
A tremendous amount of energy and materials are wasted by people who use cars or other products for only a few years. 10-20 years from now when your clunker caves in, alt energy cars may actually be practical and economical. It’s not a sexy idea, but it’s the best one unless you are rich.
People mistake my 13 year old Accord for being new. It should easily last another 10 years. By then, I’m hoping hybrids/EVs will be somewhat mainstream and I won’t ever have to buy another outdated internal combustion engine. It will be at least that long before there is anything resembling readiness in the grid and charging infrastructure.
This is an important step forward. While the economics are less than ideal at the moment, that’s a common situation with the introduction of new technology. Once the grid is in and automakers ramp up production the price points will begin to approach levels that will, in turn, serve to increase demand.
The amount of energy and resources to build new cars does need to be considered, but it’s not like they old cars are going to be scrapped, it’s usually a case of more affluent buyers who grab the latest technology while their used car ends on a used car lot to be sold.
This is an important step forward. While the economics are less than ideal at the moment, that’s a common situation with the introduction of new technology. Once the grid is in and automakers ramp up production the price points will begin to approach levels that will, in turn, serve to increase demand.
The amount of energy and resources to build new cars does need to be considered, but it’s not like they old cars are going to be scrapped, it’s usually a case of more affluent buyers who grab the latest technology while their used car ends on a used car lot to be sold.
If we start now, the grid plus smart metering will be “in” in about 10 years — as an example, think how long it’s taken to roll out widespread broadband internet. Every new transmission line meets years of legal wrangling by “not in my backyard” folks.
Automakers ramp up production? …think Prius after 10 years of production, announced CUMULATIVE sales of 1 million in May 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prius
Another data point: “Downturn ends boom in solar and wind power”
“Except in isolated markets, like China, installation of wind and solar power is slowing, and in some cases plummeting.”
“Some big U.S.-based wind developers, like NextEra Energy Resources and even the Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens, a promoter of wind power, have cut back or delayed their plans for wind farms.”
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/04/business/windsolar.4-423093.php
Yes, this is an important step forward. But even in a best-case scenario it is decades away from widespread economical distribution. If you disagree, kindly document why so we can debate it.
If we start now, the grid plus smart metering will be “in” in about 10 years — as an example, think how long it’s taken to roll out widespread broadband internet. Every new transmission line meets years of legal wrangling by “not in my backyard” folks.
Automakers ramp up production? …think Prius after 10 years of production, announced CUMULATIVE sales of 1 million in May 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prius
Another data point: “Downturn ends boom in solar and wind power”
“Except in isolated markets, like China, installation of wind and solar power is slowing, and in some cases plummeting.”
“Some big U.S.-based wind developers, like NextEra Energy Resources and even the Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens, a promoter of wind power, have cut back or delayed their plans for wind farms.”
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/04/business/windsolar.4-423093.php
Yes, this is an important step forward. But even in a best-case scenario it is decades away from widespread economical distribution. If you disagree, kindly document why so we can debate it.
The engine for the Volt was slated to be built in Flint, Mi. They had a ground breaking ceremony here in September of 2008. Rick Wagner (CEO) was attendance. GM hired several contractor here in our town for the steel, blue prints, duct work, paint, etc… They canceled the plans to build here last month. They stiffed all of the contractors for millions. Those contractors businesses have had to layoff workers and maybe forced into bankruptcy as a result. GM was born in Flint yet they are turning their backs on us again. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, 24.4% unemployed and an unemployment rate of 14.6%, I believe it’s even higher than that. Now as a result of them canceling the build of the Volt engine here the unemployment is set to go higher. They are spending YOUR TAX DOLLARS from the TARP Funds in foreign countries instead of helping U.S. citizens stay employed. They are going to build the engine in Austria now. Also, there is an article from The Latin American Herald Tribune that states GM has invested $1 billion of OUR Tarp Funds in their plant in San Pao, Brazil in January 2009. I don’t know about you, but I am OUTRAGED!!!!!! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them to go out of business. That would cut my own throat and millions of other Americans that are employed by them directly and indirectly. However, I want MY TAX DOLLARS spent in MY COUNTRY!!!!! I want them to assure Americans are employed first before they worry about anyone else. If it weren’t for the men and women of Flint, Mi. that built that company from the ground up by the sweat of their brow and breaking of their backs there would be no General Motors!!!!!!
The engine for the Volt was slated to be built in Flint, Mi. They had a ground breaking ceremony here in September of 2008. Rick Wagner (CEO) was attendance. GM hired several contractor here in our town for the steel, blue prints, duct work, paint, etc… They canceled the plans to build here last month. They stiffed all of the contractors for millions. Those contractors businesses have had to layoff workers and maybe forced into bankruptcy as a result. GM was born in Flint yet they are turning their backs on us again. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, 24.4% unemployed and an unemployment rate of 14.6%, I believe it’s even higher than that. Now as a result of them canceling the build of the Volt engine here the unemployment is set to go higher. They are spending YOUR TAX DOLLARS from the TARP Funds in foreign countries instead of helping U.S. citizens stay employed. They are going to build the engine in Austria now. Also, there is an article from The Latin American Herald Tribune that states GM has invested $1 billion of OUR Tarp Funds in their plant in San Pao, Brazil in January 2009. I don’t know about you, but I am OUTRAGED!!!!!! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them to go out of business. That would cut my own throat and millions of other Americans that are employed by them directly and indirectly. However, I want MY TAX DOLLARS spent in MY COUNTRY!!!!! I want them to assure Americans are employed first before they worry about anyone else. If it weren’t for the men and women of Flint, Mi. that built that company from the ground up by the sweat of their brow and breaking of their backs there would be no General Motors!!!!!!