David Letterman Slams Chevy Volt, Tesla CEO Agrees
Two interesting events took place last week in the electric vehicle industry: GM invited several journalists to take a ride in the Chevy Volt, and Tesla Motors’ CEO Elon Musk appeared on David Letterman. Despite appearances, these two events are tied together. Why? Because as GM continues to tout the Volt’s ability to get 40 miles per charge and that a driver can go weeks without using gasoline, the Tesla Roadster gets more than 100 miles per charge and never uses a drop of gas.
What’s so great about 40 miles per charge? The Volt’s technology will be outdated before it even hits the market in 2010.
As a matter of fact, David Letterman asked that very same question to Musk who has been vocal about his dislike of plug-in hybrids like the Volt. “The Volt has a range of 40 miles….that’s ridiculous…Oh Boy, we have the electric car at 40 miles per charge. That’s crap,” said Letterman.
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Musk stated that he thought the major autos would develop and market great electric car technology and he hoped that he wouldn’t have to do it himself — but he did. And it appears that if Americans are going to be offered cutting-edge electric technologies, then it looks like we’ll need more independent companies to follow in the footsteps of Tesla.
Here are three reasons why the current market favors independent auto companies.
1. The Big Three American auto companies are so out of touch with consumer trends by the time they bring new technologies to market, they have already lost market share. For example, Chevrolet didn’t bring the EV1 to market because they believed there was no market for the vehicle. Yet the Toyota Prius is about to hit the million mark in sales in the U.S. Slightly different technologies but same concept. Toyota and Honda own the market for hybrids.
2. The major auto companies work so slow that by the time they do bring new technologies to market, they are outdated. For example, the Tesla Roadster already out performs the Chevy Volt on miles per charge and the Volt has yet to be offered to consumers.
3. The Big Three autos have too much debt and not enough agility. The recently formed company Bright Automotive was able to bring The IDEA, a hybrid light truck to market in less than one year with more advanced technology. It takes the large American auto companies decades to develop and market new technologies.
As Letterman aluded to, our country can’t wait on The Big Three. I agree. The time is right for new, innovative auto companies to lead the way to better EV technologies.
Letterman is out of touch if he thinks a $100 thousand two seater is his viewers’ idea of a usable vehicle. And while Toyota is known for its hybrid, the new Ford Fusion smokes the Prius in driveability with only slghtly lower mileage and lots of lux. (I don’t even consider the Honda Insight, too small.) David, drive the Ford Fusion hybrid and tell us what you think!
Thank you for this article
yes, Letterman is not a car expert, but he brings up good points even if he is not on the mark, and if I were a GM backer, I might have bigger arguments, the same way Republicans fight against Democrats.
There was a recent show I watched ‘Who Killed The Electric Car’. I wish it was never killed, then GM would be on top instead of trying to make up the Volt. Yes, there is limitted capacity for a battery alone, but how many people fill their car up every day? Building batteries in large quantities will bring down the price. And yes, it is widely reported by supposedly reputable people that the Oil and Car companies have been holding back on technowlegies which would make these electric cars work. Car companies have often not made as much money on the sales, a one time amount, but they do make money on maintaining combustion engines and oil companies are enjoying 10 billion dollars in profit each quarter.
How do I know any new cars from the big 3 (2?) will not be canceled when they choose.
I think that what Tesla has is great - a car that is here an now plus a sedan on it’s way. Thank you Elon!
This article was pathetic. I was a fan of Letterman for years. He was one of the funniest people on tv. In the past decade he has become more and more bitter. Anyone that wants a tesla will have to deal with battery anxiety as was discovered with the EV1. They can travel only so far and that is it before having to recharge. How much time does it take to recharge? If you can recharge at least 50% in 5 miuntes then I would like a pure EV. If it takes 2-12 hours then I am range limited. At least with an extender if I have a long trip I will make it. Most of my driving per day is several miles. Heck I bike it in warm weather. I only have to fill up once every several weeks. Once in a while I do need to travel for work. The volt technology would work for me. In the meantime I will look at the Fusion.
@Phil:
“I will also ask two relevant questions, how many of these companies are mass-producing electric vehicles currently, and how many Tesla vehicle orders have been filled?
Someone may want to look the answers to those up and do the research for this post that should have been done in the first place.”
I don’t think there is any reason to be overly defensive about this post, since there are some legitimate, unanswered questions/assumptions about the both Tesla as well as Volt. If you have answers to the specific issues you raise and can point to sources we’d be happy to republish them.
Personally, I’m a big fan of both the Roadster and the Volt, as revolutionary pieces of machinery. That being said, the winner of this race will clearly be the company with the most affordable, attractive, and reliable vehicle. Both of these cars are still out of my price range, as they are for most Americans. If Tesla can sell enough of the Roadsters or sedans to bring the price down, bingo. GM may be getting into the game a bit late, but it still has a chance — if it can get the Volt on the road and build some momentum.
And of course, both companies will face some stiff competition as models from other manufacturers come online. The plug-in Prius comes to mind…?
This guy Elon Musk is touting a 50k (base model) sedan for the average consumer? Are you serious? Both he an GM have it all wrong, unlike Honda and Toyota, who are making terrific hybrids that get better and better Mpg’s every year.
The problem with people like this is that they live in a bubble, and have very little understanding as to what the average Joe really needs and can afford for daily commuting or truck hauling. If any U.S. Company is going in the right direction, I’d say it’s Ford with the new hybrid Fusion. They’re a little late to the party, but at least it’s on the dance floor.
why didn’t chrysler offer their 1996 CCV (Composite Concept Vehicle) as an electric car?
http://www.carstyling.ru/en/cars.1996_Chrysler_CCV%20(Composite%20Concept%20Vehicle).html
light and cheap. maybe the new owners will?
The electric car is the best, why to even think about hybrid or gas/electric combination ( Volt) ? Is the oil company, governemnt or dealers afraid of loosing gas tax $$ and oil change, filter money? Come on….. we want to see green Earth, and the electric car is the way how to do it!
To GM,
I have been a loyal GM consumer for the past 20 years and there is some truth in what you say. GM can bring the car to mass production, because they have the means to do so. However, given the chance, should TESLA motors bring their product to mass production at reasonable prices, say with a partner such as Daimler who by the way just purchased 10% ownership of TELSA motors, I guarantee they will out sell GM’s product by more than 2 to 1. Because TESLA motors can bring something to the table that the public truly wants, independence from Oil.