Newsweek: Maximum Bob saved the electric car

[HoosierRon]

Bob Lutz: The Man Who Revived the Electric Car

When General Motors was fingered as the prime suspect in the 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Bob Lutz's inbox filled with hate mail. "I hope you rot in hell," read one missive to the GM vice chairman, known for his love of gas-guzzling sports cars. But now the movie's director wants Lutz to star in a possible sequel, "Who Saved the Electric Car?" "Now that they've done their mea culpa, I'm bullish on GM," says director Chris Paine. "I'd like to include Lutz in my next film."

What explains this turn of events?

[mgescuro]

Well, I'm still in the "I'll believe it when I see it" mode.
Nice to know Tesla was the one that jumpstarted GM.
While GM tests the waters in the low end, Tesla will work top down. And Toyota's stuck saying plug-ins won't work. Right where they should be.

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

And Toyota's stuck saying plug-ins won't work. Right where they should be.

And if you believe that Toyota believes what it is saying, I've got a good looking Camry to sell you.

[F14CRAZY]

Anyone notice the last paragraph?

Now Lutz envisions selling hundreds of thousands of Volts a year, probably priced below $30,000. Detroit's horsepower jockey insists the Volt will be his crowning achievement—and his swan song. "This is like JFK's call for the moon shot," he says. "I want to stick around to see the Volt come to market. Then I'll pack it in around 80." And ride off into the sunset on electric power.

[NfamousZ24]

I hope and can't wait till the Volt comes out!!!

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

...and Toyota's stuck saying plug-ins won't work.

I think that's a Toyota smoke screen. They've got plug-in hybrids in municipal test fleets in Japan, right?

Making the leap to plug-in hybrid is a smaller leap for the companies with the longest hybrid history, so I'm quite concerned about Honda and Toyota launching a plug-in hybrid before GM does.

[63GrandSport001]

If GM does make hundreds of thousands of volts a year then they dont have to make any of their other offers more fuel efficient and they will blow the 35MPG law out of the water.

[poncho1982]

GM should buy Tesla motors.

I belive there is some value in that name.

[Gatecrasher R/T]

If GM does make hundreds of thousands of volts a year then they dont have to make any of their other offers more fuel efficient and they will blow the 35MPG law out of the water.

That does rate the interesting question of just how the EPA will rate a car like the Volt. Under 40 miles round trip it's effectively infinite MPG.

They'll probably just have to add an asterisk to the ratings and post the numbers achieved on the standard battery of tests while running in hybrid mode as opposed to pure electric mode.

[CTGentleman]

The first part of that comment (bottom of the article) is something I wonder about as well. What are we doing to ensure electrical support for the hundreds of thousands of Volts re-charging across the country at night?

[tom3]

Originally Posted by CTGentleman

The first part of that comment (bottom of the article) is something I wonder about as well. What are we doing to ensure electrical support for the hundreds of thousands of Volts re-charging across the country at night?

Don't think night time charging will be a concern. Peak loading is mid day in most areas, especially in summer months. I suspect the real concern will be the battery reliability when using them at near full cycle with the plug in hybrid cars.

[Commodore]

Originally Posted by poncho1982

GM should buy Tesla motors.

I belive there is some value in that name.

Absolutely. Especially since the Tesla roadster will be driven by celebrities and such (if it ever gets produced), and those are the same people that gave Toy its green, eco-friendly image. As such, Tesla would be very helpful in undoing the damage caused to GM by that stupid movie, the media, etc.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

Anyone notice the last paragraph?

Now Lutz envisions selling hundreds of thousands of Volts a year, probably priced below $30,000. Detroit's horsepower jockey insists the Volt will be his crowning achievement—and his swan song. "This is like JFK's call for the moon shot," he says. "I want to stick around to see the Volt come to market. Then I'll pack it in around 80." And ride off into the sunset on electric power.

I noticed. And let me say; what a remarkable turnaround! In the media, in the eyes of the public, in product GM has come so far. Look at what they're saying now! Indeed the Volt will be his crowning acheivement. It will be lasting proof of what he could do. As I've said before, this guy is going to be well remembered; as the guy who saved GM and helped America reduce it's reliance on foreign oil. What a legacy!

[CobaltSScrazy]

exciting, so idk if anyone has said it yet, hopefully I'll be the first...

when are we going to see a performance oriented Chevrolet VOLT SS!!!!!!?!?!?!?!????

CobaltSScrazy

[pwoods]

Originally Posted by Gatecrasher R/T

That does rate the interesting question of just how the EPA will rate a car like the Volt. Under 40 miles round trip it's effectively infinite MPG. <snip>

I've also wondered about that. Miles traveled / gallons used could give them a divide by zero error ....

Maybe that could be an interesting commercial for GM - I still don't think half the people out there realize that a plug-in hybrid uses zero gas for a short while.