GM Will Build an All-Electric Version of the Chevrolet Volt, Vice Chairman Lutz Says

GM Will Build an All-Electric Version of the Chevrolet Volt, Vice Chairman Lutz Says

By Scott Doggett January 14, 2010

General Motors Co. will build a pure-electric vehicle by expanding the Chevrolet Volt's battery pack and removing its internal combustion engine, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told The Associated Press.

It's the next step for the Volt, a car the company says can get 40 miles on a charge from a standard home power outlet. After the battery charge is substantially diminished, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline or by a gasoline-biofuel blend takes over and generates electricity to power the car.

The Volt due to go on sale this fall at a cost of about $40,000. Tax credits to encourage the popularity of electric vehicles could bring the cost of the vehicle down by $7,500 or more.

Lutz would not say exactly when the pure-electric version would make it into showrooms, but said it would be "technologically trivial" to switch out the internal combustion engine.

Lutz, speaking with reporters at the Detroit auto show earlier this week, said that GM could quickly expand the Volt's battery pack and take out the engine to build a fully electric car similar to Nissan's upcoming Leaf.

The Leaf, also expected to go on sale in the U.S. late this year, can get up to 100 miles on an electric charge but must be recharged or have a new battery installed to go any further.

Only 28 Miles on a Full Charge

Lutz also said electric vehicles may not get the stated range on fully electric power because of weather, atmospheric conditions, terrain and driving habits.

Despite GM's repeated reporting that the Volt can go 40 miles propelled only by electricity stored in the battery following a full charge, Lutz said he had a Volt during the Thanksgiving weekend that got only 28 miles on full-electric power due cold weather.

"It varies a lot more than the range variation with a gasoline-powered car depending on your driving style," he said.

Perhaps we should expect more caveats as the Volt's production date nears.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.