General Motors (NYSE: GM) yesterday unveiled the production version of its electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, at an event at GM headquarters celebrating the carmaker’s 100th anniversary.
The small four-seater has had its edges rounded for aerodynamics, since its appearance as a concept version in January 2007.
The interior was also on display for the first time, featuring a digital touch-screen that displays battery power and a fuel guage for the vehicle’s combustion engine which is designed to repower the batteries when the charge runs low.
Batteries are the most challenging technical hurdle for GM and other automakers pursuing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. A U.S. Department of Energy official told Reuters that vast improvements are needed to extend the life and lower the cost of lithium batteries before they can efficiently power vehicles.
GM said it is on track to have the Volt in showrooms by November 2010. In the first year of production the company plans to produce 10,000 Volts, eventually increasing to 60,000.
GM has not officially said how much the vehicle will cost, but recent estimates suggest a range of $30,000 to $50,000. Nonetheless, GM President and Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson said the first version of the Volt is not expected to be a moneymaker for the company, which has struggled from decreased sales of trucks and sports utility vehicles.
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Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) announced it has cut the amount of waste generated with the production of each of its vehicles almost 80% since 2001.
In addition, six of its North America plants have achieved a zero waste-t0-landfill designation, the company said.
Overall, the company cut waste the amount of waste sent to landfills to an average of 1.9 kilograms per vehicle.
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