The Wall Street Journal reports that GM will sell an all electric Chevrolet Spark in 2013. The car will compete with the all electric Nissan Leaf. This is good news; however, what the electric Spark’s price will be remains to be seen. It will be GM’s first try at an all-electric car (the current Volt is an electric-gas hybrid) since the EV-1 of over a decade ago. Like the general tax-paying public, GM must be wondering why it decided to crush those EV-1 electric cars?
Even better new is that GM and five other automakers (Audi, BMW, Daimler AG, Ford and Porsche Automotive Holding SE) have agreed to charge their future electric vehicles at the same quick charge stations. The high 480 voltage at quick charge stations enable electric vehicles to be recharged up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. This is an important step in electric vehicles becoming viable for everyday use.
Regarding the automakers’ ‘working together,’ The Wall Street Journal states, “Cooperation would result in a single plug-type and protocol for communication between the charging station and battery packs. Standardization ‘we believe will help infrastructure planning, reduce vehicle complexity and improve the ownership experience,’ the companies said in a statement,”
Of note is that in the past, GM has raised doubts if American drivers are ready for all-electric vehicles. If this was really true, why did GM build the EV-1 in the first place – for the fun of it?
The WSJ reports that GM tried to trademark the term ‘range anxiety’ related to drivers’ concern about running out of electricity with electric vehicles. Why didn’t GM try to trademark the term ‘quality anxiety’ related drivers’ concern about the poor quality of GM vehicles before the automaker went bankrupt?
All I can say is that American drivers are fine. However, GM needs to adjust its glasses and get on with it.
Well to end on a positive note, Ford Audi, BMW, Daimler AG, and Porsche Automotive Holding SE will help GM to move along.
Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money.” He welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.cartown1.com. Follow Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.