WHERE DID GM FALL SHORT?
No timetable to commercialization and mass production. Here’s where we differ most with GM, which says batteries for the Volt in particular might not be available until 2010-2012. We aim to encourage GM to hasten PHEVs’ entry into the marketplace. The perfect should not be the enemy of the good. Of course, we don’t want shortcuts on safety and operational reliability. But we do want car-makers to build very good PHEVs now — then make them better. We believe GM doesn’t fully recognize how many early adopters and fleets will pay more for early PHEVs. We urge GM to ask California and federal agencies to modify or eliminate “life of car” battery warranty requirements for large demonstration fleets, while maintaining all other emissions standards. Letting market forces decide who will pay for cars with “batteries-in-progress” will speed commercialization. Later, the requirements can be reinstated for consumers.
