Volt has GM fans and critics charged up

Yesterday, I covered a Tesla blog post in which the CEO of Tesla mocked the Chevy Volt Concept vehicle, as have a number of GM critics (read). While I don't agree with Tesla's point, I do understand the contempt many have for GM - I've often held the same contempt.

And it's not as if GM doesn't realize this contempt. Beth Lowery, whom I spoke with at great lengths in Detroit, wrote in the FastLane Blog, "I can understand why people are skeptical," Lowery said. "All I can tell you is that we recognize the role that electricity will play in future cars — that's why we've worked so hard to bring you the Volt."

But the Volt isn't just charging up critics of GM, it's also electrifying many fans of GM. Apparently, Volt fans have flooded the mailboxes of GM with letters full of desire for the Volt as well as ideas for making the Volt happen faster according Inside Line.

While GM did sponsor me to cover the debut of the Volt, I left Detroit firmly believing that the Volt would happen. Now, however, with all the attention the Volt has driven to GM and all the hopes it has provided to GM fans, GM has NO CHOICE but to develop the Volt. Ultimately, the Volt might just be GM's last straw; it's last chance to charge into the future.

Thus, fans should keep pushing GM, keep asking questions about the Volt and about other dual mode hybrids, such as the flex-fuel Saab hybrid. Even more important, in the very short term, GM fans should demand that GM start selling the Yukon hybrid - Let's put some rubber to the road!

Forget the ethanol pipeline and choose flex-fuel plug-in hybrids

Where are the flex-fuel hybrid vehicles, such as this Saab flex-fuel hybrid? Even better, how about flex-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles? Wouldn't they be the perfect foreign oil dependency fighters? Yet, with plug-in hybrid vehicles - a technology just a couple of years away from mass-production reality -the far majority of Americans would almost never need to fill up with any liquid fuel for their daily commute. Yet, our electricity needs would increase significantly.

So, why is the ethanol industry seeking an ethanol pipeline (more)? Why not just convert ethanol into electricity? Wouldn't that be easier, even cheaper, than transporting ethanol throughout the U.S.?

Explosive growth in the incredibly highly subsidized corn-based ethanol industry only makes sense for those whom stand to reap billions in subsidized profit. Until cellulosic ethanol proves its cost-effectiveness, America should spend far more of its resources on advanced technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, composite materials, and fuel cells - technologies that can essentially end the need for any liquid fuel for automotive transportation in the first place.

The Yukon hybrid: Get it to dealers ASAP

GM was able to electrify NAIAS this year thanks in large part to the debut of the Volt plug-in concept vehicle. While the Volt is probably at least five years away from reality, there is a progression of vehicles leading to the Volt and its E-Flex platform.

It starts with GM's dual mode hybrid powertrain, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the Yukon hybrid vehicle. As soon as the battery technology is developed, the dual mode hybrid powertrain will evolve into a plug-in hybrid powertrain, starting in the Saturn Vue hybrid. This could happen in as few as three years.

Still, any vehicle at least 3 years away from reality is little more than fantasy today. While I am absolutely confident that both plug-in hybrids and the Volt will eventually be mass-produced vehicles, GM must take greater action today. For example, start selling the Yukon hybrid as soon as possible and roll out as many full hybrid vehicles immediately. Make the Saab flex-fuel hybrid, which also uses the dual mode hybrid powertrain, a production vehicle.

GM's green revelation would be far easier to believe with these two hybrids in dealerships throughout the country.

My thanks to GM

If not for GM's sponsorship, I would not have attended the North American International Auto Show, which was an absolutely outstanding experience on many different levels. Of course I was very thankful to see the debut of an incredible concept, such as the Volt electric. This is the type of car that Hybridcarblog.com and Soultek.com exist to promote, so I was happy to see GM becoming more serious and more real about such vehicles - and I believe GM is dead real about the Volt.

Just as awesome was the opportunity I was given to speak with designers and other top level GM executives regarding the Volt. Myself and a few other bloggers were even given a few exclusive moments with Bob Lutz.

Quite simply, the access to information and knowledgeable people, plus the absolutely unmatched hospitality, was a truly unforgettable experience.

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Forget to mention the Saab Biopower 9-3

As I was clearing my memory stick for today's photos, I realized that I forgot to mention the Saab Biopower 9-3 hybrid concept yesterday.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of ethanol. I'd much rather see the future of ethanol as cellulosic ethanol power plants adding power to the electric grid, rather than being distributed for automobile fuel. Let this electricity power cars that plug-in to the grid.

As a result, flex-fuel vehicles are still on my very IFFY list. However, a vehicle like the Biopower is a flex-fuel vehicle that I can fully support. Not only can this vehicle utilize E85, it can also utilize E100. Still, that's not what I like best about this hybrid - that's what I like best about the Saab Biopower - it's a hybrid!

The Saab Biopower hybrid vehicle is essentially a production ready dual mode hybrid vehicle, that happens to offer the ability to run on ethanol. Quite possibly, this is the first 4 cylinder, convertible flex fuel hybrid vehicle anywhere near production.

I say, make it happen GM. Make it happen.