General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says the automaker is aiming to produce more that the initial 25,000 Volts projected.
The GM chief noted there had been more than 200,000 expressions of interest for the Volt, whose extended range capability was more suited to the US market – in Akerson’s opinion.
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“We have extended range vehicles which are a greater interest in this country than elsewhere,” he said ahead of this year’s Detroit show.
“I think in the next two to three years, electric vehicles will become mainstream.”
However, Akerson highlighted the limitations of pure EV technology, which comes replete with range anxiety.
“I live in Washington, DC,” he said. “If you want to drive to Richmond, Virginia, which is 140 miles away, or Philadelphia, today’s battery technology [is] not able to do that and I don’t think Americans will put up with that.”
Akerson conceded the Volt had to reach 150,000, 200,000 units as soon as possible, but cautioned inflated predictions of EV global sales were premature.
“When do we get 2m EVs worldwide – [it] will not be in the next two to three years,” he said. “It will be closer to five years.”
