General Motors is focusing on plug-in technology for the next five years, aiming to have 500,000 vehicles on the road with some form of electrification by 2017.
The Chevrolet Volt, which was introduced in 2010, has become essential in the automaker’s product development process as it continues to apply the Volt’s technology to its model range. First up for the American automaker is the debut of the Spark EV, which will be heading to this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Much of what was learned from the Volt has been applied liberally to the new mini-car EV.
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Speaking at the recent GM Electrification Experience in San Francisco, Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development, stressed that “plug-based solutions will play a significant role” in GM’s technology portfolio going forward.
This year, the American automaker is on track to sell over 50,000 vehicles with eletrification. That includes models with the eAssist light eletrification technology seen on the Buick LaCrosse, Regal, and the Chevrolet Malibu. When the 2014 Chevrolet Impala debuts next year, it will also feature an eAssist model.
“What started out as a technology proof point… has turned into a real-world starting point to push EV technology further and faster than we thought possible five years ago,” she said. “The unique propulsion technology pioneered in the Volt – the same technology that will be featured in the Cadillac ELR – will be a core piece of our electrification strategy going forward.”
