Is GM Serious About Electric Cars ?

General Motors is once again telling us there going to give America an electric car. At the Detroit Auto Show last January, GM unveiled their latest attempt at an electric car -- the Volt.

According to GM officials, the Volt can go up to 40 city miles on a single charge. Then a one liter three-cylinder gas-powered moter kicks in to recharge the batteries as it is driven, giving the car a range of about 640 miles. The batteries can be recharged by plugging them in to a home electrical outlet.

I have to wonder, if this car can already do all this, why isn't it already on the market? This sounds like it would be a great alternative to today's gas-hogs.

Tuesday, GM awarded contracts to two companies to test and improve the car's lithium-ion batteries. Considering GM's history with electric cars, this looks like a delaying tactic. Do they really want an electric car? Or are they just trying to look like they're doing something to stave off stricter government mpg laws.

In the early 90's, it looked like California was going to force car companies to make at least a portion of their sales cars with zero emissions. GM quickly put out the EV-1, and leased it to California motorists (they would not allow anyone to buy one). The EV-1 electric car turned out to be very popular with those lucky enough to lease one.

But as soon as California dropped its plans to initiate the zero emission law, GM stopped producing the vehicles. Then they recalled all the electric cars and destroyed them. Turns out the car was just a ploy to defeat the California law. GM wasn't serious about producing electric cars.

Now, as gas prices rise and people get upset, GM is again teasing us with visions of an electric car. If they were serious, they would put one up for sale. The technology already exists to produce an electric car that has a range of 200-300 miles.

But they're not serious. Don't expect to see the Volt at your GM dealer anytime soon. They're just trying to keep the federal government from forcing them to make their cars more efficient.