Chevy Volt

GM announced its intention to focus efforts on its “extended range electric car”, the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt has a 4-cylinder gasoline engine that can run 40 miles on battery alone.

GM is working on several electric car programs including international partnerships with Reva Electric Car Company in India to develop a small electric car for the Indian market and the opening of a China Science Lab to help develop high tech cars in China.

The Volt will be rolled out in California first where typically newer technology are tried out.

The vice chairman, in a Q & A, said a higher gas tax would be needed to make more expensive electric cars worthwhile to consumers.

Charging stations would also need to be rolled out at public areas such as metered parking spaces so the electric car can be charged outside the home garage.

An obstacle to electric cars is that it’s difficult to set up a charging station for those that live in apartments. Once out-of-home charging becomes available, electrically powered cars would become more viable for people living in apartments.