GM turns 100: is its future electric?

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Sep 13: — coil ignitions, electric starters, computerised powertrains and digital infotainment systems — that mainly ended up advancing its fossil-fueled vehicles.

But at the same time, GM researchers were quietly investigating alternatives to internal combustion. In the 1960s, the R&D staff experimented with fuel cells, hybrids and plug-in electric cars.

By the mid-1990s, GM took a gamble that electric propulsion was ready for public consumption. It leased 1,100 two-seat EV1 commuter cars, based on the Impact electric concept car. The EV1 was stymied by its short range — sometimes only 50 miles on a charge. And unlike the Volt it had no backup power if the batteries ran down. Yet the EV1 had a devoted following, and lessees protested when GM took back the cars to crush them. GM called the EV1 a $1 billion learning experience.

Finally, there are questions about the cost. GM executives concede that they are revising the price upward. While the company initially hinted at a $30,000 starting price, executives have recently suggested that the Volt might end up in the mid to high-$40,000 range.