McCain (and Obama Too?) Embraces the Chevy Volt
Monday July 21, 2008
Automotive News reports that, at a recent GM facility visit, Republican White House hopeful John McCain took a spin in a concept plug-in hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt. He then told a group of about 300 GM Detroit Technical Center employees, "I will do everything in my power to make sure this breakthrough has every chance of success and that we will make sure American citizens understand what's happening here." He also pledged to give up to $5000 in tax credits to initial buyers to make the Volt more affordable. According to the report, GM CEO Rick Wagoner said that Democratic rival Presidential candidate-to-be Barack Obama also favors tax incentives for first buyers.
Sensitive to the plight of the American automotive industry, both candidates have made U.S. automotive assembly plants frequent stops throughout their campaigns. And both McCain and Obama have sent letters to the UAW stressing the importance of producing fuel-efficient cars, like the Volt, domestically.
During the Detroit visit, McCain also told both executives and line employees that he was sticking with his position to allow individual states to enforce their own fuel economy standards. This is, of course, unpopular with the manufacturers who like the easier to implement across-the-board Federal CAFE standards.
Us? We don't care so much how they are doing it (determining fuel economy standards and pushing for alt fuel technology), as long as they are doing it. No matter what, even if in-hind-sight-not-so-bright decisions are made now (they are politicians after all), the bumps and bruises will get worked out along the way. Support of the Volt (and like technology) seems to be a bit of an appeasement factor for both candidates--a way to grab for votes--that we hope doesn't fizzle after the Presidential Inauguration in January.
Sensitive to the plight of the American automotive industry, both candidates have made U.S. automotive assembly plants frequent stops throughout their campaigns. And both McCain and Obama have sent letters to the UAW stressing the importance of producing fuel-efficient cars, like the Volt, domestically.
During the Detroit visit, McCain also told both executives and line employees that he was sticking with his position to allow individual states to enforce their own fuel economy standards. This is, of course, unpopular with the manufacturers who like the easier to implement across-the-board Federal CAFE standards.
Us? We don't care so much how they are doing it (determining fuel economy standards and pushing for alt fuel technology), as long as they are doing it. No matter what, even if in-hind-sight-not-so-bright decisions are made now (they are politicians after all), the bumps and bruises will get worked out along the way. Support of the Volt (and like technology) seems to be a bit of an appeasement factor for both candidates--a way to grab for votes--that we hope doesn't fizzle after the Presidential Inauguration in January.
Comments
The Volt sounds good on paper, rings sweet during press conferences and is probably a step in the right direction…but not RIGHT now. The US needs to straighten out its energy policy (and yes that includes our own oil!) and then work towards the new technology. Cars like the Volt are not viably ready for the “mass” market and fail to meet the needs of rural commuters and independent contractors who make a living with larger trucks/SUVs. I’m for new technology, but the reality is, oil is here to stay. Why not develop products that meet both needs. After all, not everyone lives in the city and commutes only a few miles a day. What about all those “soccer moms” lugging the multitudes of kids around Mon-Fri? The Volt won’t work for them.
Rich
http://american-car.blogspot.com
You make valid points, Rich, and we agree that the U.S. energy policy is a mess and needs to be set on a “right” course. But we don’t necessarily agree that it has to be predicated upon one new technology. Quite the contrary, we believe that a mix of technologies allows for a flexible energy program and allows the winners to mature and the losers to fall by the wayside. A mix of pure electric, hybrid electric (both gasoline and diesel), hydrogen (both for combustion and fuel cell use), biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) and finally, gasification of biomass and coal (to be used in a GTL -Gas To Liquid- process for manufacturing synthetic gasoline and diesel fuel) would allow each type of energy source fit its best niche. Those that don’t really “work” will fail soon enough through sheer market forces.
And you are right–cars like the Volt do have limited appeal, but it’s a step in the right direction to make hybrids a little more electric and a little less internal combustion. Develop the technology at the “light duty” level, and if and when it proves viable, move it into the “heavy duty” people/cargo mover level.
But even while GM is “fiddling around” with the Volt’s E-flex drivetrain, they and other manufacturers have brought alternatives to “soccer moms” and contractors who make their living with trucks. Following is just a partial list of already available or “out in the next few months or so” alt fuel and hybrid trucks and SUVs:
Will all of these be successes? Probably not, but the engineers and designers need to try and fail sometimes in order to succeed.
And, last but not least, there’s still the opportunity to convert your regular ole gas burner to electric with one of these electric conversion companies.