 on American roadways by 2017. Today, Barra—now the CEO of GM—announced that the original goal will not be met. […] "'Pin It")
GM Backs Off 500,000 US Electric Vehicle Projection
2015 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Photo: © General Motors
Back in 2012, General Motors head of global product development Mary Barra announced that the company had a very specific goal of getting 500,000 vehicles powered to some degree by electricity (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, of all-electric) on American roadways by 2017.
Today, Barra—now the CEO of GM—announced that the original goal will not be met. In 2014, there were 180,834 GM vehicles being driven in the US that used electricity; in 2013, that number was 153,034 vehicles, which was up from 39,843 vehicles in 2011.
More from GM: 2016 Malibu Hybrid Overview
“For our commitment to electrification, our forecasted outlook currently projects us, along with the broader automotive industry, falling short of expectations for 2017,” reads GM’s 2014 Sustainability Report. “GM is committed to electrification and our award-winning eAssist, extended-range electric vehicle and battery electric vehicle offerings, but consumer demand for these vehicles has not kept up with our initial projections.”
Still, the eventual addition of the redesigned 2016 Volt to the Chevrolet lineup will likely help improve sales. Further, the 200-mile-range Bolt EV, which is projected to arrive sometime in the next three years in all 50 states and at a price of around $30,000, could wind up being a game-changer.
GM also recently revealed that its 2016 Chevy Malibu and 2016 Cadillac CT6 will be offered in hybrid and PHEV variants, respectively.
Related: Chevy Volt Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.