GM has positioned the Chevy Volt as its flagship green vehicle, and so far has used it as a way to change consumer perception about the fuel efficiency of its vehicles. Now environmentally focused federal regulators are pushing for blanket mpg improvements, and GM is concerned.

The Chevy Volt is estimated to run for 40 miles on electric energy alone, which will provide far better mpg than any traditional gas engine. Earlier in 2008 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made a proposal that would require a “. . . 25% increase in fuel economy rules from 2011 through 2015 model years, with costs to GM alone estimated at $17.3 billion,” according to the Detroit Free Press.

Unfortunately for GM, the NHTSA wasn’t considering plug-in hybrids when it created the proposal. But, based on complaints from GM and other automakers the NHTSA would consider additional information regarding plug-in vehicles before it makes its final ruling.

In a move that clashes with the marketing muscle behind the Chevy Volt, GM is claiming that the Volt will still be in low circulation in those years which should exempt the model from consideration completely.

For the purposes of the NHTSA rulemaking, GM’s game-changing EREV technology should be treated as a low-volume application during the time period under consideration. We strongly discourage NHTSA from applying either PHEV or EREV technology in any significant volume in its . . . model during the 2011-2015 timeframe.

Automakers are fighting against environmental groups and Democrats who want even tougher fuel efficiencies enforced. Their claim is that with higher gasoline prices, automakers should still be able to make a profit even after spending more money on research and development to improve the mpg on their vehicles.

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Entry was posted on Friday, July 11th, 2008 at 7:58 pm under Auto, Green Technology.

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