In another nod toward GM’s globalization strategy, the company just announced that Ellesmere Port in England could be a production facility for the Chevy Volt. The announcement follows a show of support from the prime minister who promised £90m in funds over 5 years to support hybrid and electric cars.

The president of GM Europe, Carl-Peter Forster said that GM would be “seriously considering” Ellesmere Port according to the Financial Times. An obvious goodwill toward electric and hybrid cars like the Chevy Volt is likely to influence GM’s decision heavily, but overall sales volume estimates aren’t available from the carmaker.

With the Chevy Volt’s 40-50 miles range on electric-only energy, there’s a strong interest from many in the U.K. Despite the £20,000 price tag, savings in fuel and congestion fees are likely to make up the difference quickly. To put that in perspective “the Volt is claimed to emit little more than 50 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre, less than half that of a ‘hybrid’ vehicle.”

Interestingly GM would be capable of manufacturing and marketing the vehicle under the Opel, Vauxhall or Chevrolet brands, all from one facility.

The Chevy Volt and other hybrid and electric cars aren’t the only option the government is exploring with its 90m investment. It’s also trying to reduce traffic jams through technology like road sensors that send traffic information automatically to road signs on A14. From BBC:

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: “The A14 is a crucial link between the Port of Felixstowe and industrial centres in the Midlands – making it both a key route both for East Anglia and for the wider economy.”

What does that mean for GM and the Chevy Volt? There’s a culture of receptivity and interest in improving current infrastructure. That’s closely tied to the vehicles that use the infrastructure and GM is poised to play a big role in enhancing the overall impact on the environment.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:18 pm under Auto, Green Technology.

Read more entries by Matt Jansen.
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