Lutz on the Chevy Volt

Unlike a traditional hybrid, like the Toyota Prius, the Chevy Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle. Its battery powers the car and a small gasoline-powered generator charges the battery, but doesn't drive the wheels. See more pictures of electric cars.

CG: Let’s talk for a moment about the Chevy Volt. You rather famously appeared on The Late Show to respond to David Letterman’s misconceptions regarding Volt. At this date, do you think the public finally understands what Volt is really all about?

BL: No, I don’t even think the media has much of an idea what Volt is. I think there is a great deal of confusion between hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and this absolutely unique category of which there are only two vehicles, the Fisker Karma and the Chevrolet Volt. Those are electric vehicles with a range that can be extended by a gasoline generator recharging the battery as you are driving. This is absolutely not understood.

Most people vaguely understand what a hybrid is; they mostly understand what an electric vehicle is. I get members of the media asking me how the Volt can compete with the (Toyota) Prius when the Prius is so much cheaper. When you get that question asked, you don’t even know where to begin.

CG: GM hosted a preshow media event at the Chicago Auto Show, the focus of which seemed to be clarification of the Volt’s function and technology. Given the media’s seeming inability to accurately present Volt to the general public, how does GM get the message out?

BL: Well, I don’t think this is going to be a problem. The people who follow the Volt and follow the concept will understand. We have over 50,000 hand raisers interested in Volt. And once we have a fleet of preproduction cars available, we will no longer have to explain; we will be able to demonstrate what Volt is all about.

Once people drive the car, drive the entire electric-only range and then see the engine kick-on on the tachometer, the concept will make more sense to them. But they need to experience it for themselves. I’m not worried about getting the word out.

CG: Given that Volt represents a serious leap forward in technology, and that its appeal will, at least initially, be limited to early adopters and green intenders, is Chevy still the best channel to handle it?

BL: It was the division picked because Chevy is our most global brand. Chevrolet is distributed on every continent in the world, and Chevrolet is one of the fastest-growing brands in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The car is designed to meet all safety regulations in every country of the world. People frequently overlook this: Chevy Volt may become one of America’s number one export items. We’ll soon be exporting a lot of Volts all over the world.