
In this inspired video clip, Frank Weber, GM’s Volt vehicle line executive, discusses public acceptance for electric propulsion.
He notes people will see the obvious benefits of petroleum free driving; no emissions, and quietness, but also goes on to extol that electric propulsion “opens a new dimension in driving performance and experience.”
He says electric propulsion gives you torque at zero RPM and sheer propulsion with no noise.
He analogizes driving the Volt to driving a “high-end luxury car with a massive, noise-isolated, combustion engine.”
He also says environmental friendly cars were sacrificial in performance, but that the Volt breaks that paradigm.
The Volt’s torque, he notes, is equal to a 250 hp V6 engine, despite it actually being 150 hp. He says “it is like flying,” and people, he feels, will learn about it and be surprised.
He talks about the current production-intent Volt/Cruze mules driving around, and the eagerness of the GM senior leadership to drive them, and when they do, initial smiles are seen within 30 seconds.
Weber is certain that electrification is the future not just for petroleum independence but for driving performance and advised that GM has positioned the Volt “rather on the sportier side” to make the transition to electric vehicles as easy as possible for people to accept.
[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkTCAED7s5A]




