Yeah, the same company which did everything they could to avoid paying “their fair share” has lost that loving feeling for hybrids and electric vehicles (via Doug Ross)
(Gas2) While General Electric has a vested interest in see electric and plug-in hybrid cars storm the car market, GE has apparently had a change of heart. The electronics and aviation giant announced that it was no longer seeking to replace much of its fleet with 25,000 hybrid and electric vehicles. Instead, GE will pursue other alt-fuel options, including CNG and propane.
That isn’t to say GE is completely abandoning its plans to buy electrified vehicles; just a few months ago GE announced that it would be buying 2,000 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids to bolster its fleet. Add to that the thousands of Chevy Volts GE has already purchased, and it is fair to say that GE put its money where its mouth is.
Unfortunately, as GE soon found out, hybrids and electric vehicles don’t make financial sense for every job or situation. With many GE employees logging an average of 100 miles or more a day, the hybrids face diminishing returns when it comes to fuel savings, and a Chevy Volt is a poor replacement for a work truck or van.
The Volt is a poor replacement for a car, much less a truck or van. Strange, why wouldn’t they be thrilled with vehicles that cost in the $35k to $45k range when
The Volt’s range is 380 miles, including 38 miles in electric-only mode, while the C-Max averages 620 miles, with 21 miles in electric mode, according to the EPA.
So, if you want to go anywhere, you have to use evil fossil fuels.
Gee Teach not sure who told you that the hybrids were going to replace ALL vehicles. As for range well GE must need at least some cars that average 100 miles per day which is 2 times the average that American cars go in a year. Most cars average about 40 miles per day 200 per week or tehre abouts. 12000 miles a year is normal not 25000. The Volt outsold 50% of all the car models sold in the USA it out sold the Audi A6 for example. And its projected cost to produce is thought to be about 4000 dollars more than a Cruze. Forbes has written a lot, they seem to think that the Volt is a sucess. Motor Trend named it car of the year. Did you also see that Tesla now is putting in place a 30 minute electric charging station for its cars that go 180 miles? These cars are not perfect but they are the future. ALL manufacturers bare investing in this technology, of course they know it will not generate profits immediately.
Have you bought one yet?
Sorry john, but no. One columnist thought the Volt was a success. Forbes as a whole has declared the Volt to be a disaster.
I am just curious john how you feel about the government stealing proprietary information from one company to give to Ford and GM? Are you for that?
[…] GE: Hybrid And Electric Vehicles Make No Financial Sense … […]
Electric cars are not even popular in America. You would think an auto maker that is half owned by the tax payer would at least try to make the money back up that they owe us by sticking with money making autos. They’ll go under again and Obama will try to bail them out AGAIN on our dime.
And no, the average miles per year is now about 20,000. Try finding a low mileage used car with anything less than @20K miles per year.
Keeping up the lies? We’ve already debunked that myth. And why compare a “commuting car” to a “uber-luxury car”? Is it because only the rich can really afford to get a Volt as a second, or third car?
Am glad to see that GE is finally waking up though. Now maybe they’ll stop the hugely stupid “green week” on the socialist NBC network.
I hope NBC goes all out on the green binge and take themselves off the air to benefit humanity. Go NBCless, save mother earth.