GM CEO says 'doors open' to alternative energy including fuel cells

Just because General Motors (GM) is touting its Chevrolet Volt electric car technology, it hasn't stopped pursuing other energy alternatives, from hydrogen fuel cells to natural gas, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said Wednesday.

"We're keeping all the doors open or ajar," said Akerson, who took over as CEO in September. "I really do think what is good for this country is good for GM."

Because other alternative-fuel vehicles won't come easy or fast, GM also is trying to make the most of what it has on the road. That means finding ways to cut the cost of its electric car technology. The new plug-in Volt, on sale since December, costs $41,000 before government incentives.

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Akerson said he hopes weight reduction, strides in battery technology and greater production volumes will reduce costs for the next generation without sacrificing quality. "We're working hard to get cost out of the Volt."

This year, GM will build 10,000 Volts, which can run more than 25 miles on electricity alone before a gas engine generator kicks in. It's shooting for 40,000 cars next year, says Mark Reuss, GM's North American president.

While GM continues research into several other alternatives, Akerson has higher immediate hopes for some than for others:

• Hydrogen. While "There is no doubt we're one of the two leaders in hydrogen fuel development," he says that GM might still be five years from selling hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. "They are simply too expensive for production," and there aren't enough hydrogen refueling stations.

• Ethanol. Even though GM has championed ethanol as a fast, easy way for the U.S. to stretch oil supplies and reduce emissions, Akerson says wider acceptance will require a "national energy policy" that encourages its use. He said GM isn't backing down from building more flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on gasoline or up to E85 ethanol (a fuel that's 85% ethanol and 15% gas).

• Natural gas. Akerson said he's heard tycoon T. Boone Pickens tout the benefits of natural gas-powered vehicles and is intrigued, but GM hasn't committed to that alternative.

He said the search goes on as GM and other automakers strive to meet higher government standards for gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions through 2016. And with even tougher regulations on the horizon requiring vehicles to get 60 miles per gallon or more, Akerson said, "That's why I'm intently focused on alternative energy."

Source: Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY