Ask GM's Exec. Chief Engineer For Electric Vehicles Pam Fletcher a Question

Pam Fletcher was propulsion system chief engineer on the first Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and is now executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles at GM. A racing enthusiast, Pam developed racing engines for GM , McLaren, and NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Sr.. Her current role has her running a multi-national department overseeing electrified vehicles company-wide. Fletcher has agreed to take a moment out of her busy day to answer any questions you might have. As usual, ask as many as you'd like, but please, one per post.

Comments

Re:The General Motors EV1

[Anonymous Coward]

*long sigh* They HAD to cancel EV1, the technology was not viable for mass adoption. They couldnt obey regulations such as Californias 15 year parts and service infrastructure for the car. It would have been a HUGE loss perhaps impossible for all I know and then in violation of regulations/law. They had to be destroyed. This was known by engineers. That video was made by moronic liberals accusing GM of killing electric vehicles, while failing utterly failing to comprehend and accept engineering limits at the time. It's literally a stupid video made by people who are angry and dumb. GM should be given *credit* for the EV1 project. Why in the fuck would they not want to be the first one to electric, they make and sell cars, not oil. Yes, I'm sure all the engineers in southeast michigan at the time had big connections with the oil biz at the time..oooook.

Informed.

Re:The General Motors EV1

[taiwanjohn]

Exactly. As Elon has noted many times, when you have to forcefully recall your product from unwilling customers who then go on to hold a candle-light vigil for the destruction of their cars, the "market" is not a barrier to your product... you're doing all this because you want to kill it, pure and simple.

Perhaps the market was small and upscale, but it existed, and it was strong. GM could have pursued development in this space, but it vehemently decided not to. Tesla just picked up that residual demand and built on it.