Pricey project
GM wanted to sell the Chevrolet Volt for less than $30,000, but the number has ballooned to about $43,000. These are the main factors driving up the Volt's price.
• Lithium ion battery pack
• Compact 110-kw electric motor; specialized microprocessor controls
• Changing systems such as power steering that usually draw power from internal combustion engine
• Fast development pace with no time to eliminate mechanical redundancies
• One-off parts
DETROIT — In 2006, Bob Lutz was steaming over Toyota Motor Corp.'s success with the Prius hybrid.
