GM executive: Volt "extremely important," but so are fuel-cells

In an interview published in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday, GM's Manager of Hydrogen and Electrical Infrastructure Development, Britta Gross, talked a little about GM's priorities.  Basically, it comes down to this: They're depending on the Volt to revitalize the company, but they're also working hard on hydrogen fuel-cell development.

Gross told the paper that the Volt was "extremely important" for the future of the company, saying "It will make people take a fresh look at General Motors and make them realize that this is a great car company..."  She noted that the Volt is still on track for a November 2010 launch and that the bankruptcy never interrupted their progress on the vehicle.

Even though the Volt is priority number one, Gross also explained that they're not betting it all on one idea.  She said the company had a "very aggressive development program for the fuel cell...hydrogen gets you certain performance benefits that you don't get from other alternative fuels.  We can't just assume batteries are going to solve all our problems."

Speaking to their commitment to fuel cell technology, the company recently debuted their fifth generation fuel cell that is half the size of its predecessor.  Not only is it smaller and lighter, but it will also be cheaper.   GM reduced the amount of platinum used by more than 50 percent and will significantly up production, cutting the costs per unit.  The fuel cell, which will be introduced in 2015, is expected to reach 120,000 miles where the fourth generation only has a life of 80,000 miles.