Lutz says GM wants Volt on the road by 2010

General Motors Corp. hopes to begin producing an all-electric vehicle inspired by its Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle by 2010, according to Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

AutoTech Daily reports that there is still some uncertainty about the program, especially related to costs and improving the required lithium-ion battery technology. But Lutz figures there is only a 10 percent chance that the car will fail to come to fruition. Assuming it does, Lutz says the car will drop the Volt's zoomy design for a more traditional configuration.

Lutz says GM plans to have a driveable version of the Volt ready by year-end.

The prototype unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit featured a flexible architecture in which its lithium battery could be recharged by plugging into a standard outlet or on-the-fly by an onboard fuel cell or generator powered by a small piston engine. The vehicle has an estimated all-electric range of 40 miles.