Chrysler-Fiat won’t be investing into electric vehicles until consumers are willing to pay for the technology, according to Bob Lee, head of Fiat and Chrysler global Powertrain.
At the 2013 CAR Management Briefing’s Advanced Powertrain Forum, Lee expressed that consumers aren’t willing to pay enough for hybrids and electric vehicles to warrant the additional cost of the technology. Chrysler-Fiat would rather focus on developing more diesel and turbocharged engines for its vehicles until consumers are willing to pay for the tech. He also added that the automaker doesn’t expect that to happen for another decade.
Of course the counter argument is how well Tesla is doing with its Model S, which is hardly a cheap car. But then again, the Model S comes loaded with a lot more luxury items than a standard Fiat or Chrysler model. Currently Fiat offers the electric 500e that’s sold only in California and at the same price as the standard, gasoline-powered 500.
When it comes to simply improving fuel efficiency, Chrysler-Fiat feels that it’s better invested into diesel and smaller, turbocharged engines in order to hit those figures.
[Source: Automotive News]
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