GM claims to have solved Bolt's technical challenges

General Motors has "pretty much resolved" the technical challenges of producing its groundbreaking Bolt electric car, the company's head of product development has said, which could transform the niche technology's prospects.

However, Mark Reuss added that there remained "commercial issues" to resolve with the vehicle, which is meant to cost $30,000 after federal tax incentives and be capable of running for 200 miles between battery charges.

GM is likely to have a substantial head start over competitors if it has cracked the challenges of producing a long-range electric car cheaply. One of the most popular long-range existing vehicles - Tesla Motors' Model S - starts at about $67,500 after federal incentives.

Pam Fletcher, GM's executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles, backed up Mr Reuss's contention, saying the company was well on its way to developing the critical battery for the new vehicle.

GM faced considerable scepticism when it unveiled the Bolt concept car at January's Detroit auto show about whether it could produce a battery that held sufficient energy for a 200-mile trip at a reasonable price.

"We've pretty much resolved most of them," Mr Reuss said of the technical issues. But he added that the company still has to ensure the vehicle's different systems integrated satisfactorily. "We know how to do it," Mr Reuss said. "We're doing it and evaluating it."

Ms Fletcher said GM had the "right proposition" for the battery. "We're moving forward with that proposition", she said.

Many observers believe that a cost-effective electric vehicle with a 200-mile range could substantially increase demand for electric vehicles. There were only 64,772 pure electric vehicles sold last year in the US, according to the National Auto Dealers' Association - less than 0.4 per cent of the 16.4m total.

Michelle Krebs, an analyst for the car information site AutoTrader.com, said any technical progress would help with both the price and range issues facing electric vehicles.

"Those are big issues with electric vehicles," she said.

At the New York auto show this month, Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Japan's Nissan, one of the keenest proponents of electric vehicles, declined to comment on the Bolt and his company's progress. He instead portrayed the challenge facing the sector as a lack of charging infrastructure, which would take time to resolve. "We are going to need to be patient," he said.

Tesla is also planning a mass-market electric vehicle, the Model 3, meant to have a 200-mile range and sell for $35,000. The vehicle is due to go on sale in 2017. Production of the Bolt is due to start next year.

Ms Fletcher, meanwhile, stressed that the issues with designing the Bolt went beyond the challenges of producing a suitable battery and reducing the vehicle's weight. Much of the work was going into reducing air drag on the vehicle.

"Mass is important," Ms Fletcher said. "Aerodynamics are an even bigger lever in vehicle efficiency."

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