Those who are regulars to the site know that I have been on my soapbox about electric cars since the plastic wrap came off the first Prius. While I championed the movement at first, I became skeptical that an industry producing CTSs, XKRs and Stingrays couldn’t make an electric car that looks less like the box it came in. The technology underneath is outstanding, but so am I out, standing and looking at a less-than-alluring car.
Fisker, you say? Is that Tesla I hear? Well of course it is. I agree with you wholeheartedly that these are beautiful automobiles. They are/were also out of reach for most people. It would seem that the people who will purchase the most planet-saving vehicles get the least styled vehicles as well.
Well, Cadillac may have a remedy for all that. They have removed the skin of a Chevrolet Volt (an ingenious car) and replaced it with a slick, well-creased design. In addition to reconfiguring the body, they have removed two of the doors. Everyone knows coupes are a shortcut to sexy design.
This is the kind of formula that will help endear electric cars to the hearts of the popular consumer. After all, the countless layers of lacquer on an Aston Martin are beautiful. A clean Nissan Maxima isn’t hand-made like the Aston, but it is attractive also. GM has taken the right step to make electric cars more appealing with the Cadillac ELR. With a list price starting at $75,000, it is the right step, but for the average tree-hugger, it’s still in the wrong direction.
What are your thoughts on the Cadillac ELR?
