GM CEO Mary Barra identified the primary problem with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). Most owners do not plug them in to charge. This behavior negates the technology's environmental benefits. PHEVs can become less environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline cars.
Barra’s comments suggest GM will take a cautious approach to PHEVs in its vehicle lineup. Speaking at an Automotive Press Association conference, Barra acknowledged this user behavior as a known flaw. She stated the company is being "very thoughtful about what we do from a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid perspective."
This admission comes as automakers re-evaluate their electric vehicle strategies. The re-evaluation follows shifting consumer demand and market dynamics.