GM sets EV goal at 500,000 cars

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General Motors hopes to have 500,000 vehicles with either plug-in hybrid or fully electric technology on the road by 2017, leaving conventional hybrids behind.

''The plug-in offers a unique opportunity to change the way people commute,'' said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development. ''Plug-based solutions will play a significant role in our technology portfolio going forward.''

This year, GM is on pace to sell more than 50,000 vehicles with electrification. There's the Volt , of course, but also the Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Malibu with eAssist technology . The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala will follow suit next year.

eAssist uses power stored in the lithium-ion battery to provide the necessary electrical boost in various driving situations and enable regenerative braking capability, optimizing engine and transmission operation.