Cadillac plans electric vehicle

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Cadillac said earlier this month that it plans to come out with a compact luxury car aimed squarely at BMW’s highly successful 3-series models. Now the upscale arm of General Motors Co. also plans an electric compact car.

The Cadillac ELR will use a drive train similar to what GM developed for the Chevrolet Volt, which will allow it to travel some distance on only electricity before a gas motor kicks in to act as a generator and extend the vehicle’s range.

This system is known as a series plug-in hybrid vehicle, but others, including GM, call it an extended range electric vehicle. The Volt can go about 35 miles on electricity before the engine starts and extends by at least another 300 miles.

“Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present -- the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing.

The automaker did not release pricing information, but the Volt is expensive compared to other compact cars. A mid-trim level Volt is about $35,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit but before sales taxes and registration fees.

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-- Jerry Hirsch
Twitter.com/LATimesJerry