Gm May Not Sell First Electric Cars

General Motors Corp.’s electric car, due to roll out this fall at Saturn dealerships in four major markets, may not be for sale.

The automaker is leaning toward limiting the deals it makes for the first EV1 models to leases only, no outright sales. The intent would be to make the customer’s experience as convenient and risk-free as possible, according to Saturn.

“People that look at high technology, people that look at a new product, regardless of how much money they would spend on it, always have a little uncertainty,” Saturn spokesman Robert Tripolsky said Thursday. “What if I get it and don’t like it? What if the product is great, but it doesn’t suit my needs?”

By leasing an EV1 instead of buying it, a consumer could ease uncertainty in other areas:

Resale value, which is unknown with a totally new product like the EV1.

Buyer mobility. With a leased car, a consumer could worry less about moving outside the initial four marketing areas - Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.

Changing technology. With a two-year lease, customers would know that the electric cars they are driving aren’t outdated or obsolete.