The Holden Volt would have had a hard time justifying its existence if the soon-to-be defunct Australian automaker would have gone through with its program to develop an electric version of the familiar Commodore. They were reportedly pretty near the end of the development cycle, but now it’s all pointless because production of the Commodore will be terminated in 2017.

It was a promising endeavor because the end product was slated to cost around $10,000 AUD less than the Volt.

The information was obtained by GoAuto that quoted the technology officer for Axiflux (the Melbourne-based firm that was in charge of the project for Holden, David Jahshan. He said they “got really, really close to actually having a product-ready device,” and that “it’s really sad that the Australian car industry took a turn for the worst at that particular time. It all comes down to timing, doesn’t it?”

They still have a fleet of seven converted Commodores, which they say they’ll run “until they fail.”

The work put into the project by EV Engineering and Bosch Australia will not necessarily go to waste, if a viable commercial opportunity arises where the acquired knowledge will be usable.

Below you’ll find videos dating back to 2012, featuring the old-gen Commodore EV in action.

By Andrei Nedelea

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