What does the future of our favorite GM performance models—like the Corvette, Camaro and even the upcoming Cadillac Blackings—look like? It may already be difficult to tell, but it might be even trickier now that GM just announced plans to “eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035” and reach “carbon neutrality in its global products and operations by 2040.”
What exactly does that mean, and how does GM plan on achieving that? Simply put, the car maker conglomerate is hoping to stop selling passenger cars—no word on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles—that produce tailpipe emissions (you know, from an internal combustion engine) by the year 2035.
On top of that, GM plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, which dictionary.com describes as
“pertaining to or having achieved a state in which the net amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere is reduced to zero because it is balanced by actions to reduce or offset these emissions”
TL;DR: You do things like plant trees and use solar power to offset the amount of carbon you release.
As far as how GM plans to do achieve both those goals, the main focus is on transitioning to electric “or other zero-emissions” vehicles, while working to better use renewable energy sources within its companies. The Ultium battery technology is at the forefront of the endeavor, with GM planning to offer “30 all-electric models globally by mid-decade,” as well as “40 percent of the company’s U.S. models offered will be battery electric vehicles by the end of 2025.”
The internal combustion engine isn’t totally out of the image yet, however, as methods to increase fuel efficiency are also in the works, such as smaller displacement, turbocharged powerplants and more efficient transmissions that will likely feature more than six forward gears.
We’ll let you decide whether or not the plans mentioned above are truly achievable or are just a pipe dream, but in the meantime, you can check out the full press release below:
DETROIT – Today, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and has committed to setting science-based targets?? to achieve carbon neutrality. The company has also signed the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5?C, an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders.
“General Motors is joining governments and companies around the globe working to establish a safer, greener and better world,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO. “We encourage others to follow suit and make a significant impact on our industry and on the economy as a whole.”
In addition to GM’s carbon goals, the company worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop a shared vision of an all-electric future and an aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035. GM’s focus will be offering zero-emissions vehicles across a range of price points and working with all stakeholders, including EDF, to build out the necessary charging infrastructure and promote consumer acceptance while maintaining high quality jobs, which will all be needed to meet these ambitious goals.
“With this extraordinary step forward, GM is making it crystal clear that taking action to eliminate pollution from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 is an essential element of any automaker’s business plan," said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. "EDF and GM have had some important differences in the past, but this is a new day in America — one where serious collaboration to achieve transportation electrification, science-based climate progress and equitably shared economic opportunity can move our nation forward.”
A Science-Based Approach
General Motors is committed to reaching carbon neutrality in its global products and operations by 2040, supported by a commitment to science-based targets. To reach its goals, GM plans to decarbonize??? its portfolio by transitioning to battery electric vehicles or other zero-emissions vehicle technology, sourcing renewable energy and leveraging minimal offsets or credits????.Electrification
The use of GM’s products accounts for 75 percent of carbon emissions related to this commitment. GM will offer 30 all-electric models globally by mid-decade and 40 percent of the company’s U.S. models offered will be battery electric vehicles by the end of 2025. GM is investing $27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles in the next five years – up from the $20 billion planned before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.This investment includes the continued development of GM’s Ultium battery technology, updating facilities such as Factory ZERO in Michigan and Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee to build electric vehicles from globally sourced parts and investing in new sites like Ultium Cells LLC in Ohio as well as manufacturing and STEM jobs.
More than half of GM’s capital spending and product development team will be devoted to electric and electric-autonomous vehicle programs. And in the coming years, GM plans to offer an EV for every customer, from crossovers and SUVs to trucks and sedans.
The company will also continue to increase fuel efficiency of its traditional internal combustion vehicles in accordance with regional fuel economy and greenhouse gas regulations. Some of these initiatives include fuel economy improvement technologies, such as Stop/Start, aerodynamic efficiency enhancements, downsized boosted engines, more efficient transmissions and other vehicle improvements, including mass reduction and lower rolling resistance tires.
Renewable Energy
To address emissions from its own operations, GM will source 100 percent renewable energy to power its U.S. sites by 2030 and global sites by 2035, which represents a five-year acceleration of the company’s previously announced global goal. Today, GM is the 10th largest offtaker of renewable energy in the world and in 2020, the company received a 2020 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Carbon Offsets and Credits
To account for the expected remaining carbon emissions, GM expects to invest in carbon credits or offsets. The company will assess credit and offset solutions in the coming years as the most efficient, equitable and inclusive ideas mature. The company recognizes that offsets must be used sparingly and should reflect a holistic view of mitigating the effects of climate change and helping people thrive around the world.Supply Chain and Infrastructure
GM’s carbon neutral commitment applies to its global product portfolio and owned operations. The company is implementing plans today to reduce the impact associated with its supply chain while supporting grids and utilities to power electric vehicles with renewable energy. GM has worked with some of its largest suppliers to create a sustainability council to share best practices, learn from each other and create new standards for the industry. In addition to the council’s work, GM is collaborating with suppliers to set ambitious targets for the supply chain to reduce emissions, increase transparency and source more sustainable materials.While electric vehicles themselves do not emit tailpipe emissions, it is critical that they be charged with electricity generated from renewable sources like wind and solar. GM has worked with utilities and developers to support investments in renewable energy found in and around communities that have GM facilities via power purchase agreements and green tariffs. The company is also working with EVgo to triple the size of the nation’s largest public fast charging network by adding more than 2,700 new fast chargers by the end of 2025, a move set to help accelerate widespread electric vehicle adoption. The new fast chargers will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. GM believes that the energy sector is well on its way to a decarbonized grid and that an all-electric future will be supported by renewable infrastructure and technology.
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My thoughts:
That's 14 years from now. A lot can happen in 14 years. The people running GM today won't be running it in 2035. Will GM even exist? The people running the country today may not even be alive in 2035. Who knows what the world will be like in 2035. Did we have any idea in 2006 that we would be running around wearing masks in 2020?
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
A really good point. That is a long time from now, and it seems pretty easy to tell the world "hey look at what we are going to do in 14 years." Whether or not they follow through will probably big the bigger news item.
Is a Corvette "light duty passenger vehicles?" Asking for a friend that may be able to afford a new one by 2035 (to go with my late life crisis)
Aside from my rabid hatred of the "Mustang" Mach-E being mislabeled, I'm actually okay with electric cars. For the general populace. For probably 3/4 of the regular drivers out there they will be perfectly adequate and acceptable, and the diminished maintenance will be a fair compensation for the (certainly) increased cost.
As for me, I will just keep driving my outdated IC engine vehicle as long as gas pumps exit. At my age I'll be done driving before they cease to exist.
Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) said:Is a Corvette "light duty passenger vehicles?" Asking for a friend that may be able to afford a new one by 2035 (to go with my late life crisis)
Yes,
Although, from a regulatory standpoing, it's light duty vehicle. All cars fall into that category. Trucks have the option of being a Medium Duty or Heavy Duty vehicle, which has different requirements.
The thing is- for the most part, the opny MDV or HDV that normal consuers buy are to tow something really big- RV, Horses, etc, or actually be something really big- RV. And lots of those are sold by third party companies, like Winnebago.
But that has nothing to do with a Corvette being a passenger car or light duty vehicle.
Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) said:That's 14 years from now. A lot can happen in 14 years. The people running GM today won't be running it in 2035. Will GM even exist? The people running the country today may not even be alive in 2035. Who knows what the world will be like in 2035. Did we have any idea in 2006 that we would be running around wearing masks in 2020?
True, but it's this is a big, big change, and if they are going to do it, they need to start now. Besides, the whole industry is going this way. I certainly don't think that the market will be EV-only by 2035, but it's going to have a lot more EVs than it does now.
Honestly, we're getting close to the inflection point. Once range, price, and charger availability all fall into an acceptable area for averge folks, I think EV sales are going to take off.
I won't miss pumping gas- what with the stinky 'clean' gas, cigarette butts, chew, diesel, tampons, etc. laying around.... nasty.
So where do we stand on power generation? I get that electrics pollute less at the point if use, but IIRC coal is a finite resource. I have not heard great things about wind and solar, and nuclear has an issue with waste products. So where is all of this juice going to come from in the future?
On a related not, what happens to gas stations if all cars to electric? I heard somewhere that they make almost nothing on selling fuel, it is the snacks and drinks you buy where they earn their dough. So do they all just become convenience stores with no gas?
And what about states where you can't pump your own gas, is it NJ? Does someone have to plug in your eVette? Inquiring minds want to know.
And if you run out of charge, can you hitch-hike to the nearest charging station, buy a portable battery with the equivalent of 1 gallons of gas then then walk back to your Tesla and recharge enough to get off the shoulder and to a charger? Can you just carry a spare with you? Will AAA bring you a small battery for a quick refill? 10-bucks says that after a few years, the government will mandate a redesigned charging plug that sucks and spills electricity all over the place.
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