Gm's Electric Future: New Vehicle Designs Unveiled

what new electric vehicles is gm designing

General Motors has been working towards an all-electric future since the 1990s, when it introduced the battery electric Impact prototype. The company has since released several electric vehicles, including the EV1, the Volt, and the Ultium battery-based EVs. GM is committed to electrifying 50% of its fleet by 2030 and has invested $35 billion in EVs and AVs. By 2035, the company aims to phase out all fuel and diesel-powered vehicles and transition to an entirely electric lineup, with a focus on sustainability and technological leadership. GM is also addressing range anxiety and charging infrastructure concerns with its Ultium platform and is working on collaborations with Honda and LG Chem to advance its EV infrastructure. The company's current electric vehicle offerings include the GMC Hummer EV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and the Cadillac LYRIQ.

Characteristics Values
Company General Motors
Goal To convert half its fleet to electric vehicles
Target Year 2030
Investment $750 million in private capital
Battery Platform Ultium
Ultium Features Modular battery and drive unit combinations
Ultium Benefits Accommodates a wide range of EV styles and sizes
EV Drive System Electric motors, single-speed transmissions, and integrated power electronics
Vehicles Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV, Cadillac LYRIQ
Charging Stations GM PowerUp + Level 2 chargers
Charging Network GM and Pilot Company are collaborating on a coast-to-coast network
Carbon Neutrality Target 2040

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GM's new E-Flex Systems Design Studio

General Motors (GM) has opened a new studio dedicated to its next generation of electrically-driven vehicles. The new studio, GM's new E-Flex Systems Design Studio, is located within GM's Advanced Design Center and will develop a variety of vehicles using the E-flex propulsion system. The E-Flex Systems Design Studio is the only studio in the world specifically designated to design a wide range of electric plug-in vehicles with a range extender.

The first vehicle in GM's "E-Flex" family is the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric vehicle that will run up to 40 miles without using gasoline. The Volt will be powered by an electric motor that draws energy from onboard batteries. These batteries will be recharged by a small internal combustion engine that can run on gas, diesel, or ethanol. When not in use, the Volt can be recharged by plugging it into an electric outlet.

The E-Flex Systems Design Studio is part of GM's broader commitment to an all-electric future. The company has invested $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles and aims to electrify 50% of its fleet by 2030 and achieve 100% electrification by 2035. GM is also addressing charging infrastructure concerns by investing $750 million in developing EV charging stations across the United States.

GM's battery platform, featuring modular battery and drive unit combinations, is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, crossovers, cars, and commercial vehicles. The Ultium battery platform, introduced in 2020, offers exceptional power, performance, and range capabilities, further advancing GM's EV infrastructure.

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GM's battery platform

The Ultium battery has a modular design that enhances energy density and space efficiency. The battery cells are large, pouch-type cells that can be arranged vertically or horizontally to suit different vehicle spaces. This design also aims to ease reuse and recycling, with an almost completely wireless battery management system. The wireless system reduces cost, weight, complexity, warranty issues, and space requirements.

The battery chemistry blend of nickel-manganese-cobalt-aluminum has helped GM reduce cobalt use by 70% compared to competitors, and the aluminum strengthens the electrodes to prevent lithium spikes during fast charging. GM is also developing second-generation lithium-metal batteries with SolidEnergy, promising to double the energy density at 60% of the cost of first-generation cells. These batteries will be backward-compatible, allowing owners of first-generation Ultium products to upgrade.

The Ultium Platform will power a range of electric vehicles, including the GMC Hummer EV pickup, GMC Hummer EV SUV, Chevy Blazer EV, Chevy Equinox EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and Chevy Silverado EV. The battery options range from 50 kWh to over 200 kWh, offering a driving distance of 300 miles or more on a single charge. This range could exceed 600 miles with the second-generation lithium-metal batteries.

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GM's Ultium Platform

General Motors (GM) is committed to an all-electric future, with a goal of converting 50% of its fleet to electric vehicles by 2030 and 100% by 2035. To achieve this, GM has developed the Ultium Platform, a flexible and modular battery platform that serves as the foundation for its electric vehicle (EV) lineup.

The Ultium Platform offers a versatile design that can accommodate a wide range of EV styles and sizes. It features a combination of modular battery packs and drive units, allowing GM to build various vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, crossovers, cars, and commercial vehicles. The batteries can be stacked either horizontally or vertically, depending on the vehicle's form factor, and are placed between the axles and under the floor. This design provides outstanding power, range, and performance, making GM's EVs exciting and affordable to drive.

The Ultium Drive, introduced in September 2020, refers to the electric vehicle drivetrain components excluding the batteries. It includes traction motors and power electronics. Ultium vehicles are powered by a modular family of five drive units and three electric traction motors, collectively known as "Ultium Drive". The drive units are single-speed reduction gearboxes that can accept one or two traction motors, providing power to the wheels. The traction motor(s), reduction gear, and power electronics are integrated into a single Ultium Drive unit, driving either the front, rear, or both axles.

The Ultium Platform also incorporates a wireless battery management system (wBMS), a first for any automaker. Developed in partnership with Analog Devices, the wBMS reduces battery costs by requiring less wiring and occupying less volume. Additionally, GM has demonstrated the flexibility of the Ultium Platform by showcasing various module configurations. This allows for multiple module sizes that can be mixed and matched for different applications and platforms, further enhancing the versatility of their EV lineup.

GM's commitment to an all-electric future extends beyond passenger vehicles. They are also developing zero-emission fuel cell solutions for commercial vehicles and collaborating with Wabtec to provide Ultium battery modules for zero-emission heavy-haul locomotives. With ongoing innovations in the Ultium Platform and investments in EV charging infrastructure, GM is actively shaping a sustainable future for the automotive industry.

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GM's charging stations

General Motors (GM) is committed to supporting the broader market as it transitions to an all-electric future. As part of this commitment, GM is investing in the development of EV charging stations. The company has committed $750 million in private capital to this initiative and is working with its dealers and community partners to identify the best locations for these stations.

GM is also working to simplify the charging experience for its customers. The company offers a mobile app that helps customers find compatible charging stations, initiate charging, and pay for charging. The app also allows customers to order a NACS DC adapter, which can be used with Tesla Superchargers and NACS DC fast-charging stations. In addition, GM is working with EVgo to increase the number of fast-charging stations available across the United States, with a goal of having 2,700 new stations by the end of 2025.

GM is also addressing charging infrastructure on a broader scale. The company is collaborating with industry leaders to help accelerate the deployment of vital charging infrastructure and expand access to charging across residential, workplace, and public charging locations. This includes working with EV charging providers such as Blink Charging, ChargePoint, EVgo, and FLO.

Furthermore, GM is committed to helping its customers with home charging solutions. The company collaborates with Qmerit, a nationwide network of certified EV charger installers, to simplify the process of installing home charging stations. Chevrolet, a GM brand, covers the standard installation of Level 2 charging outlets for qualified and eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV. Level 2 chargers can generally deliver between 7 to 40 miles of range per hour of charging, depending on the vehicle, battery condition, and climate.

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GM's zero-emissions future

General Motors (GM) has committed to electrifying 50% of its fleet by 2030 and 100% of its automotive fleet for passenger and light-duty vehicles by 2035. The company is making major investments to support the broader market and has committed $750 million in private capital to the development of EV charging stations. GM is also working with dealers and community partners to identify the best locations for these stations.

GM's battery platform features modular battery and drive unit combinations, allowing for a wide range of trucks, SUVs, crossovers, cars, and commercial vehicles. The EV drive system, made up of electric motors, single-speed transmissions, and integrated power electronics, powers GMC EVs. The company's modular battery platform and flexible design allow it to accommodate various EV styles and sizes.

GM's journey towards electrification began with the EV1, introduced in 1996. Despite initial enthusiasm, technological limitations and high production costs led to its discontinuation. However, GM has since introduced the Ultium battery platform, which offers versatility for a wide range of EVs, including trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. The company has also expanded its EV portfolio into new markets and formed strategic partnerships with Honda and LG Chem to advance its EV infrastructure.

GM's current electric vehicle offerings include the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the GMC Hummer EV, and the Cadillac LYRIQ. The Silverado EV is a boundary-breaking truck offering increased flexibility and efficiency, while the GMC Hummer EV is an all-electric supertruck with 1,000 horsepower and impressive torque. The Cadillac LYRIQ is an all-electric luxury SUV that seamlessly connects heart to mind and soul to body.

Frequently asked questions

GM is designing a range of electric vehicles, including the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, the Silverado EV, the GMC Hummer EV, and the Cadillac LYRIQ. The company is also working on a network of charging stations and new products for home, commercial, and community use.

The Ultium battery platform, introduced in 2020, features modular battery and drive unit combinations, offering versatility for a wide range of EVs, including trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. The platform provides exceptional power, performance, and range capabilities, addressing range anxiety and charging infrastructure concerns.

GM has committed to electrifying 50% of its fleet by 2030 and aims for a fully electric automotive fleet for passenger and light-duty vehicles by 2035. The company is investing $750 million in private capital to develop EV charging stations and has partnered with Honda and LG Chem to advance its EV infrastructure. GM's broader goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

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