Chevy Volt charging up
January 30, 2011
December 20, 2010
Chevy Volt integrates recycled materials into components
Oil soaked booms from BP’s Gulf oil spill are being recycled into Chevrolet’s electric
vehicle polymer-based components for the Volt. …
… “The parts, which deflect air around the vehicle’s radiator, are comprised of 25 percent boom material and 25 percent recycled tires from GM’s Milford Proving Ground vehicle test facility.
The remaining is a mixture of post-consumer recycled plastics and other polymers.
GM worked with several partners throughout the recovery and development processes.” …
Via General Motors: Chevrolet Volt Components.
A view of the value chain for GM parts where recycled materials are integrated into the supply. …
November 14, 2010
GE Makes Committment to Electric Cars - to Purchase 25,000 EVs
General Electric announced that they would purchase 25,000 EV by 2015. This is the largest EV purchase announced so far and will get GE closer towards their goal of having half their global fleet being EV by 2015.
"“By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.”"The plan is to buy 12,000 Chevy Volts (General Motors) starting in 2011 and then buy from other manufacturers as they are brfought to the market.
GE will initially purchase 12,000 GM vehicles, beginning with the Chevrolet Volt in 2011, and will add other vehicles as manufacturers bring them to market. By 2015 GE will convert at least half of its global fleet of 30,000 vehicles and will partner with its fleet customers to deploy a total of 25,000 EVs.
GE's Jeffery Immelt says ..." Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”"
Via: GE LINK
September 09, 2010
GM Plants Drive Down Waste - Many Achieve Zero Landfill Status
Eliminating waste sent to the landfill saves both money and the planet. Many GM plants " ... no longer send any production waste to landfills."
43 % send no production waste to landfills !
LINK to see plants by type and location.
The numbers are huge ... " ... 2 million tons ... will be recycled or reused ...additional 45,000 tons ... converted to energy at waste-to-energy facilities...."
Via: General Motors LINK
July 30, 2010
Chevy Volt Pricing Released !!
The auto marketplace has been eagerly waiting official pricing for the Chevy Volt - an all electric auto. Unlike hybrids with a gas engine that provides additional HP for motion the Volt engine does not directly drive the wheels but recharges the battery.
Pricing is approx. $41,000 before a federal tax credit of $7,500 resulting in $33,500 to the consumer.
" ... uses gas to create its own electricity. ... run on a pure electric charge for up to 40 miles ... gas and emissions free. ... uses a range-extending gas generator that produces enough energy to power it for hundreds of miles on a single tank of gas. "
Via: Chevrolet LINK
May 11, 2010
Zero landfill manufacturing facilities are possible
General Motors demonstrates sustainability leadership in its manufacturing facilities by recycling and eliminating its waste streams. …
… “More than 2 million tons of waste materials will be recycled or reused at GM plants worldwide this year. An additional 45,000 tons will be converted to energy at waste-to-energy facilities.
Although zero landfill sites recycle or reuse their waste in some way, other GM facilities also attain high levels of recycling. Overall, GM’s global facilities currently recycle more than 90 percent of the waste they generate.
Waste elimination and recycling at GM’s zero landfill plants and other facilities will prevent more than 3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emission reductions from entering the atmosphere this year. ” …
Via GM: Plants eliminate waste to landfills.
October 25, 2009
GM Spark - Electric Car for Under $6000.
GM is planning to sell an all electric small car in India ...
Read on for more >>>
" ... all-electric Spark will go on sale next year in India ... GM parners with Reva Electric Car Co. ... plug-in Spark can be re-charged
at any standard socket in India, requiring no new infrastructure. That’s what’s limited sales of other alternative-energy cars in India so far...."
Via: ZDNet LINK
August 18, 2009
Chevy's Volt - All New Electric Car
The new Chevy Volt promises to be an interesting car. It is a hybrid that is battery powered with an engine to charge the batteries ... the engine DOES NOT power the wheels! Take a test drive and learn more about one of GM and the U.S. auto industry's most promising new cars. Via: ZDnet.com LINK
August 06, 2009
2011 Buick Plug-In Electric Hybrid Crossover SUV Planned
Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development, expects Buick to launch a new plug-in electric crossover sport utility vehicle in 2011. ...
... "The Buick plug-in hybrid is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker. The Buick plug-in hybrid has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips. This significant boost is achieved by combining a modified version of GM's proven 2-Mode Hybrid system with advanced lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for GM's Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in late 2010. The Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. " ...Via GM: Plug-In Hybrid System
April 22, 2009
Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility)
What do you get when you take a Segway "scoote
r" and put a seat and "body" on it? GM and Segway are prototyping this concept to develop a P.U.M.A. - personal urban mobility and access device.
Read on for more ...
" ... Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype. ... working concept ... in collaboration with General Motors Corp. ..."
"... demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility ... Built off of the proven reliable and safe technology you find in Segway Personal Transporters (PTs), the prototype truly does expand upon the exhilarating riding experience…"
Via: Segway LINK
March 19, 2009
Electric Vehicle Battery Value Chain
General Motors' Volt will source electric vehicle battery cells from LG Chem in South Korea which is only one part of the value chain for this critical part. ...
... "That is GM’s role in the Volt’s battery value chain. We write the software and produce the electronic controls that operate the battery. We design the battery pack. We integrate the battery into the vehicle. We design the vehicle, and maximize the battery’s capabilities to meet the Volt’s unique performance expectations, such as up to 40 miles of electric-only driving. " ...Via General Motors FastLane: Batteries Developed in the U.S.
September 21, 2008
September 07, 2008
Large Rooftop Solar Project Power Inverters
Satcon is supplying inverters to the 12 megawatt solar project atop the General Motors car manufacturing facility in Figueruelas, Zaragoza Spain. This rooftop solar installation covers 2,000,000 square feet and has a surface area of 183,000 square meters. ...
... "The PV system will be operational at the end of September 2008 and is comprised of roughly 85,000 thin film solar panels that will be connected to Satcon PowerGate Plus Inverters. Once fully operationally, the solar installation will generate 10 MW of peak power output and 15.1 million kilowatt hours of power annually. " ...Via SatCon Technology: Largest Rooftop Photovoltaic Array
GM: "Production first began on the Opel Corsa in 1982 at General Motors España's plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza). "
GM Europe: "GM Espana today assembles the third-generation Corsa, and the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva. "
Figueruelas: "Figueruelas (population 1,040) is a small town and municipality in the Spanish Autonomical Region of Aragón, province of Zaragoza. "
August 27, 2008
Mass Production Hydrogen Cars Cross the US
Continue reading "Mass Production Hydrogen Cars Cross the US" »
July 22, 2008
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
GM and utilities plan collaboration to build the infrastructure to support electric plug-in vehicles. ...
... "General Motors will work with EPRI and the utility companies on everything from codes and standards to grid capability to ensure that when the Volt goes to market, the infrastructure is ready - and customers can realize the full potential of these revolutionary vehicles as soon as they leave the showroom. Details of the alliance, which is by far the largest and most-comprehensive between an automaker and the electric utility industry, were announced today in San Jose during the Plug-In 2008 Conference. Among the many things the coalition will address include ensuring safe and convenient vehicle charging, raising the public awareness and understanding of plug-in electric vehicles, and working with public policy leaders to enable a transition from petroleum to electricity as a fuel source. " ...Via GM: Major Collaboration to Commercialize Plug-in Vehicles
July 13, 2008
May 06, 2008
February 06, 2008
Corporate Greenwashing
General Motors hosts online conversation today, February 6 at 12noon EST, on the topic of greenwashing. ... General Motors Live Chat
January 23, 2008
Chevrolet Equinox "Fuel Cell" Wins Award
" ... Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell has received Green Car Journal's ... Green Car Vision Award(TM), which honors the vehicle that best envisions the road ahead. ..."
"The Equinox ... is visionary on many levels," ... Powering a popular crossover model with a future fuel such as hydrogen, and doing so seamlessly with an efficient powerplant that creates no CO2 greenhouse gases, is exemplary and Chevrolet should be commended for this."
"An important element that weighed in the Equinox Fuel Cell's favor is the way in which GM is enabling consumers and fleets to experience its advanced hydrogen technology. Through "Project Driveway," the world's largest fuel cell demonstration fleet, more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles will be driven by consumers and others for three months at a time in California, New York City, and Washington D.C."
Via: Sys-Con.Com LinkContinue reading "Chevrolet Equinox "Fuel Cell" Wins Award" »
September 13, 2007
General Motors Solar Warehouse in California
General Motors takes creative approach to solar power at its Service and Parts Operations (SPO) warehouse in Fontana, California, where a solar array will provide about half of the electrical power needed to run the facility. ...
... "This new array continues the automaker’s leadership in both the use of solar energy and in innovative business arrangements that blur old distinctions between energy user and energy supplier. The Fontana solar array will be atop GM’s 300,000 square foot warehouse facility and will become operational in December. It joins a similar sized solar installation at another GM Service and Parts Operations warehouse eight miles away in Rancho Cucamonga. Constellation Energy and Project Services has partnered with GM and will design, build, own, and operate the Fontana solar array. GM has a long-term contract with Constellation to purchase electricity generated from the system.
The solar array provides General Motors a clean, reliable source of energy from its rooftop, without an investment of its own money. General Motors estimates that the solar array at its SPO facility in Fontana will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 355 metric tons each year, while reducing its electricity costs by about 10 percent a year. The system will generate about 1.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, about the amount needed to power 500 homes for one year. Electricity generated by the solar array not used by the GM facility will be fed back to the grid for sale to other area residents and businesses. During spring and fall, which are periods of high sunshine combined with low air conditioning needs, the system will generate extra electricity for the grid. " ...
Via General Motors: General Motors Adds More Solar Power
September 12, 2007
GM E85 Days of Summer Tour
See General Motors' E85 ethanol-capable promotional tour in the Miami area. ...
... "Miami is one of seven stops on the E85 Days of Summer tour that runs through the end of this month. The Miami stop will coincide with the opening of South Florida’s first public E85 ethanol pump located at U-Gas, 210 Northwest 79th Avenue, in Miami. CleanFUEL Distribution will be the provider of E85 ethanol for the new pump. To celebrate the opening, GM and U-Gas will sell E85 ethanol for 85 cents per gallon from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13 and Friday, September 14. E85 ethanol regularly sells for about $2.55 a gallon. Additionally, the first 75 customers driving a GM FlexFuel E85-capable vehicle will receive a $20 U-Gas refueling card. Drivers of FlexFuel vehicles also will have the opportunity to have a yellow gas cap installed on their vehicle at no charge as a reminder that their vehicles are E85 capable. Stickers inside the fuel door and owner’s manuals also identify whether a vehicle has flex-fuel capability. Experts from GM and CleanFUEL Distribution will be on hand at the pump promotion to answer questions. " ...Via General Motors: Days of Summer Tour
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June 16, 2007
Light Duty V-8 Clean Diesel
General Motors Corp. plans to ship the 4.5L V-8 Duramax turbo-diesel engine for trucks and Hummers. The diesel engine technology improves fuel efficiency by 25 percent, reduces CO2 emissions by 13 percent, and cuts particulates and NOx emissions by at least 90 percent. ...
... "Environmental benefits of the new engine include a 13-percent reduction in CO2versus gasoline engines, and at least a 90-percent reduction in particulates and NOx compared to diesel vehicles today. This will be GM’s first engine to use a selective catalytic reduction NOx aftertreatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards. Technical highlights of the engine include aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding; a variable-vane turbocharger with intercooling; a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) block for a stronger and lighter engine base (compared to lower-strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron); and fracture-split main bearing caps and connecting rods for a precise fit. An electronically controlled, ultra-high-pressure, common-rail fuel system is used, which has the ability to inject fuel five times per combustion event to control noise and emissions. " ...
Via General Motors: Light Duty V-8 Clean Diesel
June 14, 2007
Jay Leno Turbine EcoJet Runs on Biodiesel
Interview of Jay Leno's garage manager ...
Challenge X Sustainable Mobility Video
Video of student Challenge X to modify crossover SUV for energy efficiency and improved performance. ...
June 06, 2007
GM Pursues Battery Development For Chevy Volt
GM awards contracts for battery development to CPI and Continental Auto Systems to power its Chevy Volt, electric car. CPI was formed in 2000 to become the supplier of choice for state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology for automotive and industrial applications. The Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG covers the full range of systems and specializes in the
development of innovative technologies for vehicles. ... ... "GM selected two companies out of the 13 technical proposals it considered to provide advanced lithium batteries for both range-extender electric and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture. The E-Flex electric vehicle architecture underpins the Chevy Volt concept car shown earlier this year and is being developed as part of GM's strategy to diversify transportation away from petroleum. One contract will go to lithium-ion battery supplier Compact Power, Inc., based in Troy, Mich. CPI is a subsidiary of Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem. A second contract has been awarded to Frankfurt, Germany-based Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental A.G., a tier one automotive supplier that will develop lithium-ion battery packs. GM continues to assess other solutions to quickly bring lithium-ion batteries to production.
These suppliers demonstrated solutions that best met the specific energy, power, mass and durability requirements for the battery in the E-Flex range-extender variant. The battery for the fuel-cell variant requires half the energy and power, but must be integrated and connected to the vehicle in a similar way. " ...
Via GM: Advanced Development Battery Contracts For Chevrolet Volt E-Flex System
May 30, 2007
Sequel Hydrogen Power: Renewable Energy Lifecycle
Chevy Sequel fuel cell vehicle reaches 300 miles without refueling. ...
... "Three hundred miles on the road and the only thing that came out of the tailpipewas pure water. In addition, the hydrogen used to power the Sequel, was derived from hydropower at Niagara Falls - a clean, renewable resource. This means that the entire process - from the creation of the hydrogen to the use of the fuel in the vehicle - was virtually carbon dioxide free. " ...
Via GM FastLane Blog: 300 Miles ... and Counting
March 26, 2007
GM Committed to Chevy Volt Concept
Bob Lutz expresses his committment to the Chevy Volt concept and maintaining a open dialogue on the challenges of development. ...
... "We are 100 percent committed to making this happen. We are invigorated by thechallenge. We are going to continue to be as transparent as we can in this process, knowing that there are some proprietary technology issues we will have to keep veiled. " ...
Via GM FastLane Blog: GM Charging Ahead with Volt
March 23, 2007
GM CO2 Emission 40 by 10 Reduction Goal
General Motors has set a goal to reduce CO2 emissions from its North American manufacturing facilities by 40 percent by 2010. This 40 in 10 program is being set in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program. The Climate Leaders program will develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Partners are encouraged to set
aggressive, corporate-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals, such as GM's 40 by 10. While GM has made progress, it has many opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions. ... ... "GM’s CO2 reductions can be largely attributed to numerous efforts by the company to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, increase the use of renewable resources such as landfill gas and solar power, and optimize efficiencies across all aspects of the manufacturing process. For example, GM is the largest corporate user of landfill gas in the U.S. This effort results in significant reductions of CO2 emissions. Another example is the gold certification that GM's Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant recently earned from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for superior energy and environmental design and construction. Among other things, the facility is expected to save over 30 million kwh of electricity over the first ten years of operations. It is initiatives like these that have helped GM to make real strides in reducing CO2 emissions. " ...Via GM: GM Pledges to Reduce CO2 Emissions by 40 Percent
March 20, 2007
Chevrolet Sequel Concept Discussed
Chevy Sequel discussed by Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, GM Europe Manager of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy, in this video. ...
March 19, 2007
Saturn Aura Hybrid
2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid MSRP will start at $22,695. ...
... "In addition to its value-focused price, the Internal Revenue Service has certified that Aura Green Line buyers will qualify for a tax credit of $1,300. The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highwayrepresents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model (depending on driving conditions). The Aura is assembled at the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City, Kan. and Green Line hybrid models are beginning to arrive at Saturn retail facilities. The hybrid system in the Aura combines sophisticated controls with a precise electric motor / generator mated to a 2.4-liter engine. The system delivers fuel economy gains by providing electric power assist during acceleration, through early fuel cut-off during deceleration with torque smoothing and by shutting the engine off at idle. The system also captures electrical energy through regenerative braking. " ...
Via GM: Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid
January 27, 2007
Hybrid Electric Plug-In: Chevy Volt Video
Chevrolet Volt Concept Demonstration. This video is meant to show how the Volt can be plugged in/out from a standard electrical outlet in a home. ...