General Motors has already committed to an all-electric vehicle future. Models like the Chevrolet Bolt, GMC Hummer EV, and Cadillac Lyriq are only the beginning. The Detroit-based automaker is also pursuing a carbon-neutral commitment as it intends to source 100 percent renewable energy in the US. Originally, that goal was intended to happen no later than 2030. GM has just announced it is accelerating its renewable energy plan by five years and 25 years ahead of its initial target set back in 2016. By 2025, GM will achieve 100 percent renewable energy.
"We know climate action is a priority and every company must push itself to decarbonize further and faster," said GM Chief Sustainability Officer Kristen Siemen.
"That's what we are doing by aiming to achieve 100 percent renewable energy five years earlier in the U.S. as we continue to advance on our commitment to lead an all-electric, carbon-neutral future." Decarbonizing its portfolio is no easy task but it's clearly doable. Four pillars are now the focus: increasing energy efficiency, sourcing renewables, addressing intermittency, and policy advocacy.
The company is also teaming up with PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization, and a technology-enabled energy company called TimberRock, in order to track real-time carbon emissions at all GM facilities.
If all goes well internally, GM wants to expand this to track carbon emissions associated with privately-owned EVs though we could see how this might enrage privacy advocates. Lastly, GM has signed on as a participant in Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, an initiative that brings together public and private sector groups to push the commercialization of environmentally-friendly technologies.
GM previously established a $25 million Climate Equity Fund that supports "grassroots and community organizations that are working on the front lines of climate justice," according to the press release. A $35 billion investment is now underway in electric and autonomous vehicles as GM plans to launch over 30 EVs globally by 2025.