General Motors Goes Electric

 General Motors Goes Electric

General Motors announced yesterday it would transition much of its fleet to vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. The target, which would shift the vast majority of GM's fleet to all-electric within 15 years, is one of the most aggressive plans announced by traditional auto manufacturers to date.

Electric vehicles represent one of the fastest-growing sectors of the auto industry, but still represent just 3% of the total cars sold each year worldwide. Some estimates have the market penetration of electric vehicles passing 40% by 2035, and GM's announcement follows heavy investment into its Ultium battery technology. 

Zero tailpipe emissions only refer to air pollutants and greenhouse gases arising from the operation of the car itself. Well-to-wheel emissions include the production and processing of the fuel, while lifecycle emissions include contributions from the manufacture of the whole car. GM further pledged to be wholly carbon neutral as a company by 2040.