General Motors to End Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales in United States by 2035
The Detroit automaker is already working towards an all-electric fleet, with plans to have 30 electric models on the market by mid-decade.
General Motors plans to stop selling gas-powered vehicles in the U.S. in just 14 years’ time, by 2035. The automaker says the move will be a step towards its goal of being carbon neutral by 2040.
It also represents a reconfirmation of direction for the company, as General Motors continues to shift away from its previous support of the Trump administration’s California emissions standards rollback.
“China is already General Motors’ largest market and they know that market is going electric very quickly.” — Paul Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau
Paul Eisenstein is the publisher of automotive website The Detroit Bureau. He says the initiative is a reflection of the Detroit company’s place in the global market.
“China is already General Motors’ largest market, and they know that market is going electric very quickly,” says Eisenstein. “So they’re really going to need, as much as anything, to meet expectations in China as they will here in the United States.
The automaker’s pledge comes as the industry faces a global shortage of microchips — a crucial component in electric vehicles. General Motors did announce a deal that will see U.S.-based company, Qualcomm, supply chips for its next-gen fleet earlier this week.
Eisenstein says GM is already working towards electrifying its roster. He says it plans to introduce 30 all-electric models by the middle of the decade.
“It’s really going to be some of the fringe vehicles, some of the niche products like the Corvette and some of the highest performance, heaviest duty versions of their trucks that they’re really going to have to be working on,” says Eisenstein.
Eisenstein says performance cars, such as the Chevrolet Corvette, could benefit the most from a transition to electrification. He says electric motors are capable of generating more power and torque than standard, combustion engines.
Click on the player above to hear The Detroit Bureau’s Paul Eisenstein discuss General Motors’ shift towards all-electric vehicles.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date
WDET is here to keep you informed on essential information, news and resources related to COVID-19.
This is a stressful, insecure time for many. So it’s more important than ever for you, our listeners and readers, who are able to donate to keep supporting WDET’s mission. Please make a gift today.
