Advanced Propulsion and Alternative Fuels

GM's Advanced Propulsion and Fuels Technology Strategy

GM is making strong progress towards our objective of removing the car from the energy and environmental equation.

GM has a long term strategy to cut CO2 emissions across its whole product range. For GM, energy diversity and alternative propulsion technologies that improve fuel economy and reduce emissions are key to developing sustainable transportation.

To deliver on this overarching objective, GM has a clear and comprehensive strategy for the development of alternative fuels and advanced propulsion systems, encompassing short, medium and long term objectives

In the short term, we are looking at technologies which bring further refinements to the conventional internal combustion engine

In the short to medium term, GM views biofuels as a consumer-friendly, and cost-effective means of reducing CO2 from the cars it sells. Also in the medium term, we are investing in plug-in hybrid technologies. And for the long term, GM is investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology, producing vehicles which emit only water vapour at the tailpipe, thereby removing the automobile from the environmental equation.

Vehicle manufacturers have a lead responsibility for developing and bringing forward to market new technologies, improving safety, meeting customers demands all at an affordable price. Car makers, such as GM take this responsibility seriously but we can't do this alone.

CO2 emissions from cars are the result of many complex choices that individual consumers make: which car to buy, whether to take public transport, whether to drive aggressively or in a more eco-friendly manner, etc. The integrated approach to CO2 emission reductions, engaging vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers, public authorities and customers, requires a policy framework that engages consumers as well as giving attention to road infrastructure to ease congestion and smooth road traffic flows.

For more information on GM's advanced propulsion/fuel technologies strategy please Download a PDF to read more

Hydrogen

GM is leading the industry in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, where we have already invested more than Billion in research and development. GM aims to design and validate an automotive competitive fuel cell propulsion system by 2010 and to be the first vehicle manufacturer in the world to produce and sell 1 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology offers diversification in the sources of energy used which helps improve energy independence. Hydrogen provides an excellent environmentally friendly fuel source emitting only water vapour from the tailpipe. It can also be sourced from a variety of renewable energy sources such as, wind, solar, biofuels, etc. Compared to a conventional internal combustion engine, Hydrogen fuel cell technology improves energy efficiency by around 50%.

E-flex

As part of its medium term strategy, GM has developed a new range of plug-in battery powered electric vehicles that use a conventional combustion engine to create additional electricity. The E-flex System enables a number of different propulsion systems to fit into a common chassis. For example, the E-flex System can produce electricity from petrol, ethanol, bio-diesel or hydrogen.

A prototype car has been developed which uses a large battery and a small, 1L turbocharged petrol engine to produce enough electricity to go up to 640 miles and provide triple-digit fuel economy. The prototype car can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for around six hours each day.

Drivers living within 30 miles of their work and charging their vehicle from mains electricity each night will achieve fuel economy of 150 miles per gallon. Work is ongoing to improve the durability and reliability of the large lithium-ion battery. Experts believe that such a battery could be production-ready between 2010 and 2012.

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