GM to Add Over 20 New Electric, Fuel Cell Cars to Lineup by 2023

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Earlier today, General Motors announced it will introduce two new all-electric vehicles within the next 18 months, kicking off a push of at least 20 forthcoming EVs by 2023. At a press conference in Detroit, GM’s executive vice president of global product development, Mark Reuss, said the company is absolutely “committed to an all-electric future,” but stated “that future won’t happen overnight, GM is committed to driving increased usage and acceptance of electric vehicles through no-compromise solutions that meet our customers’ needs.”

At the event, Reuss said the claims were the real deal. “These aren’t just words in a war of press releases,” he said. “We are far along in our plan to lead the way to that future world.”

Did you hear that, every other automaker that has claimed something identical in the last 12 months? General Motors is actually serious about all of this electric mobility talk.

We know it takes hard work and a clear vision to achieve an EV-focused and pollution-free utopia. That’s why it was a little surprising to hear GM had also renewed its commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology. With the notable exception of some portions of Japan, hydrogen-powered cars have limited applications and aren’t particularly environmentally friendly. That would change, of course, if an expansive fueling infrastructure was constructed and hydrogen production used renewable energy sources. But why wouldn’t you just charge your car directly off the grid if that were the case?

General Motors is already doing well with “non-traditional” powertrains without having a hydrogen-driven dead end in the lineup. Chevrolet’s Bolt is a standout among its electrified rivals — providing superior electric range and performance at a more reasonable price than others. It was a legitimate leap forward.

The company says it’s going to take what is has learned from the Bolt and apply it to the forthcoming models. Those first two are also likely to share some of its components. However, GM also previewed a new battery system on Monday at its Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, which it says will go into subsequent models. Detailed specs on this system are nonexistent, but Automotive News reports GM’s Brownstown Battery Assembly plant south of Detroit will start producing a fuel cell system in 2020.

“Whatever we do, from an electrification stand point, the next version will be better than the version we have on the road,” Reuss said. “That vision involves everything that we’ve learned from the Bolt, but the architecture piece of this continues to evolve.”

The executive specified GM’s “vision” includes flexible battery packs and fuel cell technology. But, unless General Motors knows something we do not about future energy sources, vehicle sales, and fueling networks, we’re having a hard time taking this assertion terribly seriously.

Wrapping last month, Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s London Future of Energy Summit saw numerous members insulting hydrogen-powered cars. Although the best of the bunch came via BNEF member Colin Mckerracher:

Passenger electric vehicle sales vs fuel cell vehicle sales. Shown to scale. pic.twitter.com/enG49WeQfk

— Colin Mckerracher (@colinmckerrache) September 19, 2017

GM and Honda have been collaborating on hydrogen fuel cell tech since 2013. The company has also worked with the United States Army on a hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Colorado truck. The $4 million project aims to look at the potential advantages of a silent-running land vehicle (and if the application is actually viable).

Similarly, General Motors used Monday’s event to showcase a new concept vehicle called the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure (SURUS). The model is a fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck with four-wheel steering that’s driven by two electric motors. Reuss said GM’s hydrogen-powered cars will likely lean toward commercial applications, like delivery trucks or ambulances.

Everything else remains in the preliminary stages of development. Three clay models exist of vehicles destined for GM’s next-generation propulsion system. They included a Buick crossover, Cadillac station wagon and a futuristic pod-vehicle presumed to be the next generation Bolt.

“These three vehicles demonstrate why that height difference is important,” said Reuss. “You can do different H-points, you can do different roof lines and you can do different range capabilities and different performance.”

Another six concealed vehicles surrounded the modern-day Chevy Bolt on stage, signifying its extremely important role in their hypothetical development — and GM’s electrified future.

In August, Chevrolet sold 2,107 Bolts in the United States — making it the best month for the little EV so far. The brand also sold 28,245 gas-powered Equinox SUVs in the same timeframe.

[Image: General Motors]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Zip89123 Zip89123 on Oct 02, 2017

    What's that sucking sound? It's Ford & GM cash going buh-bye and bankruptcy on the horizon.

  • DeadWeight DeadWeight on Oct 02, 2017

    Tesla fanbois (and they are like Scientologists, but more zealous and vengeful) will hate to hear this, but Tesla will be Bankrupt within 2 years - max.

    • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Oct 04, 2017

      GM won't be much further behind on Bankruptcy on this path. I'm predicting it by 2023 when this fantastical rollout of 20 more fully electric vehicles is supposed to occur. Unless gas shoots up to 5-6 bucks per gallon in the states I see little change in consumer preference on EV's vs gas vehicles and SUV/CUV's and pickup trucks in 5 short years time. Then there is the huge elephant in the room. Who in the hell is going to be able to afford this crap? It's hard enough for most average shoppers to swing payments for today's 30-45K average car, CUV/SUV price tags. I do not see EV's, especially the size of today's trucks and SUV's being priced anywhere near 45K plus

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