General Motors laid out its future forward with 23 new electric cars coming by 2023. Two will arrive in the next 18 months. Although the announcement didn’t explicitly single out any market, China will be more important than ever.
The country will impose strict electric-car regulations that call for a certain percentage of vehicle sales to include electrified cars. Those start as early as 2019 and ramp up from in 2020 and so on. GM called China a “frontline” for electric cars and noted its vast knowledge that stems from real-world miles driven by the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV.
“Globally, but especially here in China, car companies are shifting and new companies emerging with a focus on electrified products,” said Jennifer Goforth, GM China chief engineer of Electrification. “Our industry cannot get to zero emissions overnight. It will require testing components, suppliers and systems, and proving their worth in the real world and in the hands of customers.”
The knowledge gained will help GM deploy electric cars at a quicker rate, especially in China.
Aside from its battery lab in North America, GM operates a related lab in Shanghai. The lab will become even more important locally as the market shifts from gasoline-powered cars to all-electric vehicles.
Comments
So we will soon see the expected Buick version of the Chevy Bolt EV for the China market.
Raymond, this is James from over at GM-Volt. SO GLAD to see you posting!
PR got hit pretty badly by the second hurricane, we haven’t seen you on forums or around. Everyone has been asking how you were.
Been wondering how we can help and how you fared through and after the storms. We last saw you in forums just after storm #1. How long were you without power?
Thank you, GM for having the guts to bring on decent electric cars. This is long overdue. I bought a Chev Bolt and am glad I did. When I see a gas guzzler now, I wonder how these people can afford these beasts. Thank you again GM. Jim Chownyk