The powertrain (or propulsion, at General Motors) arena is a diverse one these days. Today, automakers offer internal-combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully battery-electric vehicles.
Where and when is it best to focus on each segment? GM vice president of global propulsion systems, Dan Nicholson, joined Autoline to discuss what the automaker is doing now and what it plans to do in the future to prepare for a day when the internal-combustion engines reaches retirement.
GM’s overarching goal, part of its zero crashes and zero congestion strategy, is also zero emissions. One day, GM plans to only build cars without tailpipe emissions, though it’s unclear just when that will be. As long as buyers scoop up V8-powered pickups, that day is likely far ahead.
But, to help squeeze efficiency from engine today, GM has introduced its latest Dynamic Fuel Management system. The system debuts with the 2019 Silverado and 2019 Sierra‘s V8 engines. Lightweighting is also a major focus to increase fuel economy at GM.
In the future, battery-electric powertrains and fuel cells will become of more importance. Nicholson says it’s unclear when the internal-combustion engine will meet its demise, but various countries around the world already have plans in place to ban the propulsion method in the coming decades. At GM, he says, the company must be prepared.
Comments
thanks for a great video. We love our lifted ’13 Volt But I am hoping for a much faster progression of clean tech than outlined here – and don’t get me started on free energy, as in zero point.
Either lead or follow…..
Not to worry, Elon will show you where to go.
Musk is just a few more outbursts away from a pillow lined vacation.
Elon is a follower, even coping GM’s “skateboard” concept for future vehicles.
They will. New Gen modular, compact batteries, new electric dive train/chassis’s, Faster charge batterie’s( BEV), New hydrogen fuel cells electric drive train. They ( Gm) is not these one’s that wanted V8’s/ICE’s.
I hope GM continues to offer extended range electric propulsion like the Volt In future models. IMHO it is the best way to reduce green house gases because it offers the consumer a way to drive 90% of the time all electric and it while eliminating the hassle of finding charging on long drives. Not only it is good for the environment, it is also fun to drive and cheap to operate.