President Joe Biden is mulling the idea of replacing his Cadillac presidential limousine, which is colloquially known as ‘The Beast’, with a more eco-friendly, battery-powered state limo.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked by reporters this week if Biden would be open to the idea of electrifying the White House’s vehicle fleet, including the presidential limousine that he was seen riding in during his visit to Ford’s Dearborn HQ this week. Psaki said Biden is not only open to the idea, but that he has outwardly expressed a desire to replace it with a battery-powered alternative in the past.
“That’s certainly something the President has talked about and is an objective for him,” Psaki revealed.
The current Cadillac presidential limousine was introduced under the Trump Administration’s tenure and replaced the Cadillac state car that was active from 2009 to 2018. It’s believed to be powered by a Duramax diesel engine that is closely related to the 6.6L L5P V8 found in GM’s full-size trucks like the Chevy Silverado HD. A diesel engine was allegedly selected as diesel fuel is widely available in almost all countries around the world and is not as volatile as gasoline. The diesel engine is also reliable and has plenty of low-end torque to motivate the immensely heavy limo, which is rumored to weigh over 20,000 lbs.
Since the current Cadillac presidential limousine is a diesel, it’s not possible for it to be converted into an EV. GM mostly likely has the capability to build Biden a new battery-powered version, however, which could utilize its new Ulitum lithium battery system and Ultium Drive electric motors. A high-performance electric powertrain would theoretically have plenty of torque to get The Beast up to speed, though it would also need plenty of electric range in case of emergency situations.
Biden with GM CEO Mary Barra in 2014
The president has also expressed a desire in the past to electrify the entire federal vehicle fleet, which consists of over 645,000 cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. Biden hinted at this goal while on the campaign trail last year, saying his administration would “make a major federal commitment to purchase clean vehicles for federal, state, tribal, postal, and local fleets.” Experts predict that electrifying the entire federal fleet would cost around $20 billion USD.
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Comments
An EV Beast would be awesome, but travels by air from city to city, are we ok flying lithium Ion batteries now?
It would have to travel by air. The roads and interstate will destroy anything less than an army tank. Fix the roads first so I can drive to work then worry about converting the federal government to electric vehicles.
“though it would also need plenty of electric range in case of emergency situations.”
Huh? What are you talking about? That is not a runaway car that the president would trying to shake assassins during a cross country high speed chase. That thing never goes further than 10 miles , they use the presidential chopper for further distances. It gets transported everywhere aboard air force one and used to travel to the meetings with foreign leaders from nearby residence/hotel. Usually they don’t even wait for the offload of it from air force one and send the president with the armored Suburban after landing at the airports.
The Beast does not ride on Air Force One, it rides on a C-17 cargo jet that typically arrives before the president with the contingent of secret service to secure the arrival.
Not true mate. The beast travels further in some situations.
Lol. If there seriously want the beast to increase in size by a factor of 2! Hmm lets see batteries will add more weight. The battery pack will need to be shielded electronically and physically from attack. Motors will need to be able to account for the extra weight. Thus reducing range further. Better EMP protection will be needed too. As an EV is truly a computer on wheels.
This would be better served as a hybrid or better yet mild hybrid. What’s next he will say the M1 abrams replacement will need to be electric too. Somethings just make sense to leave as ICE.
If this came to term during his reign it would be great so they the powers at be can see how much of an inconvenience it is having EVs. They will likely place a beast in every state capitol and on foreign military bases as it would be so tedious charging the thing for such short journeys. But hey I’m not the one pushing for the charge up method of transport.
The beast is already quite heavy, makes the Hummer EV look like, a light weight.
It’s the opposite. Battery buses run at around 400 volts and motors similarly. Internal combustion engines have critical sensors (e.g. CPS, MAF) operating at volts, and actuators (fuel injectors) at 12 volts. So arguably, the power electronics in a EV are inherently more robust, because they have to.
Hybrid/EV electronics are already very well shielded in metal merely so that people don’t get electrocuted or they start a fire in a crash. Compare that to the unshielded wiring you get on an engine.
Transistors that can efficiently run at hundreds of volts without burning up are a major advance in today’s EVs and hybrids versus those of the late 90’s.
Wow. I know how much more heavy my S60 T8 is over my CT4 and the weight certainly shows. As some stated above and we all know, electric vehicles are way heavier. So if the beast is already an asphalt crushing 20,000 lbs or more, what would an all electric one be? You are getting to semi truck weights and they have multiple axles/wheels to disperse the weight. An all electric beast would need more tires! haha.
Biden should pay a weight tax for the road damage his golf cart will cause to roads.
Give Joe a Prius.
Exhibit 87 on why he is awful president focused on the wrong things….
Why can’t Biden focus on spending billions of tax dollars on a border fence that falls over in high wind or spending millions changing the paint scheme on Air Force one like the last guy? Those were all really good things to focus on!
At least Trump tried to bring RESPECT back. unlike obama/biden.
So happy he brought DIGNITY and RESPECT back to the USA.
He was very respectful when he mocked a disabled person, when he paid hush money to a prostitute, and when he boasted about grabbing women by their p***y. Also, when he motorboated giuliani in drag:
come a long way since Dealey Plaza.
too bad biden doesn’t visit dealey plaza in a prius convertible.
Someone floated the idea but it wasn’t Joe. He doesn’t even know what day it is.
OR what planet he’s on!
Oh so my guess is you are the all knowing one. Like the incredible Oz, the man behind the curtain. Are you trying to tell me the the last idiot who left in January was a better choice. That fool was just a total loose cannon and that is just the beginning. Moving on is what we are doing, yes please come join. The past is the past.
Stolen election, hoax virus.
So in your mind, exactly what is it that xiden’s puppet masters have achieved?
Dr. Bob,
More people are giving you a thumbs down than up! You must be a Proctologist? Start by getting your head out of your ass! There’s no hope for you idiotic O’Biden supporters!!!
No matter how it’s powered, that rendering is ghastly looking. The new 2018 car actually looks pretty good for what it is, which is essentially an armored tank. The 2008 car was always hideous too so please let’s not go backward in the design department.
Just give old Joey a Schwinn, put a smile on the old timer!
Dan, that’s WITH “training wheels” AND a helmet to save what little brain he has left!!!
Biden is a senile demented old coot who only understands what his handlers tell him to understand. Electrifying the presidential limo at this point with electronic drive which is in its infancy is ridiculous to say the least. There is little to no infrastructure to support electric vehicles and they are totally impractical and too expensive. GM will pay dearly for rushing into this mess and I predict the Japanese and Koreans will dominate the auto industry in the coming years because they didn’t get so involved with this all electric pipe dream.
Koreans not so involved in Electrification? You been watching Hyundai, and Kia, or Genesis? They are all going EV, How about LG, SK massively expanding their battery production, brother, you must be living under a rock, we are past the naysayers, when companies build good EV’s they sell all that can be built… Do not even mention Bolt, it does not sell well, because its not a great EV, But Audi E-Tron, Porsche Taycan, all the Tesla models sell great, and there is a waiting list for them.
Every automaker on the planet is transitioning to EV, you don’t want one, thats Ok, You can still buy your dinosaur burner, for now.
Japanese? Nissan was a pioneer in the EV space with the Leaf, and is now bringing out several EV’s Honda is doing small Ev’s in china and Europe, and Toyota is also starting to transition. Toyota has been a laggard, but their shareholders are about to oust the CEO if he does not get moving. Toyota will be making big EV moves soon, they have already bought 49% of Panasonics automotive battery division, and the move has started.
A problem here. Gasoline and oil doesn’t come from dinosaurs.
Watch the kid on you tube drive from Austin to Chicago. You won’t even want an EV after that. 32 hours to go 800+ miles!
It could tow an armored battery pack trailer disguised as the wiener mobile.
With all that said don’t you think we should concentrate on the more important things Then trying to change the presidential vehicle the only reason why he wants to do this because Trump built it
Actually President Obama’s administration ordered them. There’s over 12 of them and they are all exactly alike. They are built on the Kodiak Truck Platform. As for Electrical vehicles, u may as well get use to the idea, they are coming. As for the previous comments on President Biden, keep it to ur self., this is about cars. Not all of us want to hear ur ignorance.
You cannot ignore the obvious of where this is going but I get it you don’t like Mr. Trump
This is definitely more important than the gas prices, inflation, commie cold BS. Keep focusing on how racist the roads are, letting morons decide what gender their kids should “identify as” and how the world is gonna end in ten years. That fairy tale is my favorite. For a good laugh go back to the first Earth day around ‘74 or so. We should be underwater 40 years ago at least. Liberal priorities haha
biden hates white people so much he won’t drive a white car.
GM and Tesla should collaborate together on the New Modern Beast.
Tesla will provide the Battery pack from the upcoming Semi, motors, and all the software which are their Three Leading features and GM pretty much does the rest as they do now. Now that would be a Beast and American Made.
I know I will get negative replies but I live in the real world and nobody here can argue that GM has better Battery, Electric Motors, and Software than Tesla. Sandy Monroe still can’t figure out how Tesla makes their Motors so great.
Maybe they should electrify his chair FIRST?
Biden is a senile old imbecile who doesn’t have a clear thought in his ancient head. Put him in a Nissan leaf. He doesn’t have a clue where he is or where he’s going. What an embarrassment that this mediocre career politician ( 0 accomplishments) fell into the White House due to covid and mail in voting.
Actually President Biden is very sharp and has done much more in His first 100 days than the last guy did in 4 years. He’s a good Man, and been through more in His lifetime than most. U must be one of those guys who’s unemployed, watching Fox or newsmax all day. President Biden knows that all China and Russia want is to divide this Country, so it will fail, and people like u have fell for it. Take ur unpatriotic ignorance off this automobile site, and go try and convince somewhere else.
You should start your own late night comedy show.
TomO, if you think Biden is “sharp”, you must be a complete fool! Only an imbecile would say that this idiot is “sharp”! He can’t complete a sentence and is the laughing stock of the world. Dr. Jill(???) should be charged with Elder Abuse!!! With all the THUMBS DOWN you are receiving, I see that you and Joe O’Biden are in the same sinking boat!!!
You don’t know much about the guy. He was a stutter as a kid. He struggles with reading without stuttering. He’s struggled His whole life. He lost His Wife and Two of His Children in a car accident when He was in His 20’s, and overcame that. No, Tony, Iam not a complete fool. He’s a good guy, and got almost 80 million votes in the last election. Yea Ur right, He’s not a kid anymore, but the guys not an old washed up whatever you called Him either. The Man has a lot of wisdom., a good Christian too boot. I honestly think He would like to take thinking the (other side is evil) out of politics in this country, and get back to working for You and Me. I remember when the 2 side’s worked together, were friends with each other, When they didn’t Hate., when Government worked. He does too.
Good Christian? Lol, now that made me laugh out loud! Dude, the guy is a big pro choice/pro abortion guy! People like him is one of the biggest reasons why I don’t go to church anymore, don’t want to sit in the pews with a bunch of hypocrites!
BTW…you do realize that he is not running the country, Kammie Brown and Co. are the ones running it, he is just the face of the puppet that is having his strings pulled.
Have fun sitting on this car site talking politics. I have to go to work., which is what Biden/Harris are doing. There’s no compromise with conspiracy theory people., u guys don’t forget to set ur alarms , Tucker is on Fox @ 8 pm.. lol.
Haha these clowns in the office know as much about work as they do quantum physics. It’s a political articles on an auto enthusiast site. And Motorheads tend to be conservative. Remember 2 masks. Stop the spread. In this together.
Chip shortages with resulting vehicles shortages and artificially higher prices, ever rising energy prices, increases in food prices, building materials, shortages of common everyday items, the border crisis and a country divided like never before and he is worrying about electrifying a handful of presidential limos. Utterly clueless!
All caused by biden and obama.
Love how liberals keep pushing EVs, but fail to mention that our electrical grid would never handle everyone with an EV, not to mention that the majority of electricity is produced by fossil fuels!
No it’s because they have no knowledge of how things work. They are pseudo intellectuals from politics or academia. Never had a real job, or any interest in whether or not something is practical. They use “feelings and emotion” to make decisions instead of logic and facts. And the results speak for themselves.
Shhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah 80 million fraudulent votes
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He’s just trying to firm up his support from the green types. Perhaps a hybrid would work but BEV’s are too new to really be proven. But then again MCI has an all electric version of the J4500 so the weight of the beast could be handled by those motors. Time will tell but for now it’s best to stick with what works now.