GM has big plans in the EV space, with just a few of The General’s stated goals including the launch of 30 new all-electric models globally by 2025 and the complete electrification of its light-duty vehicle lineup by 2035. GM also hopes to become the number-one electric vehicle maker in North America. However, GM has some catching up to do before it can claim that number-one spot, per a recent study.
According to a new report from The International Council on Clean Transportation, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit known for its role in investigating Volkswagen in the lead-up to the Dieselgate scandal, GM ranks middle of the pack among 20 major automakers studied with regard to the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The group looked at new light-duty vehicle sales for the 2022 calendar year, and created ten metrics in which to evaluate each of the 20 individual automakers. These metrics are broken down into three broad categories, including Market Dominance (ZEV sales share, ZEV class coverage), Technology Performance (energy consumption, charging speed, driving range, renewable energy, battery recycle / repurpose), and Strategic Vision (ZEV target, ZEV investment, executive compensation).
The study also awarded each automaker an overall score for the 2022 calendar year, with a higher score indicating a more effective EV transition. GM scored 45 points in the overall 2022 rating, while Tesla was at the top of the ranking with 83 points. BYD was second with 73 points, rounding out the “Leaders,” while GM was mid-pack among “Transitioners.” The bottom of the rankings, or “Laggards,” were primarily occupied by the big Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan.
GM’s highest metric scores included driving range (78 points), battery recycle / repurpose (99 points), and ZEV target (96 points). Its lowest scores included ZEV sales share (2 points), ZEV class coverage (38 points), charging speed (31 points), renewable energy (0 points), and ZEV investment (36 points).
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GM had the lead when they release the Impact or GM1 in the 1990s, yet they dropped the EV ball when they recalled every car and did not do another until the Chevy Volt in 2009. So GM was about ten years behind. Ford leaped ahead with the electric Focus, following up with the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and the E-Transit.
I would not call Ford ahead as they are about to do what GM has planned for the last 3 years are so….a common platform and battery pack. Ford is just now thinking about it and until their GEN 2 comes out all those who bought the machs and lightenings will wake up to see limited support of those they just bought a few years for now. But GM is taking way too long to get the cars/EVs out the door in larger volumes IMHO. I have already waited nearly 3 years and if something does not come soon, I will go elsewhere. Just because the Equniox and Blazer are announced and coming supposedly it does not mean in any significant numbers and could be another year or so before any volume of significance is available. Ug.
What you say and what you do are two different things. Reality is still king, and the reality is… CUSTOMERS are content to remain loyal to internal combustion, as the list of advantages over EV remains LONG.
Genuinely curious… what’s on that list? I own both and I can think of one advantage.
Everyone criticized Marry for not leading the charge on EV Sales fast enough, in terms of gm not losing its customer base in terms when it comes to Corvette and Pickup Truck sales especially, simply eliminating ICE vehicles by 2035 is not a wise move especially, when Congress scaled back additional EPA stringent measures that would further do away with many current jobs associated with the ICE sector even when it comes to those working under Parts and other crucial Supplies fo those vehicles.
Trying to attract customers that may or may not exist while alienating the dwindling customers they currently have.
For over a year, Cadillac has been promising delivery of the Cadillac Lyriq. We made a deposit a year ago, and still haven’t received delivery or any concrete information regarding it’s build. You can’t dominate in the EV market without a vehicle that can be delivered. So very disappointed.
GM is going to discontinue its best selling EV, the Bolt. That doesn’t look like leadership in the EV market segment.
They sh ould have migrated to BEV3 and Ultium!
I wonder who will get all of GM’s ICE customers by 2035?
Dropping the Bolt which was selling so well as the only American built EV in its price range will surely diminish GM’s ranking on that list.
Survey after survey has shown that price is holding buyers back from going electric. Moving to only bigger, more expensive vehicles seems very counterproductive.
GM keeps dropping perfectly fine models….
I’ve had several discontinued models such as the First Generation 2011-2015 VOLT, Second Generation 2016-2019 Volt (which I still have), and the 2014-2016 Caddy ELR, which I just traded in for a Caddy LYRIQ. I skipped over the Caddy CT6-plug-in since I didn’t like the Rube Goldberg excessively complicated drive train, and smallish trunk housing the propulsion battery.
GM even discontinues fine ICE only models such as the Chevy Impala, and the perfectly fine ICE only Caddy CT6.
AT my Large GMC/CADILLAC dealership in WNY, Six people ordered a LYRIQ, me included, on May 18-19, 2022. On Shipment Arrival Day, 4/28/23 I asked where are the other 5 buyers? My Sales Manager said “the others ordered the 4WD model which isn’t made yet”.
The Bolt is still being produced this year, so it won’t affect the next rating at all.
But looking at the categories, which is the Bolt actually a positive for?
ZEV sales share – Sure. In 2022, certainly, when it was ~ 38k of the ~ 39k EVs that GM sold. In 2023, even, when it is expected to be about 80k of the projected 150k sales. But in the post-Bolt world of 2024 they are projecting 250k sales in the first half of the year.
ZEV class coverage – I mean, yeah, a couple. GM hasn’t announced a replacement subcompact hatchback or SUV, but GM will still have a huge advantage over the competition here with the vehicles coming to market over the next two years.
energy consumption – With the number of larger vehicles GM is introducing, this is a category where the Bolt probably helps out. The big question is how efficient their smaller vehicles (e.g. the Equinox) turn out to be, and what the relative production volume will be.
charging speed – This is where the Bolt is a huge drag on their score (and will presumably continue to be in the 2023 rankings).
driving range – The Bolt does pretty well here, but the newly introduced models have even longer range (in some cases drastically longer, as with the Silverado work truck trims).
renewable energy – This really has nothing to do with the Bolt. (Though GM did announce a large number of investments and moved up a lot of target dates, so this will likely improve).
battery recycle / repurpose – Also not dependent on the Bolt. (And again, GM has expanded their partnership with Li-Cycle and recently invested in the recycling firm Lithion).
ZEV target – The production targets for Ultium vehicles are drastically higher than for the Bolt.
ZEV investment – Constructing new facilities to produce Ultium battieres, components and vehicles is driving far more investment than continuing to pump out Bolts on existing assembly lines ever would.
executive compensation – Really has nothing to do with the Bolt either.
LOL, well yeah, they keep bringing out the high $ stuff rather than affordable for the masses things.
Trying to be the leader in ev transitioning is like trying to be first in line to jump off a cliff. Take notice, our Japanese counter parts are lagging yet for the most part have made some of the longest lasting engines, cars and trucks for decades. Should make a lot folks go hmmmm.
I don’t enjoy pushing the narrative of evs are bad, i understand they potentially have their own place. Yet i cant walk away from the idea that putting our transportation needs on our power grid. Does anyone truly realize what happens if our power grid goes down? I wasn’t a fan of making ethanol simply because we used a food source for fuel. Now imagine we rely on our power grid for our transportation needs, we have become spoiled in the fact that our power grid is pretty much reliable, yet we keep putting more demands on it. Now i realize that improvements could and will be made, yet in the same breath if our power grid were to go down does anyone realize what could happen? We are so dependent on electricity for our everyday needs and adding our transportation to that in my opinion is asinine at best. Within one year of no power grid 90% of our population will die. Thats not my opinion that’s googles which is pushing the narrative that climate change is real and not a hoax, so those numbers could actually be way worse. Does anyone really think more demand our electrical grid is a good idea?
Well Mechanic Bill. Yeah I think small additions to grid load, particularly over the midnight hours so that it is more productively utilized is a good thing since it will lower expenses / kwh and increase the life of central stations due to reduced stresses on Steam Turbines by maintaining larger average loads over the full day.
That’s an inside baseball explanation true, but as far as the other stuff goes there is no problem with Climate Change… Basically, the Earth takes care of people, not the other way around…
As far as ‘Grid Problems’ go, the basic problem in my area is that they have shuddered 3 large coal-fired plants by NY State directive (‘spelled Wokeness’). AND my state wants to basically eliminate almost all Natural Gas, and propane hookups. In this COLD state that will greatly increase electricity usage (since there’s nothing left – you can’t burn coal or wood either here), meanwhile we will dearly miss our 3 big coal plants and the only reason we haven’t had a problem yet is all the factories have moved to first Japan, then China, and now Indochina.
Electric cars are a very minor issue – although I feel it is a colossal mistake to prematurely get rid of gasoline or #2 Fuel Oil (‘Diesel’) before its time.
The problem with Liberal Thought is that they DON’T CARE if they are unsuccessful or ruin things for the average person… They consider it a success since they give themselves brownie points for “At Least We Tried”.
My concern is whether or not GM has the capacity to be the leader. So far, there has been lots of promise, but only scant execution. Makes me wonder what all is holding things back. Is GM first trying to build up its capabilities and supply lines for things like batteries before they go all out in battling Tesla? Is the top brass at GM simply unconvinced that pushing harder now will pay off for GM, that such increased efforts will merely pave the way for the benefit of other manufacturers?
Wow Jonathan, you’ve chosen a rather interesting title for your article. Maybe it should read something along the lines of “GM ranks 3rd in EV transition per non profit”. It would be far more accurate.
Here’s a recommendation for an article for you. Use your GM resources to understand where GM sales stand as compared to where they wanted to be. Many fans feel they’re way behind and recent rollouts are a complete failure. Ask GM if that’s an accurate descriptor and what’s causing the delay.
Help set some expectations for your readers based on company goals and if GM still thinks they can overcome Tesla in 2025 in EV sales.