Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, Chevrolet, GM, USA



General Motors is planning to be twice as nice to the environment four years from now when it comes to producing high-MPG vehicles. The US automaker recently spelled out its green goals in its sustainability report and notably predicted that it would double the number of vehicles it makes that get at least 40 miles per gallon (highway) by 2017. That means boosting production of extended-range plug-ins like the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR as well as increasing sales of the Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze Eco and Diesel, and Chevrolet Spark EV. In all, GM says it will have a half-million hybrids, extended-range plug-ins and electric vehicles (including those with eAssist) on US roads by 2017, while its fleet will have cut its CO2 emissions by 15 percent by 2016.

GM is also trying to boost its green production cred by increasing the number of recyclable materials while boosting the use of solar and biomass energy and reducing waste. Already, the General has cut its factory carbon footprint by 5.3 percent since 2010.

GM lost a bit of momentum this year when it comes to boosting green-car sales. Through June, company green car sales basically tread water, with EV, extended-range plug-in, hybrid and mild hybrid sales up just 1.4 percent from a year earlier. That year-over-year growth rate slowed from 14 percent at the end of the first quarter. You can find GM's press release below and check out a copy of its sustainability report here (PDF).Continue reading GM ready to double production of vehicles that get 40+ mpg

GM ready to double production of vehicles that get 40+ mpg originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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