GM’s $27B plan: 450-mile range, affordable models among 30 EVs by 2025

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https://www.greencarreports.com/new...-range-affordable-models-among-30-evs-by-2025
GM’s $27B plan: 450-mile range, affordable models among 30 EVs by 2025
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BENGT HALVORSON NOVEMBER 19, 2020

With ranges up to 450 miles and the potential for vehicles costing less than $35,000 in the electric vehicle mix by the middle of the decade, GM’s numbers surrounding its widely broadcast all-electric future have suddenly become better in several respects.

Ahead of a presentation to be delivered with CEO Mary Barra Thursday at Barclays Global Automotive Conference, Doug Parks, GM's executive VP for product development, purchasing, and the supply chain, explained why the company is upping its intended 2020-2025 investment in all aspects of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles to $27 billion, from $20 billion announced last March.

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General Motors' BEV3 platform and Ultium batteries

According to Parks, the company has pulled a number of EV programs ahead versus even earlier in the year—like the Cadillac Lyriq, as well as some models not yet shown—and it’s made continued investments in further development of its battery chemistry.

“Building your own cell is priceless,” he said, underscoring that without its own battery development and the joint venture with LG Chem, called Ultium Cells LLC, it wouldn’t be able to plan profitable, more affordable vehicles in the near future.

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Possible electric Chevrolet Camaro in GM Ultium teaser video

A company release accompanying the stepped-up plan stated that it now plans “EVs at all price points for work, adventure, performance, and family use.”
That includes models priced right in the heart of the market, in the $35,000 range, and perhaps below, Parks hinted, responding to questions about how low that means. “We'll certainly be in the high-volume segments,” he said. “And then as that cost comes down we’ll continue to drive that even farther.”

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GM Ultium battery

Parks again emphasized that a single-cell strategy—and realizing economies of scale with it—makes that possible. GM can configure the same large-format pouch cells used in all of its future Ultium-powered electric vehicles horizontally or vertically into modules, with single- or double-layer packs and the potential—as in the Hummer EV—for 800-volt charging. GM is now anticipating to get to cost parity with internal combustion vehicles soon after the launch of the Ultium vehicles, which is set to start next fall with the release of the Hummer EV. Ultium packs, by the kilowatt-hour, will cost 60% less than today’s packs, with twice the energy density, by the middle of the decade. A 40% drop in cost will be realized right off the starting line, according to Parks, with the launch of the Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq.

Because of incremental propulsion developments, GM can now claim a range of 450 miles for that top battery of more than 200 kwh, although not necessarily in the bulky Hummer EV.

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2022 GMC Hummer EV
Counting on those economies of scale for batteries, GM now says that it plans to launch 30 different new global EV models, with 20 of those available in North America. Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick will be represented in the product rollouts.

That consists of three other GMC variants, including another EV pickup; four Chevrolet EVs, including a pickup (above, and styled somewhat like the Avalanche, as we've noted before) and compact crossover; and four new Cadillacs. A slide notes an especially shortened timeline for a second GMC electric pickup and a Chevrolet compact crossover.

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GM EVs pulled ahead - November 2020

GM is already running durability testing on its “nex-gen Ultium” cells that would be phased in around the middle of the decade in a wide range of vehicles already in production. The cells will help GM meet affordability targets with fewer cells needed for the range people expect.

Parks pointed particularly to an affordably priced C-segment crossover, somewhat like the Chevrolet Equinox, but with a different mission. "As we get volume on that C segment SUV, and we get volume on ourselves, and we get the new chemistry, by mid decade that continues to create our ability to offer vehicles at lower and lower prices.”

GM still plans on a million EVs by mid-decade. “There will be additional battery volume cell volume required, so we’re already planning for that,” Parks said, confirming that will eventually require expanded capacity at the Ohio battery plant.
 

trutolife27

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Yes, read this yesterday a good read.. What happens with the EV market was more of a cause and effect of the economic downfall back in 2008. The automakers were looking into the EV market but couldn't take a risk after what happened.
Staying afloat for many was what mattered. Then here comes Elon with his money and backing and really had no one in his way. Hats off for making the move at the right time.

Now everyone is jumping on board and it is a great time for EV fans. Just hope we can get this covid over and out of the way so it doesn't keep making a major impact.

Remember small business. Food places and shops. They need us now more than ever.
 

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As much as I applaud GM for announcing this. They still only have ONE EV for sale. I want to see if they come through with the second one, the Bolt EUV. The Lyric and Hummer are going to be priced out of the range of most people.

I guess the new Year of the EV will be 2025 when electric vehicles will be on par with their ICE equivalents in price according to GM and other experts. We'll see. I thought back in 2018 by 2021 I would have a large choice in EV models to choose from. Turns out in my area of upstate NY, there is only one I could go to a dealership and buy today, a Hyundai Ioniq EV Limited. I sure hope Ford, VW, GM and a lot of start ups can come through over the next five years. Plus, I hope Hyundai and Kia can get more dealers on board to sell their announced expanded line of EV's.
 
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malba2366

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[/QUOTE]
Yes, read this yesterday a good read.. What happens with the EV market was more of a cause and effect of the economic downfall back in 2008. The automakers were looking into the EV market but couldn't take a risk after what happened.
Staying afloat for many was what mattered. Then here comes Elon with his money and backing and really had no one in his way. Hats off for making the move at the right time.

Now everyone is jumping on board and it is a great time for EV fans. Just hope we can get this covid over and out of the way so it doesn't keep making a major impact.

Remember small business. Food places and shops. They need us now more than ever.
A lot of what GM is doing is blowing smoke for investors. Their statements are way too ambitious, considering they do not yet have even one compelling EV (that is not a compliance car) on the market. EVs will remain premium priced at least until the end of the decade which is when battery prices are expected to reach $70/kwh...that is the point where the prices are close enough in key segments (small/midsize crossover, midsize sedan) to make EVs a viable alternative in the mass market which is much more cost sensitive than the premium market (where all compelling EVs currently sell whether or not they wear a "luxury" nameplate).
 
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Then here comes Elon with his money and backing and really had no one in his way. Hats off for making the move at the right time.
All the established manufacturers were bringing out "green econoboxes" to appeal to Prius owners. Elon was smart enough to bring out performance/luxury vehicles that appealed to MB/BMW/Audi owners. So glad that Ford figured out which approach works.

As much as I applaud GM for announcing this. They still only have ONE EV for sale. I want to see if they come through with the second one, the Bolt EUV. The Lyric and Hummer are going to be priced out of the range of most people.
GM ran through their tax credits not long after Tesla did. Ford and every other manufacturer still has some remaining. What does that tell you about which manufacturers are serious?

Plenty to criticize GM about, first and foremost starting with siding with the Trump Administration in trying to kill the CARB mandates. (No idea why some people still have jobs at GM). But being out front with EV technology isn't one of them.
 


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Best wishes to GM. I hope they learned from earlier electric ventures that it isn't enough to build a car that simply checks the boxes. Emotion and ownership experience still matters. Come on GM! Show us what you can do and put your heart into it!

Competition is fun. Bring it! :)
 

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A lot of what GM is doing is blowing smoke for investors. Their statements are way too ambitious, considering they do not yet have even one compelling EV (that is not a compliance car) on the market.
Note the use of the term "EV" and not "BEV". Methinks the only way they meet those targets is with hybrids, and knowing GM half of them will be mild hybrids at that. It's highly unlikely they get more than half a dozen full BEVs on the market in less than 5 years.
 

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With ranges up to 450 miles and the potential for vehicles costing less than $35,000 in the electric vehicle mix by the middle of the decade, GM’s numbers surrounding its widely broadcast all-electric future have suddenly become better in several respects.
Those are some lofty claims. While I hope they can deliver, the jury is still out.

It's all about the batteries. The rest is pretty routine for major automakers. Battery cost and energy density (and charging time) will dictate when can really be built to meet practical targets consumers will buy. Building their own batteries may help shave some cost (IF they get them right... it'll cost them dearly if they don't get it right). But whether the needed energy density improvements and charging time improvements will be the hingepins. And clearly they're not there yet (thus still talking 5 years away). 5 could become 7 could become 9.

But I do hope batteries improve that quickly. If GM figures it out, so will the others.
 

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GM can now claim a range of 450 miles for that top battery of more than 200 kwh
So 2.25 miles/kWh. Not sure what vehicle weight and aerodynamics they're talking about. That's actually poor for something like the Mach-E, but I assume they're talking something bigger.
 

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GM: New batteries cut electric car costs, increase range

Ford Mustang Mach-E GM’s $27B plan: 450-mile range, affordable models among 30 EVs by 2025 gm-evs-pulled-ahead--november-2020_100770532_l



This Oct. 16, 2019, file photo shows a sign at a General Motors facility in Langhorne, Pa. On Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, General Motors says a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry will cut the price of its electric vehicles so they equal those powered by gasoline within five years. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)


4:56 AM, Nov 20, 2020
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry will cut the price of its electric vehicles so they equal those powered by gasoline within five years. The technology also will increase the range per charge to as much as 450 miles.
The company’s product development chief promised a small electric SUV that will cost less than $30,000 and pledged to roll out 30 battery-powered models worldwide by 2025. Nearly all current electric vehicles cost more than $30,000.
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The announcement Thursday shows how fast electric vehicle technology is evolving and how it may become the primary fuel for transportation sooner than almost anyone believed.
The GM announcement is among a series of recent tipping points from internal combustion vehicles to electric, Guidehouse Insights Principal Analyst Sam Abuelsamid said. Ford and Fiat Chrysler recently announced plans to build electric vehicles and components at Canadian factories, and Volkswagen, the world’s top-selling automaker, is increasing its EV spending and models. “There’s going to be a lot more EVs coming,” he said.


The challenge for automakers and startups has always been balancing range against battery costs, and GM appears to have gone beyond that, Abuelsamid said.
“What we’re seeing now is that they’re confident enough on their costs that they think they can offer those 300-to-400 mile range vehicles, and the upfront cost is similar to internal combustion vehicles,” Abuelsamid said.

The developments arrive as government pollution regulations tighten worldwide, with California and the United Kingdom recently announcing plans to ban gas-powered new vehicle sales in 10 to 15 years. President-elect Joe Biden is likely to restore government fuel economy regulations that have been rolled back by President Donald Trump, with Biden vowing to spend billions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. GM supported the rollback.


“If you look at all the forecasts the estimates, generally, the demand is kind of potentially being forecast to pick up,” said Doug Parks, GM executive vice president of product development. “We think the industry is transforming, and so we want to be at the leading edge of this.”
The company also wants to supplant Tesla as the global electric vehicle leader, saying it has done great things and was able to get the jump on GM and other traditional automakers.
To back up its claims, GM said it will raise spending on electric vehicles from a promised $20 billion, to more than $27 billion through 2025.

The new battery cell chemistry, now undergoing early tests at a lab inside GM’s suburban Detroit technical center, can hold twice as much energy as the company’s current electric vehicle batteries, Parks said. They’ll also cost 60% less than current battery packs now in the Chevrolet Bolt electric car, he said.

The chemistry, which will use lithium metal anodes, will help GM package battery cells for a wide range of vehicles at different price points and ranges, Parks said. The new battery cells also will be used by Honda, which is partnering with GM and battery cell supplier LG Chem of Korea.

Parks said GM’s next generation of batteries due out next year already are getting close to reducing electric vehicle costs so they are similar to internal combustion engine vehicles, especially when fuel costs are factored in.
He said GM will build its own batteries to take advantage of economies of scale as more electric vehicles are sold. “We’ll learn it. We’ll perfect it. We’ll scale it and we’ll ride that cost curve down,” Parks said.

Slides presented at the virtual Barclays Global Automotive Conference Thursday made reference to future electric Chevrolet sedans and sports cars, GMC and Chevrolet full-size electric pickups, an electric GMC Hummer full-size SUV, Chevrolet and Buick electric crossover SUVs, and electric Cadillac full-size SUVs, smaller crossover SUVs and sedans or sports cars. Several “key high volume” vehicles will come by 2023.

Parks said one of the Chevrolet crossover SUVs would be similar in size to the brand’s Equinox. As sales volumes rise for that mass-market SUV, that will help GM offer electric vehicles at even lower prices, he said.
The company should exceed its previous target of selling 1 million electric vehicles worldwide by 2025, CEO Mary Barra said.

Some more expensive luxury electric vehicles such as the Tesla Model S offer big batteries and ranges of over 400 miles, but Parks said GM plans to bring the higher range to more mainstream markets. A range of 450 miles is about equal to what people expect from a tank of gasoline, he said.

GM’s statements come two months after a similar announcement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He said in September the company is working on new technology that will enable more affordable cars that can travel dramatically longer distances on a single charge. He said the new batteries may not be ready for high-volume production until 2022, and there could be a Tesla with a $25,000 starting price.

Accounting and consulting firm Deloitte said in a study last summer that global sales of fully electric and plug-in gas-electric hybrid sales passed the 2 million mark last year, and were 2.5% of all new vehicle sales. By 2030, Deloitte predicts that total electric and plug-in sales will rise to 31.1 million, or 32% of global new vehicle sales. The firm estimates that fully electric vehicle sales will be 25.3 million, or 81 percent of the total.
GM shares closed Thursday up 0.2% to $42.82.
 

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All the established manufacturers were bringing out "green econoboxes" to appeal to Prius owners. Elon was smart enough to bring out performance/luxury vehicles that appealed to MB/BMW/Audi owners. So glad that Ford figured out which approach works.
Elon directly attacked the most profitable vehicles. While Elon could barely break even with existing tech, the luxury car segment was really impacted and felt that competition. Just look at Porsche's response with mission e. Porsche saw what was needed to compete and asked all their staff to forgo any raises for 5 years, as this really a mission for survival. Had Elon tried to first make the $35k car the world really needs, it was have fizzled out pretty quickly. Where I think Elon failed was with the boondoggle that was the model X. It diverted too much attention to a low volume excessive car, and as a result the model 3 was delayed and released with way too many shortcuts.

All Elon ever wanted was to change the world, and I applaud him for doing just that. I think/hope that the Mach-e and electric F-150 are the beginnings of real focus and competition from the established OEMs. I see the Honda-e as another great example of the next wave of volume EVs for the masses. I just don't think Tesla will be capable of producing reliable, profitable volume EVs.
 

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a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry
That's an interesting way to word it. Pending means it hasn't happened yet. That's kinda like planning how to spend your "pending Super Bowl bet" before the game is played. ?

Seems like there's still a lot that could fall through. But that they felt like they had to make some "EV media splash" anyway.
 

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Elon directly attacked the most profitable vehicles.
Not sure that segment is most profilable (the real cash cows are trucks and SUVs), but in terms of being high price cars, yes. They really had no choice but to put high price tags on them though, as the batteries cost so much. And the only customers willing to pay that much would want high-end features too, so they added those and made it even more expensive. Had to get up into the "we have money to burn so the price doesn't matter" customer bracket.

Now the costs are creeping down, but still quite a ways from ICE parity. The Mach-E, for instance, is still probably $15k over what the comparable sized/equiped ICE vehicle is. Tax subsidies may cut that gap in half, but there's still a long way to go to get those battery prices down.

GM seems to feel they're about to figure out how to bring that way down. Hope so, but right now it's just more promises.
 

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Not sure that segment is most profilable (the real cash cows are trucks and SUVs), but in terms of being high price cars, yes. They really had no choice but to put high price tags on them though, as the batteries cost so much. And the only customers willing to pay that much would want high-end features too, so they added those and made it even more expensive. Had to get up into the "we have money to burn so the price doesn't matter" customer
Yes, I should have clarified cars.

He really took advantage of several opportunities that came at the same time... it was a window of opportunity that someone in Silicon Valley could see. As laptops had recently been getting smaller and phones and tablets were taking over, there was a glut of cheap 18650 batteries as everyone moved to pouch cells, along with lots of manufacturing capacity. If Panasonic didn't find a place to sell their cells they'd be gone today, just like Sanyo. Before the Model 3, 65% of Panasonic's just went Model S, and that doesn't include powerwall.

In addition, those 18650 cells couldn't be used to make small capacity pack without severely limiting the power output. Just witness the early 40kWh Model S - it was actually a software limited 60kWh car. So 60kWh+ is what they had to be, and a bigger luxury sedan was the only way to break even. Throw some cool tech and Apple-esq minimalist design into it and pretty soon Elon's the new Steve Jobs some people were looking for. No better fan boys than them...

GM seems to feel they're about to figure out how to bring that way down. Hope so, but right now it's just more promises.
I don't trust GM's promises. They do still seem to have a lot leverage with LG though. They were able to get some sweet pricing from LG in the past for the Volt, Bolt and Spark.
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