Innovation

The Ultium 360 is an electric battery that runs beneath the vehicle floor, differing from the classic engine beneath the car hood. It is made up of long pouch cells that can be stacked, either vertically or horizontally, to meet the energy needs of differing vehicles. This ability to stack long pouch cells vertically or horizontally in modules is unique in the industry. This design makes it possible to drive more miles on a single charge at a lower cost, benefiting the consumer and the environment. These batteries are groundbreaking in the world of EVs. To make them more sustainable and affordable to produce, they are focusing on sourcing as much material as possible from North America, which involves ethically sourcing high-quality raw materials while also reducing costs. These batteries will allow GM to “enable [their] entire company to electrify all ride range of vehicles from the most affordable Equinox… all the way up to the Hummer.” Threlkeld stated in the interview. General Motors will begin releasing electric vehicles with the Ultium battery starting in the Fall of 2023.

Inspiration

In 2016, General Motors (GM) approved the RE 100 goal, which is a goal that is committed to using one hundred percent renewable electricity supplies by 2025 in global operations. Their innovation to transform the company from traditional engines to Ultium proprietary platform stems from the RE 100 goal. By making this transformation, they hope to electrify a wide range of vehicles to create the most affordable equinox. General Motors has been reporting its greenhouse gases since the early 90s. For decades they’ve been installing sustainable efforts into their company. This effort alone motivates the focus on electrification with the Ultium proprietary platform. During the interview, Rob Threlkeld mentioned, "General Motors, a 100-plus-year-old company, is transitioning from building internal combustion engine vehicles to all-electric. The transitioning of the company to be 100% electric vehicle manufacturer specifically for light duty vehicles by 2035.” The inspiration behind the creation of the Ultium battery technology is the strive for an all-electric future.

Overall impact

General Motors has made great strides when it comes to its innovations to make the earth a more sustainable place. They have built relationships with energy companies to begin the move away from fossil generation and natural gases to electrification. The teams across the entire organization are one hundred percent focused on sustainability and programs that allow leadership to monitor energy profiles to make informed decisions. The drive to decarbonize their fleet and production activities has helped local communities. Due to the building of wind and solar fields, there have been improvements in the infrastructure. Taxes generated from their investment have gone to schools to provide teacher aides and help with education.

Having over 100 years of experience in their industry, General Motors has been able to change the way they do things to help to make the future a brighter place for us all. In 2016, GM announced its RE 100 goals, devoted to switching to one hundred percent renewable energy sources by 2050. They have fast-track that goal and now stand to complete it by 2025. This change is the best example of what happens when the entire company is on board with improving and meeting sustainability goals. GM has shown what it takes to step into the era of sustainability.

Business benefit

GM works tirelessly in its chase of the RE goal. The benefits to the company overall help to balance the stress of such a large and innovative project. The process of going fully electric is a unique and challenging project. Threlkeld is fully aware and states, “We are taking a company which operated the same way for 100 years, building the same type of vehicles, the same type of propulsion systems. And now we are transforming it into a new, entirely different propulsion system, an electric.” This task, while challenging, proves beneficial to the company by exploring a new and profitable market and working on exciting, never seen before new technology. These innovations prove thrilling for the world of technology and transportation, and this excitement drives both the project and employees. Threlkeld highlights in his statement, “I think you know the biggest benefit we see from that is the excitement that you have and how we transform the company into the speed of what you are transforming.”

Social and environmental benefit

At General Motors, one of the more important goals is to address the impacts of climate change. As they move towards a more sustainable future, their dedication to electric vehicles remains their top priority. The Ultium 360 Battery introduction can electrify the entire fleet of light-duty vehicles of all different sizes- a key enabler of their scope three emissions, which are emissions produced outside of the company itself or their carbon emissions attributed to climate change. At the end of its life, the Ulitum 360 Battery can be repurposed into new batteries, which aim to reduce the use of fossil fuels when producing and transporting raw materials. Transitioning to EVs also reduces the need for gasoline, reducing emissions and fighting climate change.

Aside from General Motors' environmental impact, the company is working just as hard to leave a lasting impact on society. Threlkeld states, “All of our renewable energy projects are within the manufacturing or utility footprint of our manufacturing sites, and the real drive for that is to reduce local emissions.” This reduction was proven in 2019 when GM bought 250 megawatts of wind energy from a wind farm implemented in Paulding County in Northwest Ohio. On a local scale, this impacted the county. Local infrastructure improved with the building of wind farms. The pavement of dirt roads, as they had to bring machinery and equipment to build the turbines. This process improved emergency response times, as they can go down a road much faster to respond to an emergency. Alongside this came increased county tax revenue, stronger public schools, and a boost in bond rating, which can help to save the county money.

Interviews

Rob Threkhold, Senior Manager of Power and Utility Strategy

Mike Osborn, Senior Manager of Sustainable Communications