Volt Concept

According to the press release, “Chevrolet announced today that it will invest $40 million in various clean energy projects throughout America with a goal to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The initiative is based on projects that promote energy savings, renewable energy, responsible use of natural resources and conservation in communities across the United States.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 8 million metric tons equals the CO2 emissions of one year of electricity use in 970,874 homes or the annual carbon reduction from 1.7 million acres of pine forest.

Chevrolet’s clean energy investments to be implemented in the next three to five years may include projects such as:

• Providing energy efficient technology such as smart energy sensors and solar panels to schools and other community-based facilities in need of upgrades to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce heating bills.
• Supporting wind farms and solar projects that deliver renewable energy to the grid and also help family farms increase their revenues per acre.
• Capturing flammable methane from community landfills that delivers clean energy to the grid and improves local air quality and safety.
• Contributing to forestry projects throughout America.

“GM has made great progress in reducing our environmental impact, but we know we can do more,” said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson.  “Chevrolet’s investment is an extension of the environmental initiatives we’ve been undertaking for years because the solution to global environmental challenges goes beyond just vehicles.

“This is an opportunity to connect with Chevy customers through clean energy projects that directly impact them,” Akerson said

GM estimates its new carbon-reduction goal equates to the emissions in 2011 from driving the 1.9 million vehicles Chevrolet is expected to sell in the United States over the next year.

“Chevy is an iconic emblem of America and it is a big deal that it is stepping forward to address one of our greatest challenges – moving us toward a low-carbon future,” said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. “Chevy is clearly demonstrating that companies can act now and help propel clean energy solutions.”

Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build fuel-efficient vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway, and the Chevy Volt electric car with extended-range capability. The Volt allows 25-50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles.

“Chevy’s Volt and its clean energy investment both exemplify the bold leadership businesses can take today to address our changing climate,” Claussen said.” Its commitment to community-focused clean energy and energy efficiency investments will drive change and increase awareness across the country.”

Other GM initiatives include reducing water use by nearly 35 percent between 2005 and 2009 at manufacturing facilities worldwide; decreasing fossil fuel at GM plants by using landfill gas, hydro and solar power; recycling 90 percent of the waste the company generates; and operating 75 landfill-free facilities, more than half of its manufacturing plants globally.”

Read more: GM Press Release

Green, being the word of the day applies itself to every industry due to regulations and consumer demand for cleaner products. In the case of General Motors (GM), the only green they may ever see could be in the form of the grass that is covering their new home 6 feet under the ground in the graveyard of dead auto-makers.

We the people, now own General Motors, thanks to the bailout that brought GM out of bankruptcy. Since the taxpayers now own the company, the question remains: what have they done with our money?

The answer is for the consumer to decide, and they have. GM has been posting an improvement in sales this year over last year. In October, they sold 4% more automobiles then they did in 2008. There has, in fact been an increase in sales across all of the GM brands over last years’ numbers, though that may not come as too much of a surprise. Due to these positive numbers, there is a new sense of optimism, at least in the short term surrounding GM. For they too have begun to push their more environmentally sound autos.

GM offers a variety of hybrid models, everything from sedans, trucks to SUVs. 7 in all, these cars are to represent the future of the GM family in providing a healthier environment. Yet, due to the sales results listed on GM’s website, none of these hybrid models are what have been increasing sales. Instead, there has been a strong focus on the truck, SUV and crossover market. While there are hybrids in both the SUV and truck lineups that GM produces, they received no mention in the current production and sales release. This begs the question: when the future represents tougher emission standards (like those found in California), how much longer does GM suppose they can continue to produce automobiles that don’t match up? Hybrid cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and any other variety of cars are the wave of the future. It seems as though GM cannot let the past be, and instead have chosen to focus on its history for producing autos, instead of its future.