GM commits to 100% renewable energy by 2050
General Motors (GM) has announced plans to generate or source all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. This goal builds on a previous promise to use 125MW of renewable energy by 2020. The new plan will enable GM to join 69 other companies in the RE100 pledge, which is aimed at spurring demand for large-scale renewable energy generation. The new goal is ambitious, for context, last year GM required 9TW of electricity to power its factories, offices, research centres, and warehouses across 350 facilities in 59 countries. However, Greenpeace has described the plan as “woefully inadequate” as there has been no corresponding announcement on how many of the auto giant’s 9.8 million annually-produced vehicles will be sustainably powered.

This new renewable energy goal, along with the pursuit of electrified vehicles and efficient manufacturing, is part of the company’s overall approach to strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing climate change. GM is also joining RE100 , a global collaborative initiative of businesses committed to 100 percent renewable electricity, working to increase demand for clean power.

General Motors plans to generate or source all electrical power for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100% renewable energy—such as wind, sun and landfill gas—by 2050.

Establishing a 100 percent renewable energy goal helps us better serve society by reducing environmental impact. This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs. —GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra

Other automakers in RE100 BMW Group. BMW is committed to procuring 100% of electricity from renewable sources for its operations and has an interim target to source more than two thirds of its electricity from renewables by 2020. Tata Motors. Tata Motors Limited is India’s largest automobile manufacturer, producing a range of commercial and passenger vehicles as well as defence and homeland security vehicles. The company has set itself the goal of using 100% renewable energy across all its own operations.

In 2015, GM required 9 terawatt hours of electricity to build its vehicles and power its offices, technical centers and warehouses around the world. To meet its new renewable energy goal, GM will continue to improve the energy efficiency of its operations while transitioning to clean sources for its power needs.

Today GM saves $5 million annually from using renewable energy, a number it anticipates will increase as more projects come online and the supply of renewable energy increases. In addition, the company anticipates costs to install and produce renewable energy will continue to decrease, resulting in more bottom-line returns.

The new renewable energy commitment builds on GM’s previous goal to promote the use of 125 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020. The company expects to exceed this when two new wind projects come online later this year to help power four manufacturing operations.



A 2.2 megawatt solar array powers 1.5% of GM’s Lordstown assembly plant in Ohio, the home of the Chevrolet Cruze. Click to enlarge.

This bold and ambitious commitment from General Motors will undoubtedly catch the attention of the global automotive industry. GM has already saved millions of dollars by using renewable energy, and like any smart business that recognizes an investment opportunity, they want to seize it fully. We hope that through this leadership, other heavy manufacturing companies will be inspired to make the switch too. —Amy Davidsen, North America executive director at The Climate Group

GM is in the process of adding 30 megawatts of solar arrays at two facilities in China. Its Jinqiao Cadillac assembly plant in Shanghai will feature 10 megawatts of rooftop solar and 20 megawatts of solar carports, which will cover 8,100 parking spaces at the company’s vehicle distribution center parking lot in Wuhan.



The Jinqiao Cadillac assembly plant in Shanghai will feature 10 megawatts of rooftop solar arrays. This is GM’s first large-scale solar installation in China. Click to enlarge.

GM has pioneered the use of renewable energy for more than 20 years, saving $80 million to date. The company has 22 facilities with solar arrays, three sites using landfill gas and four that will soon benefit from wind. This experience will help GM scale renewable energy use to all facilities globally.

GM is in a unique position to meet this renewable energy goal given its electric vehicle battery expertise. Energy storage can ultimately address the intermittency or reliability of wind and solar energy. GM is now using Chevrolet Volt batteries for energy storage at its Milford Proving Ground data center office.



A new 800-kilowatt solar array under construction at General Motors Warren Transmission Operations in Warren, Michigan. The array is GM’s largest solar installation in Michigan and was developed in partnership with DTE Energy. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors) Click to enlarge.

GM joins 69 companies that have made the RE100 pledge. As a founding member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance and Business Renewables Center, and one of the first signatories of the Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles, GM helps scale the availability and adoption of renewable energy. These organizations, spearheaded by the Rocky Mountain Institute, the World Wildlife Fund and the World Resources Institute, work to identify barriers to buying clean energy and develop solutions to meet the growing demand.

GM will continue to work with cities, policymakers, renewable energy developers, utilities, NGOs and other stakeholders on the transition to a clean-energy economy.