Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, has been one of the top auto companies to manufacture gas-powered vehicles for over a century. In January, the company announced its plans to move forward with producing electric vehicles and reducing its emissions with the cars it sells to consumers. GM hopes to be an all-electric car company by 2035. All diesel and gasoline-powered models will gradually be phased out.
General Motors isn't alone in working towards phasing out its gas-powered models. Other car brands like Acura and Volkswagen are moving in the same direction and plan to become fully electric to become more competitive with manufacturers like Tesla.
The Chevy Bolt EV and EUV are currently in production, but delays have occurred due to batteries that have been recalled. Similar challenges can develop in the coming years as the company tries to produce more EV models due to a shortage of available computer chips due to the pandemic, which are currently manufactured in Asia. The shortage should be resolved by 2023. The sales of this model have been steady before the recall occurred and are anticipated to continue to increase.
Light-duty trucks and SUVs sold by Chevy will be the first to become electric and powered by batteries. Originally, heavy-duty electric trucks were anticipated to be released in 2040, but the manufacturer has announced the models will be available in 2035.
The GM Hummer is one of the most popular models that will become electric and have a range of 350 miles after it's charged. It'll be built with a 3,000-pound battery that will allow the vehicle to reach 60 mph in three seconds. In 2024, the Chevrolet Equinox EV will be released and boasts impressive performance without releasing any emissions.
Some employees who work at Chevy plants are relieved by the announcement because it offers stability for their jobs and allows them to continue working. GM will plan to negotiate with some of the plants regarding unions as it transitions to manufacturing electric vehicles. Only 20% of the production process will be changed to accommodate the transition.
Although GM's sales have declined in recent years, the company is picking up speed and working hard to remain competitive in a crowded industry. The transition to an all-electric company will cost GM $35 million once it's completed, but they're hoping it will allow them to remain competitive and continue to take the lead.
