The Big Three automakers in the United States have been criticized over the years for a lack of foresight on green vehicles. General Motors is hoping to not only ease those criticisms but take a big step toward hybrid development by creating its own electric motors. The automaker announced last week that it will be the first of the Big Three to build electric motors within its own facilities. The first electric motors from GM will hit the streets in 2013 as part of an anticipated rollout of hybrid drive models.
This latest step by GM toward cleaner drive systems was aided by federal funding as well as improvements in existing facilities. The automaker received $105 million grant from the Department of Energy last summer to be used in the development of electric drive systems. GM anticipates an investment of $246 million including this federal grant in manufacturing facilities and research into greener drive systems. Despite GM’s lack of hybrids and EVs at present, the automaker claims that its production facilities in Michigan and California have been researching EV systems for years.
GM is hoping that its advances in motor size, power density and NVH measures will make the automaker competitive with other companies. The first-generation electric motor from GM is designed 25% smaller than existing motors while producing 20% more than the typical motor. GM representatives noted that its experience in developing in-house transmissions along with lighter vehicle designs will make both goals possible. The automaker also claims that a sleek motor design would reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) during operation. GM is making a great step in theory toward EV and hybrid development by keeping motor development in-house, which increases efficiency and decreases costs.
While GM is heading in the right direction, it still has a long way to go before it can be called a green vehicle leader. These electric motors will only be used in the first round of rear-wheel drive hybrids. The automaker states that it will likely purchase electric motors for plug-in hybrids, all-electric vehicles and other green models in the foreseeable future. GM is still lacking an extensive set of designs and prototypes for green vehicles that would use these electric motors. Instead of looking like a progressive company, GM now looks like it has a wide chasm to bridge before its in-house electric motors make much of a difference.
