GM Will Sell Battery and Fuel Cell Expertise to Finance Future Vehicles like the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV

Just two days ago, we reported that GM was going to use its HYDROTEC fuel cell technology to help make trains greener. Now, GM is entering into another partnership using HYDROTEC fuel cells to make airplanes greener as well. It is all part of GM’s huge new investment in developing more vehicles like the highly anticipated 2022 GMC HUMMER EV.

GM’s Huge EV and AV Investments

GM says it will increase its investment in EV and AV development 75 percent from 2020 through 2025. General Motors will spend $35 billion to produce more vehicles like the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV and the 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV. GM’s vehicle Cruise should be the first autonomous or self-driving vehicle produced on a large scale.

“We are investing aggressively in a comprehensive and highly-integrated plan to make sure that GM leads in all aspects of the transformation to a more sustainable future,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “GM is targeting annual global EV sales of more than 1 million by 2025, and we are increasing our investment to scale faster because we see momentum building in the United States for electrification, along with customer demand for our product portfolio.”

Strong Positive Reaction for HUMMER and Other EVs

GM says it was convinced to increase its investment based on the strong positive reaction to the GMC HUMMER EV and HUMMER EV SUV, the Cadillac LYRIQ and the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup.

“There is a strong and growing conviction among our employees, customers, dealers, suppliers, unions and investors, as well as policymakers, that electric vehicles and self-driving technology are the keys to a cleaner, safer world for all,” Barra said.

GM’s Recent EV Investments and Partnerships

GM is also accelerating plans to build two new battery cell manufacturing plants in the United States by mid-decade to complement the Ultium plants under construction in Tennessee and Ohio.

Not only is GM working with a partner to develop a battery or hydrogen fuel cell-powered locomotive, GM is also supplying HYDROTEC fuel cells to Navistar to develop hydrogen-powered semis and trucks.

GM is also supplying its HYDROTEC fuel cells and control modules to Liebherr-Aerospace, which is developing hydrogen-powered auxiliary power units for aircraft. The HYDROTEC fuel cells could help airplanes shed tons of weight, which in turn would save fuel and reduce the aircrafts’ carbon footprint.

“Aircraft are a great litmus test for the strength and versatility of our HYDROTEC fuel cells,” said GM Executive Director – Global HYDROTEC Charlie Freese. “Our technology can address customer needs in a wide range of uses - on land, sea, air or rail, and this collaboration with Liebherr could open up new possibilities for aircraft, transitioning to alternative energy power sources.”

Lockheed Martin and GM are teaming up to develop the next generation of lunar vehicles to transport astronauts on the surface of the Moon, leveraging GM’s expertise in electric propulsion and autonomous technology.

What GM Gets Besides the Money

All of GM’s recently announced partnerships are great for business. If the company can sell the technology, they can offset some of their huge research costs and reinvest the money in producing more of the vehicles that customers want.

All of the partnerships will entail huge advancements in light-weighting. GM and its partners will be researching how to make semis, trains and aircraft lighter and more fuel efficient. Their lunar vehicle research will incorporate light-weighting and autonomous technology. All of the research will help GM build better, lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The company and customers will win in the end.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.