GM Changes Its Mind, Wants to Bring Back Plug-in Hybrids
General Motors ended production of the Chevrolet Volt almost five years ago to focus on all-electric vehicles. Now facing slower than expected demand in the EV segment, especially in the U.S., the automaker has decided to give plug-in hybrids another shot.
In a fourth-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, CEO Mary Barra surprisingly announced that GM will bring back PHEVs in its North American portfolio within the next few years.
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When exactly? And which vehicles will receive the PHEV treatment? Barra didn’t go so far, unfortunately. She did say that the technology is already in production in other markets, ensuring a capital- and cost-efficient way to market these vehicles.
At the same time, Barra insisted that the PHEV rollout won’t change anything to GM’s goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from its light-duty lineup by 2035, as announced in January 2021. Two of the automaker’s four brands, namely Cadillac and Buick, are supposed to get there by 2030.
“But in the interim, deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will deliver some of the environmental benefits of EVs as the nation continues to build its charging infrastructure," Barra said.
The strategic segments she referred to possibly include compact and midsize SUVs as well as full-size pickups. The Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra 1500 all appear to be potential candidates for a PHEV model.
Could some of the production take place in Ontario? Remember, GM’s Oshawa plant has been building Silverados since reopening in November 2021 and currently operates on three shifts.