- GM CEO Mary Barra initially said that EV commitment will take decades.
- She emphasized that General Motors will continue to have a diverse range of vehicles based on consumer preference.
- A GM spokesperson later clarified that the company remains committed to its 2035 EV deadline, confusing many in the process.
As EV sales continue to slow down in the U.S., General Motors CEO Mary Barra had tempered expectations, claiming that the company’s EV switchover will take “decades” rather than years. It comes amidst a decline in EV sales growth in the U.S. and GM’s strategic pivot to its new Ultium EV platform.
Read: GM’s American Plug-In Hybrids Won’t Arrive Until 2027
However, later in the day, a spokesperson for GM clarified that the company remains committed to its original goal of phasing out ICE offerings from its lineup by 2035. Understandably, the conflicting comments have left a trail of confusion, with multiple outlets changing their headlines to try and make sense of the situation.
Confusion
In 2018, GM announced it would be phasing out gas-powered options in favor of battery-powered cars. It was heavily implied that GM was forging ahead with new tech, with one of the company’s taglines in 2020 being: “Our electric future is now,” with a deadline of 2035 for all offerings to be EV.
However, Barra’s latest statement drew attention to the company’s combustion-powered offerings, with the CEO heaping praise on their varied lineup. Speaking to NBC News, Bara said: “You know, we said back in 2018 that we’re committed to an all-electric future. But as we make this transformation, it’s going to happen over decades. And that’s why I couldn’t be more proud of our gas-powered fleet as well.”
Barra emphasized that GM will continue to offer a diverse range of vehicles to cater to consumer preferences, whether gas-powered or electric. This inclusive approach aims to meet varying lifestyle needs while gradually encouraging the adoption of EVs. The company has seen notable success with its Cadillac brand, particularly the Lyriq crossover, which has significantly contributed to EV sales growth.
Other EV Developments For GM
Barra committed to the introduction of a new sub-$35,000 EV that will appear later this year. “Everyone has been talking about to really drive EV adoption, we’ve got to get to EVs that are affordable,” she said.
Registration data released for March showed that the EV market has cooled since recording a 52 percent gain in the 2023 calendar year. Tesla still leads the way, with over 50 percent of the EV Market, while GM brands make up just under 5 percent.
Meanwhile, when asked about a potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Bara said the political landscape would not change GM’s EV roadmap. “We will be just committed because we think in the long term [EVs are] better,” she said.
“And even right now — I mean, get in an EV and drive it. It’s instant torque. You never have to go to the gas station, especially if you have at your home or where you live, whether it’s an apartment or your house, you have accessibility charging,” Barra added.
