By Monica Walker, renewables and energy strategy manager
Sustainable business is responsible business. As commercial and residential demands on the U.S. electrical grid have soared, we’re focused on a cost-effective, reliable, and zero-emissions electrical grid. And our commitment to renewable energy is an important part of that vision - not just during Earth Week, but 365 days a year.
In 2024, GM’s renewable energy contracts covered 77% of our U.S. electricity usage, up from 59% a year earlier. Driving the increase: Clean-energy utility programs, like the one with DTE Energy that supplies our Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, as well as our investments in several American energy projects.
These investments have generated jobs and local tax revenue, while contributing lower-emissions sources of electricity to grids, in Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois.
Newport Project solar array featuring over 500,000 panels located in Arkansas.
In Arkansas, for example, NorthStar Clean Energy’s Newport Solar project is a solar energy park that contributes to our electricity portfolio. Energy produced at the 2,000-acre site matches a portion of the traditional electricity we use at our Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly plants in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri. Newport Solar is also expected to provide about $133,000 a year for local schools through taxes and community funds.
Grazing sheep, sourced from local farmers, replaces traditional mowing on the Newport site, which reduces tractor use, minimizes dust, and enhances soil health.
Projects like Newport Solar not only help us secure independent sources of American energy; they also add more electricity to the grid. A bigger supply generally means lower electricity prices. Lower energy costs benefit GM’s business and all consumers – including, of course, GM customers charging their electric vehicles. Plus, once we reach our goal of 100% renewable electricity, it will include any energy used to charge employees’ vehicles at GM facilities, further supporting our vision of a zero-emissions future.
Energy sources across GM sites from the 2023 General Motors Sustainability Report.
So, where are we now?
In the U.S., we’ve secured the contracts needed to match 100% of GM’s electricity use for our facilities with renewable energy by the end of 2025.
Globally, our renewable consumption reached 52%, up from 39% a year earlier, as we progress toward our goal of hitting 100% in the next decade.
We’re also working to expand our impact beyond our own facilities. We are active members of the Clean Energy Buyers Association and other groups working to bring more renewable electricity online. And GM recently helped launch Transform: Auto, a collaborative program aimed at accelerating renewable electricity usage across the automotive supply chain by helping suppliers get the information and support they need.
As GM continues to innovate, sourcing renewable energy is just one way we can support our customers, our community and our planet – while delivering a world-class vehicle portfolio.
Discover other ways GM supports communities across the U.S.:
Sustainable business is responsible business. As commercial and residential demands on the U.S. electrical grid have soared, we’re focused on a cost-effective, reliable, and zero-emissions electrical grid. And our commitment to renewable energy is an important part of that vision - not just during Earth Week, but 365 days a year.
In 2024, GM’s renewable energy contracts covered 77% of our U.S. electricity usage, up from 59% a year earlier. Driving the increase: Clean-energy utility programs, like the one with DTE Energy that supplies our Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, as well as our investments in several American energy projects.
These investments have generated jobs and local tax revenue, while contributing lower-emissions sources of electricity to grids, in Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois.
In Arkansas, for example, NorthStar Clean Energy’s Newport Solar project is a solar energy park that contributes to our electricity portfolio. Energy produced at the 2,000-acre site matches a portion of the traditional electricity we use at our Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly plants in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri. Newport Solar is also expected to provide about $133,000 a year for local schools through taxes and community funds.
Grazing sheep, sourced from local farmers, replaces traditional mowing on the Newport site, which reduces tractor use, minimizes dust, and enhances soil health.
Projects like Newport Solar not only help us secure independent sources of American energy; they also add more electricity to the grid. A bigger supply generally means lower electricity prices. Lower energy costs benefit GM’s business and all consumers – including, of course, GM customers charging their electric vehicles. Plus, once we reach our goal of 100% renewable electricity, it will include any energy used to charge employees’ vehicles at GM facilities, further supporting our vision of a zero-emissions future.
So, where are we now?
In the U.S., we’ve secured the contracts needed to match 100% of GM’s electricity use for our facilities with renewable energy by the end of 2025.
Globally, our renewable consumption reached 52%, up from 39% a year earlier, as we progress toward our goal of hitting 100% in the next decade.
We’re also working to expand our impact beyond our own facilities. We are active members of the Clean Energy Buyers Association and other groups working to bring more renewable electricity online. And GM recently helped launch Transform: Auto, a collaborative program aimed at accelerating renewable electricity usage across the automotive supply chain by helping suppliers get the information and support they need.
As GM continues to innovate, sourcing renewable energy is just one way we can support our customers, our community and our planet – while delivering a world-class vehicle portfolio.
Discover other ways GM supports communities across the U.S.:
- GM drives America: Measuring our contribution to the U.S. economy
- GM reduces natural gas use by 30% at Fort Wayne Assembly