On Tuesday, General Motors issued an update on its electric vehicle plans, including confirming two electric vehicle and battery production sites in Michigan.
Confirm an earlier reportGM said in a press release it will spend $4 billion to convert its Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan, to build electric pickup trucks. The automaker aims to start production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and its GMC Sierra sibling at Orion Assembly in 2024. Work on fitting starts immediately, GM said.
GM currently builds the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV at the Orion Assembly plant, although production has been halted for several months as GM prioritizes replacing battery packs in a recall due to the risk of fire.
2023 Chevrolet Silverado EV
GM says production of EV and EUV bolts will continue during the plant transformation. But it’s not clear what happens in the long run. An alternative to the Bolt EV is likely on the way, but GM did not say whether that model will be built alongside the electric pickup at Orion Township or at another plant.
GM also confirmed that the third battery plant of Ultium Cells LLC’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution will be located in Lansing, Michigan. Site preparation work for the $2.4 billion plant is expected to begin this summer, while battery production is expected to begin in 2024. The Lansing plant will supply batteries for Orion Assembly and other GM plants, the automaker said.
GMC Electric Sierra Denali teaser
The Michigan battery plant will complement new battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee. GM previously said a fourth plant would be added, but has yet to confirm a location.
GM expects these projects to give the automaker in North America 1 million EVs annually, including 600,000 electric trucks, when both the Orion and “Factory Zero” facilities in the Detroit area are fully built. . The automaker plans to convert half of its North American assembly capacity to electric vehicles by 2030.
Introduction 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
However, the announcement still leaves some questions. GM has not clarified whether $30,000 Chevy Equinox EV will be built at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, where the current version of the internal combustion engine is assembled. It’s the same story with the Chevy Blazer EV, as the petrol Blazer is also assembled in the Ramos Arizpe.
GM has made a series of announcements to support battery and materials production, to help establish North American supply chains. With this announcement, many important pieces of the puzzle are being laid out.
