GM plans to provide electric vehicle components to various industries and open up a new profitable landscape

Reporter | Li Wenbo

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General Motors said Wednesday that it will supply cross-industry electric vehicle components, expanding its electrification technology to a larger commercial customer base.

The automaker will begin rolling out electric vehicle kits for car owners and non-automotive customers to retrofit their products. Use cases for GM's EV suite include aftermarket departments, logistics, power solutions, and airport towing equipment.

GM estimates that the overall market for electrified components could grow to $20 billion by 2030 as companies in various industries set emission reduction targets.

Travis Hester, vice president of electric vehicle growth at GM, said in a statement: "GM has an established strategy, a network of integrators and co-development agreements to apply a large number of components and solutions to a wide range of customers. As companies in many industries seek to reduce their environmental impact, GM is becoming a leader not only through new electric vehicles across our various brands, but also through more technology adoption, and we look forward to taking our customers on a zero-emission journey." ”

GM said it will invest $35 billion globally in electric and autonomous driving technology development by 2025. Ultium batteries, developed jointly with LG Energy Solutions, drove part of the investment, and the automaker said Ultium and Hydrotec fuel cell technology could be used in other industries. In a statement wednesday, the automaker said that in the future, GM aims to implement the latest electric vehicle technology in a wide range of applications, regardless of the chemical composition of the battery.

An example of GM's electric vehicle components is the eCrate kit, which is expected to be launched in Chevrolet's performance and aftermarket division in 2022. The kit replaces the vehicle's internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. GM tested the kit on the E-10 pickup, K-5 Blazer-E, eCOPO Camaro, and Project X concept cars. GM also partnered with Lingenfelter Performance Engineering to electrify the 1972 El Camino SS.

General Motors Power Solutions plans to introduce custom electric components for companies in the marine, on-highway, off-road, and industrial sectors.

The automaker will also work with Ground Support Equipment to supply electric components for baggage tractors, cargo tractors and belt loaders at airports around the world.

GM also announced fuel cell partnerships in the marine, aerospace and locomotive industries this year.

Last month, GM invested in Pure Watercraft to bring electric vehicle technology to the marine industry. The two companies plan to develop and commercialize electric watermills.

In June, GM said it would work with Liebherr-Aerospace to develop a hydrogen fuel cell power generation system for the aircraft. The system will be based in part on GM's Hydrotec fuel cell technology and will be manufactured by Liebherr-Aerospace in Toulouse, France.

GM also announced a partnership with North China University of Science and Technology to develop and commercialize GM's proprietary Ultium battery technology and Hydrotec hydrogen fuel cell system for north University of Science and Technology locomotives.