GM to Create Factory Zero for BEV Production
General Motors hopes to boost the climate credentials of its future BEV products with the creation of a zero emissions factory in Detroit.
Its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center will be known as Factory Zero and reconfigured to an all-electric vehicle assembly plant. The name reflects GM’s forward strategy aimed at creating a zero-crashes, zero-emissions and zero-congestion future.
The facility hopes to use advanced technology and tooling focueds on sustainable manufacturing. The GMC Hummer EV pickup and the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built electric, self-driving, shared vehicle, and other GM EVs will be built at factory with . production of the Hummer beginning in late 2021. GM says it will invest $2.2Bn in the facility and create more than 2,200 skilled jobs. Both of the upcoming BEVs will be built on GM’s Ultium battery platform.
During the plant’s physical transition, concrete waste was repurposed to create temporary roadways. The site also recycled stormwater to reduce discharge costs and offset the cost of potable water. Treated stormwater will be used in cooling towers and the fire suppression system. Recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council, the site also features a 16.5-acre wildlife habitat and is home to species such as monarchs, foxes and turkeys.
The automaker is committed to sourcing all of its US facilities with renewable energy by 2030 and all global facilities by 2040. All DTE-supplied GM facilities in southeast Michigan, including Factory Zero, will be powered by renewable energy by 2023. The factory also features a 30-kilowatt solar carport and 516-kilowatt ground-mount photovoltaic solar array from DTE.
Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice-president of global manufacturing, said: “Factory Zero is the next battleground in the EV race and will be GM’s flagship assembly plant in our journey to an all-electric future. The electric trucks and SUVs that will be built here will help transform GM and the automotive industry.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
