GM to be 50 percent ethanol powered by 2012

GM’s North American President, Troy Clark in a speech at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show has indicated that GM are expecting to have half of its U.S. vehicles running on ethanol by 2012. Sounds like a big call…!

GM will be achieving this feat with the help of their new partner and ethanol expert Coskata Inc. GM are getting the ball rolling by putting 11 ethanol capable vehicles on the market this year with a further 15 to follow in 2009.

Along with the usual V8 ethanol capable vehicles GM will produce its first four-cylinder powered ethanol compatible vehicle, the FlexFuel Chevrolet HHR, which should hit the highway in 2010.

Clarke was clear on just how GM are thinking. They continue to research hybrids, full electric and other alternative fuel technologies but it is their belief that ethanol will provide the most rapid emission reductions. Witness the new GMC Denali XT concept - designed and built in Australia it combines an ethanol capable engine with a two-mode hybrid system. You may be thinking that the Denali XT is just another concept but on closer inspection, it could just be GM's version of the future.

[Source: MotorAuthority]