GM Introduces Electric Motors Plant, First EV-Dedicated Facility For Major U.S. Automaker

The General Motors electric motor plant near Baltimore will be the first by a major U.S. automaker dedicated to making the critical components for vehicle electrification when the plant opens in 2013.

With Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on hand, GM broke ground on May 17 for the previously announced addition to the complex housing its two-mode hybrid, and Heavy Duty transmission operations. The electric motor plant results from two investments totaling $269.5 million announced last year.

Electric motor design and production is a core business for GM in the development and manufacture of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.

The campus will be powered in part by a 1.23 megawatt rooftop solar array, expected to generate nine percent of its annual energy consumption and save approximately $330,000 during the life of the project.

GM will offset up to 1,103 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the air per year – equivalent to the emissions from 216 passenger vehicles, according to the company.

Constellation Energy will build, own and maintain the solar power system, and GM will purchase all of the electricity generated by the solar panels under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Constellation Energy's first solar array for GM was a 951-kilowatt system at its Fontana, CA, Service and Parts Operations warehouse.

GM uses renewable energy from solar, hydro, and landfill gas resources at various plants. In the United States alone, 1.4 percent of its energy consumption comes from renewable resources.

GM's Baltimore Operations has the dual distinction of being powered by renewable energy and generating no landfill waste. It earned zero-landfill status in 2007 by recycling, reusing or converting to energy all wastes from daily operations.

Last year, the Baltimore Operations complex won a Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award for showing commitment to sustainable practices with measurable results.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004