The move toward electrification of entire vehicle lines is gaining more momentum, as automotive manufacturers embrace emerging technologies to bring their fleets into the 21st century.
General Motors, for example, plans to exclusively offer electric vehicles by 2035, ending production of its cars, trucks and SUVs with diesel- and gasoline-powered engines.
The company’s “aspirations” are part of a larger plan for the Detroit automaker to be carbon neutral by 2040 in its global products and operations. That goal is already bringing change to local dealerships like Georgian Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc., where the move to bring electrified vehicles to market is impacting everything from sales to service.
“We’re in the process now of installing three charging stations at the dealership, one inside for technicians, one outside for company use relative to servicing and then one we’re going to be offering to the public,” said Ralph Murphy, General Manager at the popular Barrie View Drive dealership. “We have to be able to have not only the charging equipment but also the servicing equipment. The fact is, for vehicles like the new Hummer EV, we have to also have the lifts to handle the weight of such vehicles.”
Powering the change at Georgian Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc. is the new GM Ultium electric vehicle platform.
Built on a flexible battery architecture for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) across different vehicle types, the new GM Ultium platform is designed to provide new vehicles with the ultimate range, power, and flexibility, moving the company closer to producing cars and trucks with zero tailpipe emissions.
The increased range offered on new vehicles like the Hummer, Bolt, and Silverado is the most attractive selling feature according to Murphy.
“I think what’s most surprising about vehicles like the Bolt is that they have a range in that 400 kilometre range,” said Murphy. “It deals with a little bit of that range anxiety that people have about being out there driving and there is no electrification station around. A range like that allows you to go up and down the 400 going to Toronto everyday. It’s really no different than a gas-powered vehicle. Whether you’re using gas or electricity there are limits to how far you can go before refuelling.”
With the focus of attention at GM being the new Ultium platform, it’s easy to forget that the company is also designing vehicles with amazing comfort, style and functionality.
Murphy says consumers are going to be impressed with the new line of EV vehicles coming to market over the next few years.
“When I first saw the Bolt the attention to detail and engineering is absolutely amazing. There are so many features including the fact these vehicles are just so quiet, or that it’s smart enough to not let you put it in drive when the car is charging. Fixes and repairs can be uploaded or completed remotely through software updates to make it perform better. It’s a changing environment.”
The new era of affordable, all-electric vehicles is here and Chevy Bolt EV is leading the charge with a price tag around $38,200, Murphy says is a game changer.
“You don’t have to spend $100,000 to get into a quality EV,” he said.
Get behind the wheel and discover the power of all-electric. For more information, visit Georgian Chevrolet Buick GMC online.
Or call our customer care centre (705)733-2222