Barra: GM will bring plug-in hybrid options to North America

General Motors Co. is planning to bring plug-in hybrid options to the North American market, CEO Mary Barra confirmed to analysts on Tuesday during GM's fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call.

"We are timing the launches to help us comply with the more stringent fuel economy and tailpipe emission standards that are being proposed," Barra said. "And we plan to deliver the program in a capital and cost efficient way because the technology is already in production in other markets. We'll have more to share about this down the road."

The Detroit News reported in November that GM was considering offering hybrid options — a reversal from GM's focus on battery electric vehicles as it watches the pace of EV sales slow and is trying to prepare for stringent emissions standards hitting at the end of the decade.

In April last year, the Biden Administration released the "strongest ever" tailpipe emissions standards, expected to push automakers to accelerate the proportion of EVs in their U.S. sales to 67% by 2032. The proposed rules by the Environmental Protection Agency call for a 56% reduction for the applicable model years 2027 to 2032. 

And then in July, the Biden administration announced it plans to cut vehicle fuel consumption almost in half by 2035. The proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards would require automakers to meet an estimated 58 miles per gallon average fuel economy by model year 2032 and require automakers to improve fuel efficiency by 2% every year for cars and 4% per year for light trucks beginning in model year 2027.

Barra said GM "remains committed to eliminating tailpipe emissions from our light-duty vehicles by 2035. But in the interim, deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will deliver some of the environmental benefits of EVs as the nation continues to build its charging infrastructure."

She acknowledged the slowing pace of EV sales, but noted third-party forecasts estimating U.S. EV deliveries will rise from 7% of the industry last year to at least 10% this year.

khall@detroitnews.com

@bykaleahall