GM: The 1st US Automaker to Reach 100% Renewable Energy Goal

General Motors Chief Sustainability Officer Cassandra Garber drew applause from the audience at her fireside chat with Sustainability Magazine as she revealed a significant milestone for the company.

Cassandra was chatting on stage with the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Steven Downes at Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit in Chicago.

She said GM has “secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its U.S. facilities”.

It is the first US automaker to hit the target – underlining its determination to press forward with its long-term goal of “100% EVs”, Cassandra added.

Energy management as a business necessity

Writing on the GM website, Cassandra said: "Managing energy use isn't just a checkbox for a corporate environmental report these days; it’s a business necessity.

"In 2025, GM reached a major milestone: The company has secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its US facilities — making GM the first US automaker to reach this goal."

Other highlights from the 2025 statistics include:

• Globally, GM matched 70% of its electricity usage with renewables – nearly double its 2023 level – thanks to new projects in Mexico and Brazil
• GM has reduced operational emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 52% since 2018
• The company's domestic renewable energy investments have generated about US$1.9bn in GDP impact since 2015. Projects contracted through 2026 will add US$333m more.

Cassandra said: "Projects GM has invested in also support an average of 1,500 construction jobs per year across states like Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Arkansas and Illinois – and fund rural schools and emergency services through local taxes."

Prioritising projects on the regional grid

Cassandra said annual energy “matching” can be thought of like an ATM: "If you deposit US$20 into your bank account, you won’t receive that same physical bill when you withdraw the funds later. As long as you deposit as much money as you withdraw, your account is balanced.

"GM contracts for enough clean energy – from projects like Newport Solar and Hilltopper Wind Farm – to equal every kilowatt-hour it pulls from the grid. As GM ensures a 1:1 match for all electricity used by its US operations, the company prioritises projects on the same regional grid as its facilities."

GM's renewables sources in 2025 comprised:

• Clean energy utility programmes – 40%
• Virtual power purchase agreements – 37%
• Unbundled renewable energy credits – 14%
• Default delivered renewable energy – 8%
• Onsite generation and landfill gas – 1%.

Better for business

Cassandra pointed out that GM's transition to clean energy is not just better for the environment, it is smart business. The benefits include:

• Price stability: Long-term renewable contracts insulate GM from energy market volatility
• Grid resilience: More clean energy on the grid means a more dependable system for everyone
• Energy independence: Reduced reliance on foreign energy imports strengthens local communities.

Cassandra said: "GM is also sending a clear signal to suppliers and partners: join this decarbonisation journey by enrolling in programmes like Transform: Auto, which drives renewable energy adoption through the automotive value chain."

She added: "The zero-emissions journey starts before an EV customer ever hits the accelerator.

Achieving GM's renewable goal in the US and making continued progress internationally proves that decarbonising its footprint and driving economic growth aren't in conflict. GM is building the vehicles — and the energy systems — that will help us all enjoy an all-electric future."