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DETROIT – OnStar announced today a project with TimberRock Energy Solutions, Inc. that uses aggregation software and solar charging canopies with integrated storage to manage the flow of solar power to benefit the electric grid. It will be the first “real-world” use of OnStar’s Smart Grid solutions.

TimberRock will monitor the output of its solar charging stations, how much stored energy is available and when it can sell energy back to the grid to help meet peak demand. To help balance this system, TimberRock will then manage its fleet of four Chevrolet Volts to help regulate energy flow. This practice is known as Market-Based Regulation.  

Last month, President Obama laudably committed his Administration to take significant action toward cutting carbon pollution, transitioning to renewable and improving efficiency in order to combat climate change. One measure he stated as key to curbing our carbon footprint were strong vehicle efficiency and pollution standards – a measure already embraced by America’s leading auto manufacturers.

These standards, which will nearly double America’s light duty vehicle fuel efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025, are one of the single largest actions taken to date by the Obama Administration, and will result in an estimated 12 billion barrels of oil saved, 6 billion fewer tons of carbon dioxide, and as BlueGreen Alliance published in a landmark report last year, more than 570,000 jobs created by 2030 in the auto industry and throughout the U.S. economy.

Ford engineers are using part of a $7-million government grant to further develop a new way to make prototype parts in the constant pursuit to develop vehicles faster and more cost-efficiently.

Developing new vehicles can takes years and millions of dollars, making it hard to respond quickly to changing consumer tastes.

DETROIT — General Motors pledged Thursday to double its number of models that get at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway by 2017 and said it would cut the emissions its U.S. vehicles produce 15% by 2016.

The efforts are part of GM's broader push to become a more environmentally sustainable company. The company surprised environmental groups earlier this year when it became the first automaker to sign a declaration asserting that going green is good for business.
 

General Motors Co. said Thursday it wants to have at least eight U.S. vehicles on the road that get 40 miles per gallon highway or better by 2017 as part of its efforts to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions.

The company, in its 2012 sustainability report, said it wants to have double the four vehicles it already has that hit the 40-mpg mark. The Detroit automaker’s 2013 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, 2013 Sonic hatchback with turbo and 2013 Sonic sedan with turbo get 40 mpg or better. GM is adding the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel, 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV and 2014 Cadillac ELR in the next year, which will increase its total to seven that meet the goal.

DETROIT (WWJ) - It’s been a fascinating summer for 110 area high school students, who are spending the summer as part of a new project called the General Motors Youth Corps. They are paid minimum wage to clean up parts of the city that are starved for attention.

“I got a job now,” said Cody High Junior Martin Brooks. “I can be something instead of nothing. It’s a great experience.”
 

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that its OnStar unit has partnered with a Maryland-based company that makes solar charging canopies that store energy in a project to show how solar energy from an electric vehicle can be sent to the electric grid.
 

Chrysler Group LLC announced a new, all-black version of its 2013 Ram 1500 pickup Wednesday: The Ram Black Express, which the company claims is the “baddest-looking” factory-built truck on the market.

Get Photo Taken with 2014 GMC Sierra from DFW GMC Dealers, Upload and Vote for Patriot Paws or Snowball Express

In honor of the new 2014 GMC Sierra, DFW GMC Dealers – in partnership with Cumulous Radio – are launching the “GMC Sierra Hashtag Challenge” to benefit two military charities – Patriot Paws and Snowball Express. Terry Dorsey with New Country 96.3 KSCS will lead the challenge.