General Motors has announced it is the first U.S. automaker to source 100% renewable energy for its domestic operations. The company stated it matched 70% of its global electricity use with renewables in 2025. GM, which owns the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC brands, contracts enough clean energy to match every kilowatt-hour it draws from the grid for its U.S. facilities.
The automaker has set several sustainability targets, including achieving carbon neutrality in global products and operations by 2040. GM aims to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 72% by 2035 compared to a 2018 baseline, cut scope 3 emissions from sold products by 51% per vehicle kilometer by 2035, and decrease water intensity by 35% by 2035 compared to 2010. The company has already reduced its operational emissions by 52% since 2018 while growing revenue by 26%.
Cassandra Garber, GM's Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized that the energy transition is making a tangible difference. "We know that our electricity choices matter — for communities and the long-term health of its business," Garber said. "We're going to keep pursuing our zero-emissions vision and showing that decarbonization and economic growth can, and do, move together." Garber, who joined GM last year from Dell Technologies, noted the automaker was already helping accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and encouraging renewable energy adoption.
GM relies on a diverse mix of renewable energy sources. In 2025, the bulk of renewables came from clean-energy utility programs (40%), followed by virtual power purchase agreements (37%), unbundled renewable energy credits (14%), default delivered renewable energy (8%), and on-site generation and landfill gas (1%). The company sources renewable electricity from NorthStar Clean Energy's 180-megawatt solar project in Newport, Arkansas, through a deal signed in 2024.
GM has entered into power purchase agreements with Hilltopper Wind Farm and NorthStar Clean Energy to support operations across three U.S. assembly plants. The company expects its use of renewable energy credits to decrease as more long-term clean energy projects become operational. This milestone advances GM's vision of a zero-emissions future while demonstrating that decarbonization and economic growth can progress in tandem.
Key Takeaways:
1. General Motors became the first U.S. automaker to source 100% renewable energy for its U.S. operations.
2. The company matched 70% of its global electricity use with renewables in 2025.
3. GM reduced operational emissions by 52% since 2018 while growing revenue by 26%.
4. Power purchase agreements signed with NorthStar Clean Energy and Hilltopper Wind Farm support operations.
5. Target set to achieve carbon neutrality in global products and operations by 2040.
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