New solar tree helps support electric car growth

(WXYZ) - General Motors is the first automaker to start using a new solar panel called a solar tree. The automaker joined the Warren Mayor to cut the ribbon for the new charging system. The solar tree is  located at GM's Vehicle Operations Facility in Warren. The solar canopy will produce up to 30,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough to charge six electric vehicles a day.

Cindy Brinkley, GM's Vice President of Global Human Resources says "From a GM perspective, It is not just the culture of innovation that led to this, but also the culture of sustainability that we have within GM."

The new solar tree will help support the growth of electric vehicles. That is important in relation to the new fuel economy standards.  Congress is confirming the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 54.5 miles per gallon, by 2025.  For automakers to meet that goal, they will have to sell more hybrid and electric vehicles.

Tony Posawatz who directs the Volt program for General Motors says "The more we can enable cars like the Volt, that can plug in with green power; the less we have to worry about MPG. We can meet and make the standards work for all of us."