GM: Half of U.S. vehicles will run on ethanol by 2012

With the help of its new partner Coskata Inc., GM said that half its U.S. vehicles will run on ethanol by 2012. Speaking at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, GM’s North American President Troy Clarke said GM is planning to have 11 ethanol-capable vehicles on the market this year and 15 in 2009.

He also mentioned that GM will be producing its first four-cylinder ethanol-capable model, the FlexFuel Chevrolet HHR, in 2010.

“We don’t only want to respond to the needs of the market. We want to anticipate them,” Clarke told the press.

Clarke said that even while GM continues to research hybrids, plug-in electric cars and other fuel-alternative technologies, it believes that ethanol can provide the quickest reduction in emissions.

GM showed ethanol capable Denali XT Hybrid Concept yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show. The Denali XT Hybrid Concept is paired with a two-mode hybrid transmission and a small block 4.9L V8 E85 capable engine that produces an estimated 326 horsepower.

Source: MSNBC

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