Opel launching Euro cousin of Chevy Bolt EV next year: Ampera-e

Opel will introduce a five-door, five-seat battery electric vehicle next year in Europe. Cousin to the US Chevy Bolt, the new Ampera-e will be “affordably priced”, Opel said.

Opel Ampera-e Click to enlarge.

The compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the battery pack being mounted flat, under the vehicle floor. The efficient packaging of the battery also enables a roomy interior providing comfortable seating for five passengers and trunk space comparable with that of a car in the compact class.

The Ampera-e will also offer the personal connectivity and service assistant, Opel OnStar, and connectivity and infotainment technologies that will integrate smartphones and other electronic devices seamlessly into the vehicle.

Cadillac and Shanghai OnStar show 4G LTE, CarLife app and Apple Watch app

At CES Asia, which opened today in Shanghai, Cadillac and GM’s Shanghai OnStar joint venture are showing China’s first automotive 4G LTE telematics service along with the CarLife app; the My Cadillac app; and an Apple Watch app.

Later this year, Cadillac will become the initial vehicle brand in China to offer 4G LTE telematics service. Shanghai OnStar’s partnership with China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless telecom carrier, will support a fast, stable, reliable, safe and convenient telematics network.

Cadillac is also taking advantage of CES Asia to introduce the CarLife app, which will begin appearing in Cadillac models in China in 2015. The technology projects vehicle service information from a user’s smartphone onto the vehicle’s touch screen. It supports various mobile device operating systems, including Android and iOS.

In addition, CES Asia visitors can experience the MyCadillac app for smartphones and an Apple Watch equipped with the OnStar app. The technology allows users to lock and unlock vehicle doors, remotely start their engine, flash their headlights and sound their horn, locate parking spots and access real-time information about vehicle systems.

Two new PEV-specific apps from OnStar targeted at range anxiety and public charging cost

The new EV Waypoint application will plot a waypoint route with recommended charging stations is the route is beyond the range of a single charge. Source: OnStar. Click to enlarge.

At the GM Electrification Experience—at which GM previewed the Spark EV—OnStar previewed two new apps for drivers of plug-in vehicles (PEVs): one slated for release to address the possible range anxiety of electric vehicles (Spark EV Waypoint), the other, a concept to address the cost of public charging (Park-Tap-Charge) that leverages Near Field Communication (NFC).

Since the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle launched in late 2010, drivers have been able to manage vehicle charging, including the option to charge during off-peak hours through the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App. As GM expands its electric vehicle line-up next year with the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, more drivers will be able to manage and control electric-only functions from their phone.

Spark EV Waypoint tab. Because the Spark EV operates only on electricity stored in the battery pack, drivers will need to know if they can reach their destination on a single charge. The Spark EV Waypoint tab, which will be integrated into the RemoteLink app, determines that answer and plots a waypoint route with recommended charging stations if the route is beyond a single charge’s range.

A basic use case scenario is that a driver searches for a destination and then sends that destination to the vehicle. Once the destination is selected, based on the distance and battery state of charge, the app will use the distance and remaining battery charge to tell the driver one of four things:

• Destination is within the range of a single charge, and is sent to the Turn by Turn navigation function.
• Destination is within a single charge range, but the vehicle needs to be charged more until it reaches XX% battery level. The driver will need to press “Continue” to acknowledge the need to continue charging and send the destination to Turn by Turn.
• Destination is further than a single charge range and requires a waypoint route. The app will provide possible waypoint charge stops, and tell the driver the estimated time of travel and charging at each point. It also shows total trip duration.
• No waypoint route is available and destination is beyond vehicle range.

The results are dependent upon an assessment of a driver’s past behavior impact on range—e.g., lead-foot, light-foot, and so on.

In addition to deployment in the mobile app, the waypoint routing function also will be available on GM Owner Center allowing directions to be sent online to a vehicle. Destinations will be stored in OnStar’s Virtual Advisor service.

OnStar plans to make the Waypoint app available for the launch of the 2014 Spark EV.

Working jointly with Electric Vehicle Supplier Equipment (EVSE) networks, OnStar is showing the ability to start and pay for public vehicle charging using Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. Source: OnStar. Click to enlarge.

Park-Tap-Charge Prototype App. With more electric vehicles on the market, the demand for public charging will grow as will the need to know how much charging away from home will cost, OnStar predicts. Where cost is tied to public charging, a new prototype app developed in partnership with GE and its WattStation charging station will allow EV owners simply to tap their smartphone against a charging station, which will automatically show payment options that, once accepted, will initiate the flow of electricity. This prototype app is currently named Park-Tap-Charge.

Prior to accepting payment, the app will show the hourly rate of charging, the estimated time for a full charge and the estimated cost of a full charge. Accounting is handled by PayPal.

The app leverages Near Field Communication technology—an offshoot of radio-frequency identification (RFID) with the exception that NFC is designed for use by devices within close proximity to each other. Devices using NFC may be active or passive. A passive device, such as an NFC tag, contains information that other devices can read but does not read any information itself. Active devices can read information and send it.

NFC works via magnetic induction. The two devices create a high frequency magnetic field between the loosely coupled coils in both the interrogating (active) device and the NFC tag. Once this field is established, a connection is formed and information can be passed between the interrogator and the tag.

With the Park-Tap-Charge app, using a signal sent from an NFC-enabled phone to a charge station with an embedded NFC tag, drivers can automatically initiate payment from a previously connected account by tapping their smartphone to the station.

The current version of the application is a concept. OnStar’s Smart Grid research is made possible by the US Department of Energy DOE.

How Much is Your Charge Charging You? OnStar's new EcoHub connected app shows cost of Volt charging

PRESS RELEASE

AUSTIN, Texas – OnStar is testing an app capable of telling Chevrolet Volt owners how much it costs to charge their battery – and compare the Volt's energy use with the total energy consumed in their home by day, month or year.

The new app, called EcoHub, will initially be tested with and available to residents of the Pecan Street demonstration project, a smart grid living community in Austin.

"For the first time we're able to put one of our Smart Grid solutions into the hands of actual consumers, thanks in part to our partnership with Pecan Street," said Paul Pebbles, global manager, Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Services. "Down the line, we hope this app can be a beneficial tool for all drivers of electric vehicles."

The EcoHub app works by pulling overall home energy usage data, provided by an energy data source, such as a utility or smart meter company. The app also collects Volt charging information from OnStar subscribers and Volt owners who opt in for EcoHub. The energy use data is then aggregated to show vehicle owners exactly how much energy is being used on a daily, monthly or yearly basis, while showing what percentage of that energy went to charging the Volt. Based on electricity rates, the data is broken down to show the cost of both total energy usage and Volt charging energy use.

The 2013 Volt can travel an average of 38 miles on one full electric charge before its onboard gas-powered electric generator seamlessly switches on.

"We've found that Volt owners love to keep track of and compare their personal driving stats, like electric miles driven for example," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. "The EcoHub app is another great example of using the vehicle's embedded technology to provide Volt owners with useful information."

In addition, the EcoHub app will include a "Ticker" screen that shows drivers the national values for Total Miles Driven, Total EV Miles Driven and Gallons of Fuel Saved.

"The 'Ticker' screen is a nice addition because it allows drivers to see that they are part of a national effort to reduce fuel use by contributing to the growing number of electric miles driven." said Pebbles.

While the app will be tested with and only be available to Volt drivers in Pecan Street project at first, OnStar hopes to make the app available for all Volt owners in the near future.

OnStar's Smart Grid research is made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.
About Pecan Street Inc.

Headquartered at the University of Texas at Austin, Pecan Street Inc. is the country's first non-profit research and development consortia focused on energy, wireless and consumer electronics technology. Its demonstration project in Austin's Mueller community is testing cutting edge energy and consumer products, including rooftop solar, home energy storage and electric vehicles, in real homes, with real customers on a real electrical grid. Learn more at www.pecanstreet.org.

OnStar and Google demonstrate concept service for managing charging Chevrolet Volts with renewable energy

Concept of the service and mobile app for renewable charging. Click to enlarge.

OnStar and Google are working together to demonstrate a new OnStar service for managing the charging of Chevrolet Volts with renewable energy, using the 17 Chevrolet Volts in Google’s “Gfleet” based at the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

The technology is enabled as OnStar receives a signal from PJM Interconnection that shows the percentage of available renewable energy on the grid. Data from this forecast is downloaded to the OnStar cloud, or Advanced Telematics Operating Management System (ATOMS). OnStar uses this signal to simultaneously manage the charging of many Volts and to match the renewable energy availability. A mobile app could also be used to alert customers when renewable energy is available.

This demonstration shows that in the near future customers will have a real signal of demand for renewable energy. As customers configure their Volts to favor renewable energy for their charging cycle, this real demand signal will influence utilities to tap into renewable sources.

—Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of planning and business development

Renewables in the US grid
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), US electricity generation in 2010 was 70% fossil fuels (coal 44.9%, natural gas 23.8%); 20% nuclear; and 10% renewable, of which 6.2% was conventional hydropower. Wind accounted for 2.3%.
EIA forecasts that the mix in 2035 will shift to include 39% coal; 27% natural gas; and 16% renewables. Non-hydro renewable sources will than double between 2010 and 2035, according to the EIA forecast.

Demonstrations are taking place this week at the 2012 DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. OnStar will also be demonstrating the company’s Demand Response and Time-of-Use Rate solutions.

PJM data shows that peak time for renewable energy generation from wind is generally between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. With this in mind, it would be possible for customers to use OnStar’s Smart Grid solutions to further reduce their carbon footprint and save money by charging during these off-peak times.

If the renewable energy service goes into production, customers interested in using it would simply need to sign up. OnStar would then regulate their charging using the renewable energy signal.

The renewable energy technology is the latest addition to OnStar’s suite of Smart Grid solutions. OnStar has also developed intelligent energy management technology solutions including:

• Demand response. This solution connects utilities to companies that have intelligent energy management products. These companies can use OnStar to manage energy use for Volt customers who opt in for the service. This future service allows the customer to save money on energy costs while enabling more efficient use of the electric grid.

• Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. OnStar can receive dynamic TOU pricing from utilities and notify Volt owners of the rate plan offers via email. Owners will be able to use OnStar to load the rate plans directly into their vehicle and access them to schedule charging during lower-rate periods.

• Charging data. OnStar also sends and receives EV data that helps utility providers without having to interface with the vehicle’s electric vehicle supply equipment. This includes location-based EV data that identifies charging locations and determines potential load scenarios.

Founded in 1927, PJM Interconnection ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 60 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region’s transmission grid, which includes 62,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion.

Source: Green Car Congress

OnStar, Verizon unveil second-generation research vehicle at CES; Volt with Verizon 4G LTE Network

OnStar and Verizon Wireless unveiled a second-generation connected research vehicle at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The static Chevrolet Volt research concept vehicle focuses on a comprehensive in-vehicle experience as in-vehicle energy management applications.

Users in the car have access to streaming content from the cloud enabled by the Verizon 4G LTE network and building on OnStar’s Advanced Telematics Operating System (ATOMS). Prototype applications demonstrate streaming content, sharing content throughout the vehicle, rear seat infotainment management, and video chat via Skype: vehicle to home, vehicle to mobile device, or vehicle to vehicle.

Additionally, OnStar built on its work with smart grid technology and home connectivity to develop in-vehicle energy management applications:

• OnStar RemoteLink: Full integration of OnStar’s RemoteLink mobile application, giving the Volt owner the opportunity to access remote vehicle information and services.

• Real time diagnostics and Eco Routing: Volt owners can access charge status, distance on remaining charge, find and reserve charging locations and manage pertinent Volt information and vehicle diagnostics.

• Home Energy Management: OnStar allows users to control the home thermostat, lights, garage door and other systems directly from the vehicle.

Following the 2011 CES joint research vehicle, OnStar’s advanced innovation engineering team continued collaboration with Verizon’s LTE Innovation Center to further investigate the potential of the connected vehicle. The takeaway was developing a more holistic cloud-connected in-vehicle experience.

While the applications shown in the static Chevrolet Volt research vehicle are only conceptual, they demonstrate future opportunities the OnStar ATOMS Cloud capabilities can provide in combination with broadband accessibility, OnStar said.

Source: Green Car Congress

OnStar to Show Smart Energy Management Solutions

PRESS RELEASE:

Smart energy management technologies from OnStar that will help electric vehicle customers and utilities plan better and save money will be demonstrated at DistribuTECH, the utility industry's leading smart grid conference and exposition.

Each of the demonstrations will highlight how OnStar can be used with smart grid technology to efficiently manage the electricity demand of electric vehicles. A Chevrolet Volt, the world’s first electric vehicle with extended range capability, will be used in the demonstrations.

“Managing electricity supply and demand has always been extremely complex,” said Nick Pudar, Vice President of Planning and Business Development at OnStar. “The embedded technology of OnStar allows for accurate monitoring and controlling of the energy used by electric vehicles like the Volt. No other telematics service can offer these capabilities.”

The demonstrations will include:

• Demand response – This solution will connect utilities to companies like GE and Comverge that have intelligent energy management products. GE and Comverge will demonstrate the use of OnStar to continually monitor and manage energy usage for Volt customers who opt in for the service. This future service allows the customer to save money on energy costs while enabling more efficient use of the electric grid.

• Time-of-Use (TOU) rates -- OnStar can receive dynamic time-of-use pricing from utilities and notify Volt owners of the rate plan offers via email. Owners can use OnStar to load the rate plans directly into their vehicle and access them to schedule charging during lower-rate periods.

• Data gathering -- OnStar also sends and receives EV data that helps utility providers without having to interface with the vehicle’s electric vehicle supply equipment. This includes location-based EV data that identifies charging locations and determines potential load scenarios.

• Vehicle-to-Home Integration Technology—OnStar will be exhibiting alongside Tendril at Booth #1329 to provide attendees with a look at how the Tendril technology platform enables vehicle-to-home integration, simplifying energy management and the implications for future connected home applications.

The integration and demonstration of these OnStar smart energy management technologies is part of a demonstration program with participating utilities across the United States. The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most

other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

Hyundai Introduces Blue Link Telematics Platform at 2011 CES in Las Vegas

Hyundai used the massive Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas as the venue to introduce Blue Link, an all-new telematics platform exclusive to Hyundai models. This new telematics platform will offer more than 30 connectivity features on future models. The Hyundai announcement came shortly after OnStar announced that it would offer non-GM vehicles retrofit participation in the OnStar network via an aftermarket OnStar Mirror.

Blue Link will be available on all future Hyundai models, starting with Sonata and the Veloster 3-door coupe later this year. A variety of different features will be available at launch, including applications such as a maintenance alert that helps drivers identify and schedule service; an Eco-Coach that improves efficient driving; restaurant ratings; and remote door lock/unlock capabilities. Blue Link will also offer remote vehicle start, which allows a driver to heat or cool the car before driving; geofence, which can send a text if a driver has ventured outside prescribed borders or time constraints; and stolen vehicle slowdown to help police recover a stolen vehicle.

Hyundai projects Blue Link to be available across the majority of the lineup by the 2013 model year.

As part of the Blue Link launch, Hyundai also will provide Blue Link Assurance on Blue Link-equipped vehicles, which includes core safety services for an introductory period. These safety services include: Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance. After the introductory period, owners of Blue Link-equipped vehicles can choose to extend these and other services as desired. Blue Link package subscription fees will be announced this spring on Sonata.

Blue Link services were developed with targeted packaging options that are tailored to distinct telematics user groups.

GM Relaunches OnStar With Facebook, and New Infotainment Safety Testing Lab

PRESS RELEASE:

OnStar is launching new services, capabilities and technology for its nearly 6 million subscribers as part of a top-to-bottom realignment of the company’s long-term strategy built around ‘responsible connectivity.’

OnStar plans to pilot major innovations that significantly increase drivers’ in-car connection to the world, while extending its safety leadership in the automotive industry.

“These initiatives are all about OnStar’s role in keeping drivers and passengers connected and safe,” said OnStar President Chris Preuss. “Building on the rock-solid foundation of OnStar’s safety and security platform, we were given a clear directive to develop OnStar as one of the chief pillars in defining General Motors’ business going forward.”

“With the extremely high awareness and respect for the OnStar brand, we’ve created a long-term vision that includes new in-vehicle hardware, an all-new IT infrastructure and a host of new partnerships and services that provide the basis for growth,” Preuss continued.

Simultaneous events were held in New York, Austin, San Francisco and Miami to relaunch the OnStar brand.

New Technology Testing

OnStar subscribers and technology insiders got a first look at OnStar’s new technologies that are enabled through the ninth generation hardware:

• Audio Facebook Updates: OnStar showcased in-car social media interactions that are being tested. If implemented, Audio Facebook Updates would allow OnStar subscribers to verbally update their Facebook status message through audio recordings and/or listen to their most recent news feed messages through the OnStar Virtual Advisor service.
• Voice Texting: OnStar revealed beta tests for voice-based SMS (short message service). This feature would enable customers to have their text messages read to them using Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth technology allows users to connect their mobile device to their vehicle and receive automated text messages. With one button press, on the steering wheel, users can reply to a text by verbally selecting a preset response.

OnStar MyLink

OnStar announced the OnStar MyLink sub-brand for mobile phone applications. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac mobile apps powered by OnStar will allow owners to remotely activate all functions available on a traditional key fob, including remote start, horn and lights and door locks and unlocks securely from select smartphones. Versions have already been shown for the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range capability and the all-new Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan.

Redesigned IT Infrastructure

OnStar revealed its Advanced Telematics Operations Management System (ATOMS) computing platform, one of the most powerful and comprehensive machine-to-machine telematics systems in the world. ATOMS allows for advanced geo-boxing and voice-texting engines, including Audio Facebook Updates. OnStar services are rigorously tested to ensure they are consistent with GM’s safe driver principles and help reduce distracted driving.

OnStar Developers Challenge

The OnStar Developers Challenge invites students from leading universities, to design the next voice-based technology that will keep drivers safely connected when they are on the road. The audio-focused Application Programming Interface (API) competition for select universities will allow Engineering, Interaction Design and Human Computer Interaction students to submit original and compelling voice-enabled applications. The OnStar Developers Challenge website, www.onstardeveloperchallenge.com, launched today.

9th Generation of Hardware

OnStar also unveiled its ninth generation hardware that improves the user experience with new natural voice recognition, Bluetooth phonebook, improved navigation, the ability to work with advanced traffic management and severe weather alert services, also known as geo-boxed notification services.

Furthering Its Safety Leadership

Additionally OnStar continues to enhance its core safety focus:

• In coordination with the GM Foundation, OnStar is providing a grant of $500,000 to the International Center for Automotive Medicine (http://automotivemedicine.org) at the University of Michigan Health System for research related to the prediction of injury severity level after a crash. This grant, along with three years of actual OnStar crash data, will enable OnStar and the University of Michigan Health System to link crash data to actual physical injuries sustained in vehicle crashes. The revolutionary research, conducted over approximately 18 months, will look at 1,000 incidents and ultimately will allow OnStar to predict not only the severity of a crash, but assist emergency care providers by providing the probability of certain types of injuries sustained by crash victims.

OnStar, in coordination with the GM Foundation, also is providing $100,000 to the CDC Foundation to allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to convene an expert panel to develop a multi-site study design in various states. The study’s purpose will be to assess the correlation of real-time injury predictions sent directly from crash data with actual injury severity. The study will set the stage for broad collaborative research directed at optimizing the potential for automatic crash notification technologies to save lives.

• OnStar unveiled First Assist, an enhancement of its existing emergency services. The First Assist service allows certified Emergency Advisors to obtain critical information and provide important instructions to subscribers until first responders arrive. Emergency situations can include the aftermath of a car crash or the birth of a child. After determining the nature of the situation, Advisors can provide rapid guidance, which may result in potentially lifesaving actions. OnStar Advisors providing this service are specially trained and certified by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch™ (NAED) using the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) protocol. This service, available at no additional cost to active OnStar subscribers, will complement the efforts of public safety professionals.
  

A New Marketing Campaign

OnStar revealed a new marketing campaign that aligns with its new business strategy.

“The new campaign retains all of the core strengths of safety and security that OnStar is known for, but also adds the idea of ‘powerfully simple connectivity,’” said OnStar Chief Marketing Officer Sam Mancuso. “The creative showcases how we provide our customers connectivity to all the things that matter most to them, like family, friends, social media tools and our OnStar Advisors.”

The campaign, created by OnStar’s ad agency Campbell-Ewald, will focus on the theme “Live On”– Safely connecting you in ways you never thought possible.” Print, broadcast and online executions of the campaign launch Monday, Sept. 20.

OnStar’s new business strategy is built around a highly successful subscription model and leaves open the possibility for expansion beyond the automotive industry.

“One aspect of our business that will never change is our live Advisors who are just a simple button press away,” said Preuss. “They are what set us apart, and they’ll continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

For more information on OnStar’s innovation, the company’s recently launched marketing campaign and photos from the events, visit: http://media.gm.com/product/public/us/en/onstar/news.html

OnStar Leverages Google technology to Connect Customers to the Chevrolet Volt

Press Release:

Detroit – OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.

The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

A new “navigation” tab has been added to the home screen of the existing Chevrolet Volt mobile app on the Android smartphone. When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed on Google MapsTM , as well as their location relative to it.

From this map screen, owners can use Google search by voice to vocally search for a destination with their Android handset, and see where that destination is related to the Volt’s current location. They can then elect to send the destination from their Android phone to their Volt and have OnStar Turn-By-Turn directions to their destination waiting for them when they start the vehicle. Additionally, the owner will also have the option to get voice-guided directions to their vehicle from their current location, using Google Maps Navigation.

The new functionalities won’t be available on the Volt mobile app at launch, but are planned for a 2.0 version.

The smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt made its debut at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and is planned to launch in tandem with the Volt this fall. Launch features include:

· Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)

· Flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing

· Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges

· Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest

· Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge

· Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings

· Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime

· Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

“These two new features add to the suite of mobile application features for Volt that given Volt owners a personal connection to their car,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Connecting customers to their cars is one way we’re using technology to provide value and a real useful benefit to the Volt owner.”

# # #

About General Motors

General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.