Update: Here is a video of the blogger Q&A session with GM CEO Rick Wagoner hosted by NextGear
I spent the morning at a Q&A with Rick Wagoner (with other auto and clean tech bloggers). Overall, the message from Rick was consistent with others with whom I spoke. But he also noted the future is wide open with respect to alternative energy technology. Here are a few take-aways from this talk.
Coskata relationship just a start
GM’s partnership with Coskata was based on a broad-based search for a company that has a real chance at commercializing cellulosic ethanol. Coskata’s technology has a great opportunity for feedstock versatility that can revolutionize the industry. Moreso, having a healthy Coskata allows GM to more viably approach other parties (including the U.S. Government) regarding distribution options. Currently, the oil industry is resistant to distributing ethanol (this is only part of the story; relatively low volumes of corn ethanol is the other portion). Coskata’s (and others like Range Fuels) make broad availability of E85 more viable and gives GM’s outlook some additional legs.
The most interesting element, however, is that GM would consider additional partnerships of this type in the future.
