General Motors Co will boost global spending on electric and autonomous vehicles to $35 billion through 2025, a 30% jump over its most recent forecast as it pursues EV leadership, people briefed on the matter told Reuters.
As part of that spending, the No. 1 U.S. automaker will build two additional U.S. battery plants and move ahead some of its EV investments, said the sources, who asked not to be identified. In November, GM upped its spending plans from $20 billion, a figure that was announced in March before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the auto industry.
The expected announcement of increased spending by GM comes less than a month after rival Ford Motor Co (F.N) upped its EV spending by more than a third to over $30 billion by 2030. The combined $65 billion in commitments by the largest U.S. automakers, as well as increased spending by EV leader Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) and startups including Lucid and Rivian reflect the EV arms race that has left some automakers like Lordstown Motors Corp (RIDE.O) scrambling to raise more funds.