GM Touts Efficiency Gains, Calls for Energy Policy Panel

General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson urges the White House to create a blue ribbon commission to develop a cohesive, 30-year energy policy for the U.S.

Akerson tells an energy conference in Houston that America's more efficient use of energy coupled with growing domestic oil and gas production gives the U.S. a rare opportunity to "seize the energy high ground."

He says the presidential commission could sort out the trade-offs, set specific targets and establish timetables to shape a sustainable energy policy. He offers few specifics but says any such plan must include energy diversity and continuing efficiency improvements.

Akerson says GM's own goals include trimming the weight of new models by as much as 15% by the 2016 model year. He says hitting such a target would improve a vehicle's fuel economy roughly 10%.

GM will achieve its target in large part through better structural design, production innovations and the use of nano-steel, carbon fiber and other materials.

Akerson indicates GM also will enhance the fuel efficiency of its piston-powered vehicles by increasing its use of turbocharging, direct injection, variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation and diesel engines.

GM also aims to put 500,000 vehicles on the road by 2017 that employ some form of electrification, ranging from all-electric powertrains to so-called light hybrids that use a small electric motor to provide a brief assist during acceleration.

Akerson says the cumulative effect of GM's efficiency efforts since 2011 will save 12 billion gallons of fuel, the equivalent of 675 million barrels of oil, by 2017.

He also touts the use of natural gas as a fuel for commercial fleet vehicles. But Akerson notes the lack of infrastructure makes compressed and liquid natural gas impractical for many would-be users.