GM partners with Hub ethanol firm

General Motors Corp. says it has taken an ownership stake and formed a partnership with a Boston-based renewable energy company.

Mascoma Corp. is working to develop cellulosic ethanol from wood chips, waste paper sludge, and switch grass.

The deal announced today represents GM's second partnership with an ethanol startup this year. GM announced a similar relationship with Illinois-based Coskata Inc. at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

GM says its collaboration with Mascoma will help develop non-grain forms of ethanol for flexible-fuel vehicles, which run on a mix of gasoline and ethanol. (AP)