MotorAuthority

GM will build Volt battery factory in the U.S. with LG Chem

Posted Mon Jan 12 2009 5:02 PM by Alex Kaufmann

The chassis of the Chevrolet Volt will feature a 400 pound lithium-ion battery

Despite the movement towards electric and hybrid propulsion by many manufacturers over the last few years, none of them actually manufacture the most important component of the vehicles – the batteries. That’s about to change as GM builds its own factory in Michigan to produce battery packs for its crucial Volt plug-in hybrid in 2010. Construction is expected to begin early this year and expected to reach full output by mid-2010.

General Motors will work with LG Chem, who will supply the individual lithium-ion cells and these will then be assembled along with other battery electronics and components to produce the Volt’s 16 kWh T-shaped battery, which is roughly 6 feet long and weighs nearly 400 pounds,

The production of battery components locally is important according to GM CEO Rick Wagoner. "Our announcements are part of a comprehensive advanced battery strategy for GM that is expanding along two pathways," Wagoner said. "First, we're identifying core competencies - such as battery research, development and assembly - and integrating these fundamentals into our product development and manufacturing operations. We believe this will become a competitive advantage for GM, and will be critical to GM's long-term success. Secondly, we're building a roster of battery suppliers and academic experts from around the globe, and leveraging their specialized abilities to develop battery chemistries and cell designs, as well as future automotive battery engineers."

LG Chem has been working with GM on the Volt project for the past 16 months and supplies the batteries used in the prototypes.

Despite widespread speculation that GM will not be able to bring the Volt to market by late 2010, like it has promised, this announcement comes as further evidence that they are aware of the challenges and working towards that goal.

Story Tags:

• 2010 Chevy Volt
• Chevrolet
• Chevrolet Volt
• GM
• plug-in hybrid
• Spy shots
• Volt

Reader Comments

• Mon Jan 12 2009 8:52 PM

  beyondgreen says

  It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to charge and drive an electric car.The electricity to charge the car could come from solar or wind generated electricity.If all gasoline cars,trucks,and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of N.D.This past year the high cost of fuel so seriously damaged our economy and society that the ripple effects will be felt for years to come.Why not invest in setting up some alternative energy projects on a national basis, create clean cheap electricity,create millions of badly needed new green collar jobs, and get out from under our dependence on foreign oil.What a win-win situation that would be. There is a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW by Jeff Wilson. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in alternative energy. www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

• Tue Jan 13 2009 7:24 PM

  mburleigh8 says

  Thats good, I hope they do some good with my $.