GM to Produce Volt Batteries In House
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GM to Produce Volt Batteries In House
GM to Produce Volt Batteries In House
Written by: Bob Golfen
01/12/2009 - 07:28 PM
Detroit, Michigan
General Motors will produce its own advanced lithium-ion battery technology in a U.S. plant, building the battery packs to power electric vehicles such as the upcoming Chevy Volt, the automaker announced Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The plant would be the first manufacturing facility to produce lithium-ion batteries in the United States operated by a major automaker. GM plans to open the factory to produce Volt battery packs in Michigan, CEO Rick Wagoner said in making the announcement.
Preparation for the factory will begin this year with production planned for 2010.
“Yes, General Motors is getting back into the battery business,” Wagoner said. “Our facility will be the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant operated by a major automaker in the U.S. And of course it will create new ‘green’ jobs.”
The Chevrolet Volt, anextended-range plug-in electric vehicle, is planned for production in 2010. It can travel up to 40 miles on electricity before using any gasoline, which powers a generator that charges the batteries for further travel.
“The design, development and production of advanced batteries must be a core competency for GM, and we’ve been rapidly building our capability and resources to support this direction,” Wagoner said. “This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile and to the Chevrolet Volt – a commitment that now totals more than $1 billion.”
The Volt’s lithium-ion battery cells will be supplied by LG Chem. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, Mich., will build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM’s battery facility is operational, the automaker said.
Written by: Bob Golfen
01/12/2009 - 07:28 PM
Detroit, Michigan
General Motors will produce its own advanced lithium-ion battery technology in a U.S. plant, building the battery packs to power electric vehicles such as the upcoming Chevy Volt, the automaker announced Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The plant would be the first manufacturing facility to produce lithium-ion batteries in the United States operated by a major automaker. GM plans to open the factory to produce Volt battery packs in Michigan, CEO Rick Wagoner said in making the announcement.
Preparation for the factory will begin this year with production planned for 2010.
“Yes, General Motors is getting back into the battery business,” Wagoner said. “Our facility will be the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant operated by a major automaker in the U.S. And of course it will create new ‘green’ jobs.”
The Chevrolet Volt, anextended-range plug-in electric vehicle, is planned for production in 2010. It can travel up to 40 miles on electricity before using any gasoline, which powers a generator that charges the batteries for further travel.
“The design, development and production of advanced batteries must be a core competency for GM, and we’ve been rapidly building our capability and resources to support this direction,” Wagoner said. “This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile and to the Chevrolet Volt – a commitment that now totals more than $1 billion.”
The Volt’s lithium-ion battery cells will be supplied by LG Chem. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, Mich., will build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM’s battery facility is operational, the automaker said.
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I agree on it being a good move. While it might not be the cheapest, it allows them more control over preventing delays, etc. due to the battery pack.
IMO having direct control and being able to fix the problems yourself instead of having to wait on someone else is worth the additional costs.
IMO having direct control and being able to fix the problems yourself instead of having to wait on someone else is worth the additional costs.
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Edit:
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
The batteries will be manufactured in Korea, but the packs will be assembled in Michigan. 
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
DETROIT—General Motors Corp. on Monday named LG Chem Ltd. of South Korea as the lithium-ion battery supplier for its Chevrolet Volt electric car, and the automaker also announced the seeds of what could become a battery development and manufacturing center in Michigan.
LG Chem will make the battery cells in Korea and ship them to the U.S., where they will be assembled into packs at an unspecified GM factory in Michigan, both companies said at the North American International Auto Show.
LG Chem will make the battery cells in Korea and ship them to the U.S., where they will be assembled into packs at an unspecified GM factory in Michigan, both companies said at the North American International Auto Show.
Last edited by jg95z28; Jan 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM.
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Edit:
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
The batteries will be manufactured in Korea, but the packs will be assembled in Michigan.
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
The batteries will be manufactured in Korea, but the packs will be assembled in Michigan.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,173
Edit:
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
The batteries will be manufactured in Korea, but the packs will be assembled in Michigan.
A little different from the story I read:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sear...11435981?IADID
The batteries will be manufactured in Korea, but the packs will be assembled in Michigan.
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From: The Land of Pleasant Living
It's too bad they couldn't go to foreign countries and drive their industries out of business, or out of the country like they do here! I agree, it's a good thing for them to keep as much in house as possible. Not that I GARA about electric cars or anything!
Last edited by SCNGENNFTHGEN; Jan 20, 2009 at 01:24 AM.
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The battery cells will be manufactured in Korea then shipped here for assembly into battery packs in a GM facility. GM hopes to someday manufacturer the cells here, but a lot will need to happen for that to come to fruition.
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The Volt’s lithium-ion battery cells will be supplied by LG Chem. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, Mich., will build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM’s battery facility is operational, the automaker said.
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LG Chem will make the battery cells in Korea and ship them to the U.S., where they will be assembled into packs at an unspecified GM factory in Michigan, both companies said at the North American International Auto Show.
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Does anyone have information on how much radiation is emitted by lithium ion batteries like the one the Volt will use. I remember hearing a lot about radiation from cell phones and I'm looking at that first picture showing the battery back in the traditional driveshaft/ exhaust area of the car.... I'm wondering about the safety of having that large battery so close to my nuts.
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Does anyone have information on how much radiation is emitted by lithium ion batteries like the one the Volt will use. I remember hearing a lot about radiation from cell phones and I'm looking at that first picture showing the battery back in the traditional driveshaft/ exhaust area of the car.... I'm wondering about the safety of having that large battery so close to my nuts.
No, wait... you're serious!?!
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From: Okemos, MI
Does anyone have information on how much radiation is emitted by lithium ion batteries like the one the Volt will use. I remember hearing a lot about radiation from cell phones and I'm looking at that first picture showing the battery back in the traditional driveshaft/ exhaust area of the car.... I'm wondering about the safety of having that large battery so close to my nuts.
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