Innovation & Technology

Battery Lab Expansion Means Expanded Focus on EVs

Sep 17, 2013 5:00 PM ET
Campaign: GM Greener Vehicles
The expansion of the Global Battery Systems Lab will accelerate the domestic development of advanced battery technology and expedite the introduction of electrically driven vehicles.

GM BeyondNow

General Motors has nearly tripled the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory, cementing the lab’s stature as the largest battery lab in North America owned and operated by a major auto manufacturer.

The latest addition of 50,000 square feet brings total square footage to 85,000. As a result of the expansion, the number of pack-level test channels increases from 64 to 112 and cell-level test channels from 96 to 120.

GM’s Global Battery Systems Lab has been responsible for testing and validating both battery cells and packs for all of GM’s vehicle electrification systems, including the battery systems for the Chevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, Chevrolet Spark EV and GM’s eAssist light electrification system.

The lab will also play a critical role in assuring GM’s current generation of electric vehicles maintains its battery leadership position. Teams will validate and test updates to existing chemistries and system designs to make the most of performance and reduce cost. For example, updates were made to the battery system in 2013 Chevrolet Volt that added three miles of EV range.