Volt Lithium Ion
General Motors Plans Volt Battery Factory in Michigan
By the end of 2010, General Motors expects to have its first production ready electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, in showrooms across the USA. Highly anticipated, the Volt represents a new direction the giant automaker is going by producing a line of highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles for the masses.
Before GM can produce one Volt, the company has to have a factory in place that can produce the four hundred pound lithium-ion battery pack that will power the car. To that end, GM has announced that a factory in Michigan will assemble the fuel cells that will be made by South Korea's LG Chem Corporation, investing $30 million to get the job done.
"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."
A location for the plant hasn't been finalized, but the car company is in talks with state and local officials about the placement of the facility. GM expects that the facility will be put quickly in place, allowing the company to start output by early 2010.
"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."
The Volt is expected to be the first of many electric cars built by GM over the coming years. Supplement power will be provided by a 1.4L I4 engine, but on electric power alone the Volt will have a forty mile range. GM expects that the car will appeal to commuters who will be able to plug in their cars each night for a recharge and go about their business the following day.
GM has recently displayed the Cadillac Converj concept, a stylish two door coupe, that is yet another example how the Volt platform could be utilized. GM expects that the Volt will also be sold in Europe under its Opel brand and perhaps in Australia as a Holden model.
About the Author
Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Chevrolet Impala brake pads and Chevrolet Avalanche brake pads.
 Hitachi WH10DL 108 Volt Li Ion Micro Impact Driver US $100.00 
|
 Hitachi DB10DL 108 Volt Li Ion Micro Driver Drill US $90.20
|
 Milwaukee 12 Volt Li ion Sub Compact 2 Tool Combo Kit 2490 22 US $102.50
|
 DeWalt DCK274L 18 volt lithium ion drill kit US $200.00
|
 Bosch PS40 2A 12 Volt Max Lithium Ion Impact Driver w 30 Minute Charger US $48.52
|
 Makita BL1815 18 Volt Lithium Ion Two Battery Set New US $118.95
|
 Black Decker 20 Volt Cordless Drill 20V Lithium Ion LDX120 Compact R US $21.50
|
 DEWALT DCD985 20 V 20VOLT MAX LITHIUM ION HAMMERDRILL DRIVER DEWALTS LATEST US $61.00
|
 RYOBI JG001 12 Volt Lithium Ion Auto Hammer Kit US $31.00
|
 Milwaukee 12 Volt Li ion Cordless Sub Scanner Detection Tool Kit 2290 21 US $70.00
|
 Craftsman DieHard 192 Volt Lithium Ion Battery Pack 315PP2010 130156005 US $36.00
|
 Milwaukee 12 Volt Li ion Cordless Multi Tool 2426 20 US $39.77
|
 RYOBI 18 VOLT LITHIUM ION FOUR PIECE COMBO KIT P845 US $90.99
|
 RYOBI 18 Volt High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery ONE Li Ion US $32.90
|
 New Makita BJR182 18V 18 Volt LXT Lithium Ion Reciprocating Saw US $59.00
|
 Makita BSS611 18V 18 Volt LXT Lithium Ion 6 1 2 Cordless Circular Saw US $69.00
|
 New Makita DC18RA 72 18V 18 Volt Lithium Ion Battery Charger US $29.00
|
 1 New Makita BL1830 18 Volt 18V LXT Lithium Ion Battery BL 1830 US $65.00
|
 Hitachi DS18DSAL 18 Volt 1 2 Li ion Drill Driver NEW US $56.95
|
 Makita BML185 18V LXT 18 Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Work Light Flashlight US $29.00
|
 2 New Makita BL1830 18 Volt 18V LXT Lithium Ion Batteries BL 1830 US $132.50
|
 New DeWalt DC825 18V 18 Volt Lithium Ion 1 4 Cordless Impact Drill Driver US $77.00
|
 Craftsman 17438 Nextec 12 volt Lithium Ion Cordless Multi Tool TOOL ONLY US $9.99
|
 Makita BHP454 18V 18 Volt 1 2 Lithium Ion Hammer Drill US $109.99
|
 1 New Makita LXT BL1830 18 Volt 18V Lithium Ion Battery US $94.99
|
Volt Lithium Ion article
