GM has released some details of the second-generation Voltec electric-drive system that will power the 2016 Volt. According to Volt Lead Engineer Andrew Farah, the primary goals for the new powertrain were to improve performance, raise overall efficiency, and cut engine noise. The new Volt has a pair of electric motors, either or both of… Read more »
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GM researchers develop improved Li-Sulfur cathode material
A GM R&D team has developed a way to improve the cycling stability and Coulombic efficiency of lithium-sulfur (Li/S) batteries. The new paper, Polydopamine-Coated, Nitrogen-Doped, Hollow Carbon-Sulfur Double-Layered Core-Shell Structure for Improving Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, appears in the ACS journal Nano Letters. Lithium-sulfur chemistry theoretically promises impressive energy capacity, but practical Li-S batteries have been hindered… Read more »
GM to revamp Volt marketing efforts, enlisting existing owners as evangelists
GM is offering few details about the next-generation 2016 Volt, which is to be unveiled at the North American Auto show in Detroit in January. Speaking for an audience of Buick retirees last week, GM Executive VP Mark Reuss had no technical tidbits to offer, saying only that the new Volt will offer “better fuel economy… Read more »
GM developing next-generation power inverter
GM is developing a next-generation power inverter capable of 55 kW peak/30 kW continuous power. According to GM’s Sean Gleason, who gave a presentation on the project at the DOE’s Annual Merit Review, GM is almost two-thirds of the way through the $16.6-million project ($6 million of the funding support came from the DOE), which… Read more »
GM makes 401 EV charging stations available to employees
General Motors has installed 401 electric vehicle charging stations at its US production and business locations, in response to employee demand. Most are located at GM’s large engineering and corporate facilities in Michigan, where employee EV ownership is growing steadily. Charging is available free to GM employees and visitors. More than 20 percent of the… Read more »
GM redesigns Spark EV battery, consolidates all battery assembly at Brownstown plant
General Motors plans to bring all its EV battery building capabilities in-house, producing battery systems for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV at its battery assembly plant in Brownstown, Michigan, which also manufactures battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera and Cadillac ELR. The Spark’s redesigned battery system has a capacity of 19 kWh, and… Read more »
New GM facility to include electric motor laboratory
GM has begun construction of a new facility in Pontiac, Michigan for race engine design and development, which will also include an electric motor laboratory and gear center. The GM Performance and Racing Center will be home to about 100 employees, and is expected to be in use by mid-2015. The electric motor lab produces prototype motors… Read more »
GM execs discuss the challenges of marketing the Volt
After a little over three years on the market, is the Chevy Volt a hit or a miss? With 58,000 units sold, it’s one of the world’s top-selling plug-ins to date. However, its sales are still minuscule compared to its legacy gas-powered cousins. CNET’s Brooke Crothers recently spoke with Volt Marketing Manager Dora Norwicki and… Read more »
GM invests $449 million to upgrade Volt and battery plants
General Motors has announced that it will invest $449 million to upgrade manufacturing processes at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants. “These investments will help the next-generation Chevrolet Volt build on its position as the leader in electrified propulsion,” said Gerald Johnson, GM North America Manufacturing Vice President. The Hamtramck facility (affectionately known… Read more »
Echo Automotive offers aftermarket PHEV powertrains for Ford and GM vans
Echo Automotive, a developer of aftermarket plug-in hybrid powertrains, plans to extend its EchoDrive system to GM 2500 and 3500 vans, including the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, model years 2010-2014. EchoDrive is already available for Ford E-Series vans – orders are currently being accepted and production is scheduled to begin later this year. Production… Read more »