Battery cells are the basis of any battery, but they don’t guarantee a first-class, finished product.  All of the critical development to take cells and design, develop and build the industry’s most sophisticated electric vehicle battery pack is being led by GM in the U.S.  With more than 15 years of advanced battery development experience and an extensive powertrain controls strategy, GM has industry leading expertise in this area.

GM’s role in the Chevy Volt’s battery value chain:

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GM writes the software and produces the electronic controls that operate the battery. GM designs the battery pack. GM integrates the battery into the vehicle. GM designs the vehicle, and maximizes the battery’s capabilities to meet the Volt’s unique performance expectations, such as up to 40 miles of electric-only driving.

Controlling the entire battery development process, from individual cell management to vehicle integration is unique in the auto industry and gives GM a competitive advantage.  It improves vehicle integration and safety, and provides flexibility to quickly adapt to other chemistries or cells should they come along in the future.