General Motors and LG Group have signed an agreement to extend their partnership in developing electric vehicles (EV), the companies announce today.
Electronics giant LG and Detroit-based GM have already worked together in the development of the Chevrolet Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera range-extended EVs, with LG supplying the battery cells.
The collaboration will help GM expand the number and types of electric vehicles it will produce, the firm say, while it could also help expand the reach of such models into new markets too.
The car giant must have some grand plans for electric car development, as it recently announce a similar agreement for the supply of battery systems for future EV models with A123 Systems (see story).
“Many solutions for tomorrow’s transportation needs may be available more quickly by building on our partnership strategy,” said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky. ”Consumers benefit by getting the latest fuel-saving technology faster if we work with the best suppliers and we save time and money in the development process.”
With its range-extended models already on sale in the US and soon to arrive in Europe, the car maker is planning the next stages of increasing EV use. With GM’s market share in China growing, it could be that the firms intend to produce a light, cheap electric vehicle which it could mass produce and sell in such burgeoning markets, as well as at home. However, for now all GM can say is that the ‘timing of the launch of the first vehicles resulting from the partnership will be announced closer to market readiness’, with no mention yet of what they will be like. Our bet is on small, city-type EVs that will help the car maker meet the U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 mpg (23.2km/l) set for the end of the 2025 model year.
