GM opens studio dedicated to new electric cars

Anthony Fontanelle
December 11, 2007

It seems that General Motors is taking every step to make the Chevrolet Volt as successful as possible. Intended for building the next generation of plug-in electric vehicles just like the Volt, General Motors opened its newest studio.

The new facility was derived from GM’s management training center on GM’s Warren Technical Center. The studio homes clay and vinyl models of the future Volt generation designed to be powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. In case the battery dries up, a small gasoline motor or a hydrogen fuel cell will recharge the battery.

Showing itself for the first time in the 2007 Detroit Auto Show carrying the Chevrolet brand, the Volt’s electric after being fully charged in a household outlet can run with a 40 miles range. After using its stored electricity, the motor kick in and eventually recharges the battery, extending its power supply.

According to GM’s vice-president for global design, Ed Welburn, designers at the new studio that uses computer and small clay models have already cut 30 from the wind drag of the original concept.

"The easier it is to push this vehicle through the air, the less energy you use," said Nina Tortosa, the aerodynamic development engineer on the Volt.

GM had recently announced their plans of bringing the Volt to production in 2010 after choosing the best solution to the Volt’s biggest problem, the battery. To get the safest, most powerful and small battery that GM envisions the Volt to have, GM is comparing and testing two batteries from outside companies at the moment.

GM’s design director for flexible electric vehicles, Bob Boniface told reporters that compared to other GM vehicles; the Volt needed a separate facility for the company and its staff to work on its exceptional needs and challenges.

Designers working on the new prototypes are trying to make the car look different from others so it makes a statement, "but it can't look like a science project. It's got to be something that people want to buy." GM’s new studio employs 45 designers and sculptors to work on the Volt.

Rob Peterson, spokesman for GM confirmed that the company already has a schedule for battery development for the Volt. Now, GM engineers have conducted a test on one version that successfully met their expectations. In 2008, GM is also anticipating another version.

Two battery development contracts had been signed by GM with Compact Power Inc. of Michigan and Germany-based Continental Automotive Systems.

Similarly, Toyota Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. (maker of premium Acura CL control arm) are also currently on the plug-in hybrid vehicle work. Toyota is also facing the battery problem for the plug-in version of their revolutionary hybrid, the Prius. Honda on the other hand, after launching their FCX clarity is also developing a new dedicated hybrid hatchback rumored to be Honda’s Prius.

Source:  Amazines.com