General Motors (GM) is doubling the size of its automotive battery lab in the US to expedite the development of electrically driven vehicles for consumers.
The $8m investment will be used to enlarge the Global Battery Systems Lab used for on-site testing of all current and new battery cell, module and pack technologies on the GM Technical Center campus by 30,000sqft. to 63,000sqft.
The addition will be located adjacent to the existing lab inside the Alternative Energy Center facility. Areas previously used for engine testing will be renovated for battery development, with construction beginning this month and scheduled for completion in the summer.
GM’s Global Battery Systems Lab equipped with 176 test channels and 49 thermal chambers duplicating real-world driving patterns, hot and cold temperatures and calendar life is used by its team of more than 1,000 engineers working on advanced batteries and electrically driven vehicles.
More than half of the current lab is dedicated to testing the electrochemical battery cells and their enclosures, known as modules. The lab’s remaining floor space is committed to evaluating completed battery packs.
As a part of the expansion process powertrain test cells previously used for engine altitude testing will be retrofitted for crush, penetration, water immersion, overcharge, discharge and short circuit tests.
Reuse storage areas will prepare batteries before tests and provide secured rooms for supplier evaluation. Reuse space previously occupied by engine dynamometers will be used for manufacturing processes, such as laser welding and cell stacking.
The expansion will add capability to areas such as charger development and integration, thermal development which includes radiant heat, thermal stability and thermal shock testing and finally battery storage.
The Global Battery Systems Lab equipment and test automation systems are being integrated with GM’s global network of battery labs, including Mainz Kastel, Germany and Shanghai, China, to facilitate data exchange and work sharing.
Micky Bly, executive director of global electrical systems, hybrids, EVs and batteries at GM, said: “GM is building on its commitment to lead the development of electric vehicle technology – from battery cell design to the charging infrastructure – and today’s investment furthers our work in this area.
”This addition will benefit consumers by helping us put cleaner, more efficient vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range, on the road more quickly and affordably.”