General Motors China has started fabricating and testing prototype battery cells and complete systems at its advanced technical center in Shanghai.
The company aims to speed up the development of batteries with improved energy density for smaller overall system sizes and reduce costs.
Researchers will be able to complete a series of processes such as battery material preparation, battery material coating, battery cell fabrication and battery cell performance testing using the technology.
Recently, the GM China advanced technical center produced its first batch of battery cells using fabrication methods.
The company said that the battery cell is a fundamental technology in determining the performance of plug-in vehicles.
The battery system incorporates the components needed to control cell temperature, manage battery charge and discharge, and package cells in vehicles.
GM China's science lab director John Du said that producing the first prototype battery cells is a big step forward for the GM China Advanced Technical Center.
"It is critical for enabling GM to develop smaller, lighter and lower-cost new-generation batteries," Du said.
