GM Now Operates the Largest Auto Battery Lab in US

A recent expansion to General Motors’GMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
240 photos
Global Battery Systems Laboratory in Michigan has made it the largest automotive battery lab in the United States. The updates added 35,000 square feet to the lab to bring its total size up to 85,000 square feet. It can now test 112 battery packs simultaneously, up from 64, and test 120 battery cells simultaneously, up from 96.

“To maintain our battery leadership, this additional real estate is filled with new capability that will help us improve speed to market for our next generation of battery systems and help us improve the value equation to our customers around the world,” said Dough Parks, GM head of global product programs

The lab is responsible for testing and validating all of the battery packs in GM’s hybrid and electric vehicles. It also develops future battery and charging technology. It also acts as GM’s battery hub and validates the batteries developed by third parties and other GM labs.

This development is constant. For example, the 2013 Chevrolet VoltChevrolet VoltUnited States of America, 2011 > present3 photos
has three extra miles of range because of improvements of the battery pack.

“The new capabilities of this lab will enhance our engineers’ ability to design, develop, process and validate class-leading products to meet the needs of our growing customer base,” said Larry Nitz, GM’s head of electrification engineering.

GM also has battery labs in China and Germany developing batteries, but the Michigan lab is treated as the global headquarters.