LaTanya Clanton works on the Spark EV battery line. GM is bringing all of its electric vehicle battery building capabilities in-house at Brownstown.
General Motors is bringing the production of its new battery pack for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV in-house to its Brownstown Township, Michigan, plant. The plant also builds the packs for the Chevy Volt, Opel Ampera and Cadillac ELR.
“Using our in-house engineering and manufacturing expertise enabled us to deliver a battery system that is more efficient and lighter than the 2014 Spark EV without sacrificing range,” said Larry Nitz, executive director of GM global transmission and electrification engineering, in a statement.
“Our successful working relationship with LG Chem has allowed us to deliver a new battery system for the Spark EV that helps us to better leverage our economies of scale.”
The new pack is 86 pounds lighter than its predecessor, although there is no increase in the range of the subcompact EV: it remains 82 miles. The MPGe is still 119.
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The old 21-kWh pack weighed in at 560 pounds while the new 19-kWh battery pack comes in at 474 pounds. The Spark EV is powered by a 140-hp electric motor, producing 400 lb-ft of torque. GM sells the little EV in California and Oregon exclusively. Priced at $19,995 with full federal incentives, the 2015 Spark EV features segment-leading technology including Siri Eyes Free, 4G LTE and DC Fast Charging.
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GM plans to invest $384 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant to build the next-generation Volt as well as two other cars. It also announced a $65 million investment at its Brownstown plant to expand the company’s advanced lithium-ion battery production and future battery systems.