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First Ever Chevy Volt Battery Ready for Action

Probably the world's longest vehicle launch moved one step closer to becoming a reality after American manufacturer GM announced it has produced the first ever advanced lithium-ion battery for a mass-marketed electric vehicle. This happens exactly three years after the Volt concept was first shown...

"This is an important milestone for GM – and a critical step in bringing the Chevrolet Volt to market,” GM Chairman and interim CEO Ed Whitacre said.

The battery was produced at the Brownstown Battery Pack Assembly Plant, the place which was converted, in just five months, to accommodate the production of lithium-ion battery packs for the Volt and other electric vehicles. The battery which came off the assembly line yesterday is just a precursor of the regular production, set to begin at the facility in the fourth quarter of 2010.

In addition to the $43-million investment already made in the Brownstown plant, GM also announced is investing $700 million in eight Michigan facilities for Volt-related production, including $336 million in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant.

"The development of electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt is creating entire new sectors in the auto industry – an ‘ecosystem’ of battery developers and recyclers, builders of home and commercial charging stations, electric motor suppliers and much more,” Whitacre said.

These companies and universities are creating new jobs in Michigan and across the U.S. – green jobs – and they’re doing it by developing new technology, establishing new manufacturing capability, and strengthening America's long-term competitiveness.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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