GM awards A123 Systems contract for future battery packs

General Motors has awarded a production contract to A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium ion batteries and systems, for complete battery packs to be used in future GM electric vehicles to be sold in select global markets. 

The contract includes advanced Nanophosphate cells and fully integrated electronic components. The specific vehicles and brands will be announced at a later date. 

GM battery engineering teams have tested and validated the A123 battery chemistry at the automaker’s Global Battery Systems lab in Warren, Mich. Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production.     

“GM is committed to offering a full line of electrified vehicles - each of which calls for different battery specifications,” said Micky Bly, GM’s executive director - Global Electrical Systems, Infotainment and Electrification. “We work with a variety of battery developers and A123’s advanced Nanophosphate lithium ion technology offers ideal performance capabilities for a future electrified vehicle application.” 

This agreement builds on existing development contracts between GM and A123 focused on next-generation lithium ion battery technology at both the cell and system level. 

“Today’s announcement is the latest milestone in the partnership between GM and A123, and it showcases the type of collaboration between U.S. companies necessary to build a long-term domestic battery and electric vehicle industry,” said Jason Forcier, vice president of the Automotive Solutions Group at A123 Systems. 

“This is a testament to GM’s continued commitment to leading the adoption of vehicle electrification technologies, and we believe that our selection as GM’s supplier for this global vehicle program validates our system-level expertise in delivering fully integrated battery packs for electric vehicles.”