GM China Testing EV Batteries at New Advanced Material Lab in Shanghai

General Motors China’s electric-vehicle battery-testing unit at the auto maker’s newly opened Advanced Material Laboratory in Shanghai is fully functional and engaged in research and development of battery cells.

The unit is testing batteries from various Chinese suppliers, with completion of the program targeted for first-quarter 2013, GM China President and Managing Director Kevin Wale says in a statement. The batteries then will undergo global-qualification testing.

The Advanced Materials Laboratory opened in September, 14 months after ground was broken in July 2010. In addition to the battery-cell test lab, the facility includes a battery-material lab, metallography and electrochemical lab, cell-fabrication lab and micro-foundry and formability lab.

All departments focus on lightweight materials and battery cells for the development of hybrids and plug-in extended-range EVs and other advanced technology vehicles.

The facility is the first phase of GM China’s 65,000-sq.-ft. (6,039-sq.-m) Advanced Technical Center. Wale confirms the second phase is under construction and will be operational in second-half 2012.

“Establishment of the ATC is proof of GM's commitment to advanced technology leadership,” Wale says. “Our local team is cooperating with GM teams around the globe to come up with solutions for sustainable development that will benefit China and the world.”

When completed, the ATC will house four major technical organizations: The China Science Lab; Vehicle Engineering Lab; Advanced Powertrain Engineering Lab; and Advanced Design Studio. There will be 62 testing laboratories and nine research laboratories.