GM, GE to Jointly Develop EV Recharging Infrastructure in China
GM says its development deal with GE will promote acceptance of EVs and facilitate their use in the world’s largest vehicle market.
General Motors and General Electric will collaborate on electric-vehicle recharging infrastructure in China, with GE buying an unspecified number of Chevrolet Volts for developmental work at its laboratories in Shanghai.
The companies will install GE WattStation and Durastation charging systems in their headquarters areas and in an EV demonstration zone in Shanghai.
Chevrolet Volt plugged into Wattstation.
Shanghai has been designated as China’s first EV pilot city by the Chinese government.
A memorandum of understanding was signed today at the 2011 China International Electric Power and Electric Engineering Technology Exhibition in Shanghai.
Ray Bierzynski, executive director for electrification strategy-GM China, represented the auto maker at the signing ceremony.
“GM regards electrification as a key global industry trend. We are bringing our solutions for the electrification of the motor vehicle to China as part of our commitment to the sustainable development of the automotive industry,” he says.
“We look forward to working with GE to promote the acceptance and infrastructure for use of vehicles powered by electricity in the world’s largest vehicle market.”
Bierzynski was appointed to his EV position in June. He previously served as president of the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai, jointly owned and operated by Shanghai GM and SAIC.
The technical center is the hub of a joint EV-development program announced this week between Shanghai GM and partner SAIC.
“The electric-vehicle era is not only about cars powered by greener fuels,” says Albert Wong, chief commercial officer-GE China. “A convenient charging-facility network will play a key role in its success.
“To make it a reality in China, we bring innovative charging-station solutions and are engaging grid operators, auto makers, city governments and end customers to advance their deployment.”
The GM-GE linkup announcement comes two days after GM China opened the first phase of its GM China Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai. The facility includes laboratories for battery-cell material and testing, metallography and electrochemical laboratories, and materials and formability.
GM China will begin selling the U.S.-built Volt in China beginning in December.
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