You’d think that with the new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, the Spark EV, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, and the revised ELR (and the upcoming Bolt EV) on the way, GM would consolidate its batteries and source them all from one supplier, right? Well, not exactly, as these different vehicles need different batteries for the varying nature of their powertrains.
For example, the 2016 Malibu Hybrid will use batteries from Hitachi Automotive Systems.
Hitachi notes that its 2016 Malibu Hybrid batteries will be potent 5,000W/kg prismatic lithium-ion battery cells. These cells manage to achieve a respectable 80Wh/kg energy density.
Hitachi says the cells employ heat resistant separators to ensure proper ionic conductivity between the positive and negative electrodes, which essentially means it’s designed to be both powerful and safe. Best of all, the battery maintained its high output power density during GM’s extreme high heat and cold weather evaluations – as durability of the battery setup was actually one of the key reasons it was adopted.
What’s interesting is that while the 2016 Chevrolet Volt will lend its drive unit to the 2016 Malibu Hybrid, GM will be swapping out the new Volt’s LG Chem-sourced batteries for the Hitachi ones before the drive unit is mated to the Malibu’s new 1.8L four-cylinder engine.
Here are the Hitachi’s cell specs:
Size (mm) 120×80×12
Weight (kg) 0.24
Average Voltage (V) 3.7
Capacity (Ah) 5.2
Output Density (W/kg) 5,000
Energy Density (Wh/kg) 80
Comments
I wonder if they’re trying to diversify their suppliers, cut costs, or if they don’t think LG will be able to produce sufficient packs to supply Volt, Malibu, CT6, and Bolt battery production.
Any idea if the Malibu hybrid packs will still be assembled at the Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant?
Has anyone heard/read the distance the Malibu hybrid will be able to travel on electricity alone?
It isn’t meant to. It’s just for stretching mpgs @ low speeds.
LG doesn’t make pack, they make parts, we make/assemble the packs. Hybrid uses both electric and gas with a combined suggested 55 mpg
I just bought the new 2016 Malibu and haven’t reached 5k yet and I had two codes thrown for my lithium ion battery system. I’m disappointed with this. My auto start won’t work the auto/start system isn’t functioning and the back doors won’t lock when the car is in drive. I don’t feel like this is a good move on GMs part. I may be wrong but as a new car buyer I’m not happy I have to bring my new car in already for problems…