An EV’s battery pack is arguably the most important component on the entire vehicle. Not only does it provide the juice, but its considerable size and weight, not to mention layout constraints, all play a significant role in the way an EV looks, drives, and performs. It also plays a huge role in defining the production process. Now, new information on the next-generation GM battery pack has come to light following a presentation from General Motors President Mark Reuss at the recent GM Capital Markets Day event.
GM President Mark Reuss
According to Reuss, the next-gen GM battery pack will be highly flexible and modular, providing engineers with a multitude configurations to choose from, but “all from the same starting point, all from the same materials depending on the product we’re building.”
The executive likens the pack to an ice cube tray.
“You can put in as much water to make as many cubes as you need, the tray still takes up the same amount of space in the freezer,” Reuss said.
Battery pack in the Chevrolet E-10 concept vehicle.
For example, GM could use just six battery packs for a small EV, but continue to add packs as needed, whether its eight, 10, or 12, depending on the vehicle. One could even imagine using upwards of 24 packs by stacking two 12-pack configurations on top of one another.
The next-gen GM battery pack offers a number of improvements over the previous generation, including greater energy density, more flexibility, and greater modularity. The pack also comes with high-powered DC fast-charging capabilities and a lower overall height, while a more holistic design approach allows the battery pack to be physically larger inside the platform.
Chevrolet E-10 concept pictured here.
The flexibility of the next-gen GM battery pack is particularly important here, as it enables the automaker to adjust its approach depending on the changes seen in the market.
“[We’re] not spending money validating way more designs than necessary, we just slot the configuration into whatever product we need, whenever we need it,” Reuss said. “Most competitors lack this ability. Most of them will need to melt and re-pour. Most are one-off snowflakes – an existing architecture that has a battery that’s been put into it, which is fine, but it’s not the long-term scalable, economic, market-agile solution that we have.”
Looking ahead, GM’s electric vehicle plans include the new BT1 platform for body-on-frame SUVs and pickup trucks, which include the GMC Hummer EV, as well as the rumored Cadillac Escalade EV, among others.
Cruise Origin autonomous ride-sharing vehicle
Meanwhile, the new BEV3 platform will underpin a variety of models, the first of which will be the upcoming Cadillac crossover EV set to debut in April. Several others will follow, including the Cruise Origin autonomous taxi, a Light Commercial Vehicle, a luxury “low-roof” CUV, as we covered previously.
Comments
There gets to a point with current battery densities that adding more battery capacity doesn’t increase range significantly due to weight. I’m curious to see what the curb weight of the long range Hummer truck will be.
@Andrew
Once Batteries reach a lower price point than ICE has today, which will happen, then Automakers can start utilizing more expansive materials. Like using Aluminum, and or Carbon Fiber. This will assist in eliminating the so called added weight of the Battery Pack. Some pundits think that in 10 years with about 50 to 60 Gigafactories around the World, the price of Batteries will become so cheap that making ICE vehicles will literally make zero sense for Auto Makers from a Cost Point. Imagine what 100 or so of them will do to the price. Battery Tech will continue to get better and better. The Density will get better and better as well. So will the weight of the Pack. Just think of the first Cell phone and then what happened 10 years later. That is what happens with Technology. It never stands still. On a side note, one can only imagine what will happen if someone finally makes Solid State Batteries.
As for this article, I am happy to hear that maybe just maybe GM might become the second best at EV’s. In my opinion Tesla in consumers eyes will always be number one deserved or not going forward but it was so important that GM leapfrog VW for that coveted Second Spot.
The fact still remains that there aren’t enough battery charging stations around the country to make an EV practical for the vast majority of drivers who have only one vehicle. Also, the amount of time it takes to recharge a battery at a recharging station must be reduced. People will buy EV’s when they are competitive will gasoline vehicles.
Well there are two things in play. One GM is working with other companies to invest in these charging stations. It will be spotty till there are more cars and more stability in battery tech.
The goal will be to charge in the time it takes to fill a tank of gas. That happens every gas station will have an electric island. From a customer point of view and retailer this will be the goal.
With most gas stations making most of their money on Beer, Coffee and Lottery tickets the fact many charging at home should not hurt them much.
The real key is to get prices lower on charging stations. In Ohio it is around $30 an hour for an 80% charge. that range is down and the cost is higher than the equal amount of fuel. So it is more expensive to charge at a public station than at home right now. Note are gas prices are very low right now and we have heard $1.99 may be coming.
I would love to see some evidence if that $30 an hour rare. No one charges that much anywhere else in the country. Some charge by time, some charge by KW which is best. I charge at Disney World on a level 2 machine and it costs me about $4 for four hours. Now I realize that CCS chargers will be more expensive but $30 an hour is way out of line
Some companies will be free for the first 2 hours then charge $20 to $30 an hour as an incentive to unplug and move so others can charge.
Yes there will be some deals. As more charging comes on line more competition will drive prices.
The real issue is with ever changing technology and new Batteries that may come could require new battery chargers and expensive upgrades to charging stations. This makes investment risky.
https://www.sae.org/news/2019/10/state-of-dc-fast-charging
John This is where I saw this as they drove right though my area. They list the entire trip time and cost of charging.
This was done by the SAE and was published in their magazine. They are a very EV friendly publication so they are not playing favorites.
The cost and time to drive from Pittsburgh and Detroit and back was very interesting. This was one of the better neutral stories I have seen.
Note EV charging in Ohio is limited as we have very low numbers of EV cars. It is growing but still below many other areas numbers.
I have yet to pay for a charge at 3 Chevy dealers and at any of the Audi,Porsche or BMW dealers in 30 days of owning a Bolt.
2M6, yeah Ohio! Just by how well-informed your comments are here, I knew you had to be an Ohioan lol.
Just a quick question on home charging: do new EVs come with a home charger setup with every purchase? And don’t you need to have an electrician come to do the necessary work to make it compatible with your home? The Hummer EV forced me to learn more about electric cars ( being one of my favorite brands growing up in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, it won me over), and these two questions have both been near the top of my list. It seems like you’d be the one to ask.
Charging varies with each. Some have a cord for a standard wall outlet and then they offer options on 240 volt chargers that can vary in their power and speed. It is something that you need to investigate with each model and see what options they offer.
It is recommended that you hire an electrician to wire this in for legal and safety reasons. Many people are handy with electric and may be able to do it themselves.
My one garage I have 220 service to it for a welder and hot water heater but it could also power a charger too. In my case it would be easy to install but most people do not have 240 to the garage and will need professionals in.
The people that are stuck are people who live in apartments or park on the street as they have no easy electric outlets.
EV will not be for everyone and ICE will still be a part of the market. There will remain a mix of products out there for as good while.
Per SAE they expect a mix of models 1/3 each of EV, ICE and Hybrid. This could change depending on tech breakthroughs and laws.
They also reported Automakers have plans on ICE will 2050 at this point.
I just try to keep up as I work in the performance industry and belong to the SAE. My job is really affected by this so I need to keep up.
I got a great idea! Why not a hybrid? Why not call it a Volt!
They tried that but sales have not been sustainable and the price not high enough to make it profitable.
Even the Prius sales are not what they once were. Most people are just making the jump and going to the all EV models if they are going to make a move.
The SAE expect 1/3 sales to be hybrids but that may be high once 2030 rolls around EV and ICE may hold higher shares than Hybrids.
Advancements or lack of constantly will change time lines.
Toyota’s hybrid system is available in many more models than the Prius and it is a big seller. Their new hybrid Prime Rav4 appears to be the game changer – what Volt should have and could have been.
I guess that I’m just disappointed with GM’s commitment to continue producing the Volt. Without a strong marketing and promotional program, I’m not surprised.
I purchase a new 2017 Volt based solely on my research due to the lack of any Volt promotions in the Chicago area. During my research, I found no one that would be comfortable with the purchase of a battery-only vehicle. I assure you that the built-in gas generator has enabled me to travel anywhere, without restriction.
I hope GM is correct in its business plan. I am planning on replacing my 2016 Cadillac SUV, but I don’t think GM will be in the production of its all-electric vehicles in time.
You are wrong,period. The vast majority us charge at home, which again allows sufficient distance for nearly every daily commute. Many folks don’t need to charge every night. In my 30 days of owning a Bolt.I have charged a 3 Chevy dealers. And an Audi,Porsche and BMW dealer.
@Mark
Lets all remember that when Automobiles switched to Gasoline, there was literally no Gas Stations. Within 20 years time (back then) there was basically a Gas Station on almost every corner in America. There is money that can be had with EV Super Chargers and Private Entities will start building out to makes insane amount of money. Also, do we all think Gas Stations will not convert? What are they going to do? Just fold because the Energy system in Vehicles changed? We all stop to get coffee or whatever from the Stores at Gas Stations so why not just Plug in and continue as we do today.
75% of people live in a house of some kind with access to a plug. Almost all charging is done at home. Even slow charging works. This isn’t like gas where you drain the tank to empty every few days. You wake up with a full tank every morning. Once you live with the ev for a while you realize that it’s the gas stations that waste time, not charging.
This EV better have an Escalade inspired interior rather than a dated one from 2013.