Lithium-ion technology is GM’s choice for its future hybrids

Lithium-ion technology is General Motors’ battery of choice for its future hybrids, plug-ins, extended-range electrics, and fuel cell vehicles.

Lead battery systems engineer Andrew Leutheuser said that GM has committed to using only lithium-ion technology for its future battery needs and has no plans to develop nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Since lithium-ion batteries are two times denser than the nickel-metal-hydride batteries found in hybrids today, weight can be cut in half without affecting the performance. For this reason, many carmakers intend to use lithium-ion batteries in their newest products. The problem is that some companies are reluctant to abandon the huge financial investment spent on putting the nickel-metal hydride in their hybrids.

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