By Automotive News - General Motors Co. and the U.S. Energy Department have signed a licensing agreement aimed at lowering costs and improving efficiency of advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.GM receives its lithium-ion technology for its mainly electric Volt from Korea's LG Chem. But the government-patented technology for more powerful and longer-lasting charges gives the automaker new flexibility for the future and may also one day underpin home-grown development of batteries.
"This agreement gives General Motors the ability to use cutting-edge battery technology throughout its supply chain," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement.
The U.S. auto industry is far behind Asian manufacturers and suppliers for battery technology, but are fast moving toward new hybrid and electric car designs to satisfy government and consumer demands for more fuel efficient vehicles.
The Energy Department under President Barack Obama's directive is supporting several approaches that seek to improve advanced batteries.
A battery race of sorts has developed between U.S. companies like Massachusetts-based A 123 and those in Asia, like China's BYD, of which Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway owns 10 percent.
Hybrids currently make up a small fraction of U.S. sales and all-electric vehicles for the general consumer are just hitting the market with the Nissan Leaf.
The Volt sedan is GM's early signature effort in the gasoline/electric market.
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