Chevrolet announced their strategic partnership with Korean electronics giant LG Corporation in order to develop the production version of the Bolt concept, the first affordable long-range electric vehicle.
Scheduled to go into production in late 2016, the Chevrolet Bolt EV required a totally different approach for its development than a traditional passenger vehicle and that’s why GM chose to work with LG.
This partnership will bring LG’s expertise in infotainment, battery systems and component development while GM will work on the electric motor design, the battery control systems and of course the rest of the car. Production of the new Chevrolet Bolt will take place at the Orion Township plant in Michigan.
LG will supply many of the components and systems required for the Bolt EV, including the electric motor which is designed by GM, the battery cells and pack, the power invertor module, the on board charger, the electric climate control system compressor, the instrument cluster and the infotainment system among others.
“Chevrolet needs to be disruptive in order to maintain our leadership position in electrification,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development. “By taking the best of our in-house engineering prowess established with the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, and combining the experience of the LG Group, we’re able to transform the concept of the industry’s first long range, affordable EV into reality.”
GM is no stranger in working with LG as their relationship started back in 2007 when LG Electrics supplied the communications module for the OnStar service while LG Chem was providing the battery cells used in the original Chevrolet Volt in 2010.
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