Brownstone Battery Assembly Plant Will Take on Spark EV
Brownstone Battery Assembly Plant will take on Spark EV
General Motors announced today that its Brownstone Battery Assembly Plant in Brownstone, Michigan, will be producing the battery systems for the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV.
“Using our in-house engineering and manufacturing expertise enabled us to deliver a battery system that is more efficient and lighter than the 2014 Spark EV without sacrificing range,” explained Larry Nitz, executive director of GM global transmission and electrification engineering. “Our successful working relationship with LG Chem has allowed us to deliver a new battery system for the Spark EV that helps us to better leverage our economies of scale.”
GM Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant’s LaTanya Clanton working on the Spark EV battery line
This new battery system boasts an overall storage capacity of 19 kWh and uses 192 lithium-ion cells, all of which are produced at the LG Chem plant located in Holland, Michigan. At 474 pounds, the new battery system weighs 86 pounds less than the one inside the 2014 Spark EV; this weight reduction will not result in changes to the Spark EV’s MPGe, however. Range stays strong at 82 miles with 119 MPGe.
GM Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant worker, Tina Oaks, attaching wiring harnesses on a Spark EV battery pack
The Brownstone Battery Assembly Plant is also responsible for manufacturing the battery packs for the Chevy Volt, Opel Ampera, and Cadillac ELR. The landfill-free facility began mass producing batteries back in 2010.
The Spark EV will wear a price tag of $19,995 after federal incentives, but is only available in California and Oregon at present time. Standout features for the 2015 Spark EV include Siri Eyes Free, 4G LTE, and DC Fast Charging.
Photos courtesy of General Motors
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