GM solidifies Volt battery partnerships

Agreement to speed up development?

The key to GM's future success will almost certainly be driven by the E-Flex platform - the powertrain that will power the Chevy Volt, for example.

They key to the Volt and the E-Flex platform is lithium batteries. Consequently, GM has solidified its partnerships with lithium-ion battery makers A123Systems and LG Chem.

"Breakthrough battery technology will drive future automotive propulsion, and the company that aligns with the best strategic partners will win. That's what is so important about this deal," said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman of Global Product Development. "Whether you're talking about the Chevy Volt, a fuel cell or even a plug-in hybrid such as our planned Saturn Vue, we need to understand the fundamental battery cell performance."