Partnership to Strengthen EV Production, Sales, and Lineup Expansion

GM has previously received lithium-ion batteries from LG for use in the Chevrolet Bolt and Opel Ampera E-REV.Lithium-ion batteriesWith this new partnership, the two companies will also jointly engage in EV design and technology development, deepening their relationship.

In the United States, a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulation was recently announced, mandating that the fuel efficiency of passenger cars sold domestically by 2025 must reach 54.4 mpg (23.2 km/l). As stricter fuel economy regulations are expected to be set worldwide, the development of environmentally friendly vehicles is an urgent issue for the entire automotive industry. GM considers EVs, which produce zero emissions, to play a crucial role in achieving CAFE targets.

Steve Garskey, GM Vice Chairman, stated, "Collaborating with a leading company allows us to shorten development time and save costs, while consumers continuously benefit from the latest fuel-saving technologies." Juno Cho, LG President and COO, commented, "This is a growth strategy for LG, and we actively support GM's goal of leading the industry in automotive electrification."

Going forward, GM plans to leverage LG's expertise in battery and other system development to increase EV production and sales volume, as well as expand its lineup.

In the increasingly fierce competition for next-generation automobiles, we will be watching the new EVs that emerge from the partnership between GM and LG with keen interest.

Furthermore, the storage batteries installed in EVs andPlug-in hybrids (PHVs)are expected to form part of the energy infrastructure in what is known asSmart Grids. At OPENERS, we advocate for such EVs and PHVs asSNVs (Social Network Vehicles), signifying their connection to society's energy and network. We hope this technological partnership will promote the widespread adoption of such SNVs.