Developed at the manufacturer’s Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai, GM hopes the technology will make electromobility more affordable for the next generation of vehicles. Part of the project has included working towards developing partnerships with cell and cell material suppliers.

The main developments have been to improve the energy density of the battery units, which allows them to be smaller, lighter and cheaper. GM China is also working to boost the efficiency of the supporting battery systems, which allow them to self-regulate their temperature, control charging and discharging and fit into the cars.

John Du, director of GM China’s China Science Lab, said: ‘Producing the first prototype battery cells is a big step forward for the GM China Advanced Technical Center. It is critical for enabling GM to develop smaller, lighter and lower-cost new-generation batteries. Leveraging this success, the independent assessment system for battery materials will help speed up technical progress.’