General Motors announced today that it will be expanding its capabilities for designing and manufacturing electric traction motors, the motors used to propel electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. GM plans to have the first GM-designed and -built electric motors installed in some 2013 vehicles.
“In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now,” said Tom Stephens, GM Vice Chairman, Global Product Operations. “By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight – two significant challenges facing batteries today.”
Of course, the benefits from GM designing and building its own electric motors will include weight-reduction, range-extension, energy-use optimization, and coordination of motors and batteries, all of which will make for better, longer running, more energy efficient electric vehicles in the future.
GM and its long-time rival, Ford, seem to be starting a new round of competition. With this announcement from GM and Ford’s recent announcement about bringing battery resaerch and production in-house, both companies are moving to position themselves for the design and manufacture of components and systems for electric vehicles. Like a new space race, the benefits of this competition may reinvigorate both companies. Developments could also spill over into other fields. And maybe, all of this could lead to a resurgence of Detroit in the automotive world
Link: GM Press Release
Photo Credit: Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors