General Motors To Team up with Honda for Development of Next Generation Batteries

General Motors has reached an agreement with Honda for collaboration on the development of advanced chemistry battery components like module and cell which would be used in next-generation batteries and would help both companies to move forward with their plans for all-electric vehicles at a much faster pace. These new batteries are expected to have characteristics like more compact packaging, higher energy density, and faster charging capabilities. These batteries would be used in models that are meant mainly for the North American market.
According to the terms of the agreement, the two companies would work on GM’s next generation battery system and the idea is for Honda to source the battery modules from GM. The products made as an outcome of the collaboration would be used to power the models of both companies. It is expected that when the two leading auto majors combine their scale and global manufacturing efficiencies, it would ultimately provide greater value to customers.

Mark Reuss, General Motors Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain said that the new, multiyear agreement with Honda further attests to the ability of General Motors to innovate toward a profitable electric portfolio. The collaboration would effectively leverage the decades of experience that GM has in electrification and its strategic EV investments while utilizing Honda’s commitment to advancing mobility with the goal of developing better solutions for our customers and making progress on GM’s zero emissions vision.

GM has previously worked with Honda on electrification, and the two companies had formed the first manufacturing joint venture in the industry with the objective of making an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system by 2020. The integrated development teams drawn from both companies are working on the development of a more affordable commercial solution for fuel cell and hydrogen storage systems.
“In addition to our ongoing joint development and production of fuel cells, this battery component collaboration will enable us to take a new step toward the realization of a sustainable society,” said Takashi Sekiguchi, Chief Officer for Automobile Operations and Managing Officer of Honda.