The project will involve the deployment of a demo fleet of electric Chevrolet Cruzes, the result of shared development with GM Daewoo, LG Chem and LG Electronics in Seoul.
The project, which will provide real-world data on customer acceptance of battery EVs, studying driving patterns and charging behavior while sharing costs and resources, forms part of GM’s global battery and electric vehicle development strategy.
The company, which intends to apply the knowledge gained from the demo project, is expected to launch the project by the end of October, to strengthen its core vehicle electrification competencies, including batteries, electric motors, power controls and charging.
The Cruze EV, equipped with a 31kWh battery from LG Chem and propulsion systems from LG Electronics, has a range of up to 160km and can go from 0 to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds and can be fully recharged in 8 to 10 hours using a standard household 220V outlet.
GM vice president of global vehicle engineering Karl Stracke said that this Cruze EV demonstration project reinforces GM’s commitment to being a leader in the development of EVs and green technologies, building on their portfolio of hybrids and the Chevrolet Volt.
