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By Norihiko Shirouzu
(Reuters) – General Motors Co is about to announce wednesday its goal of putting into production an interchangeable “family” of propulsion systems and electric car (EV) engines, expanding production power as it moves to an all-electric range.
The move, followed by GM’s previous next-generation battery projects, occurs when Detroit-based automaker seeks to create an electric car company vertically incorporated into Tesla as a component of its ongoing business.
According to a GM press release through Reuters, the automaker is about to announce that it has designed and plans to produce five sets of interchangeable thrusters and three engines on its own, which it calls the “Ultium Drive” system.
GM said its new electric propulsion systems, called electric axles in the industry, will have enough output force to allow for use with cars ranging from rugged trucks to functional cars.
GM already has electric vehicle partnerships, as with truck startup Nikola Corp, but chose here to design its own e-drive technology, rather than buy from suppliers that could offer a larger scale and reduce costs.
Adam Kwiatkowski, GM’s leading executive engineer for global electric propulsion, said that by designing its own electric axles, GM could better integrate them into the battery of an electric vehicle and the rest of the car. Electric axles combine gears, motor and power electronics. into a formula and successfully convert the battery strength to force the vehicle.
GM “designed those propulsion sets with a full diversity of electric cars that complement our portfolio,” Kwiatkowski told Reuters in an interview last week.
“They become synergistic and make it an effective, intelligent set for vehicle functionality, smart to generate enthusiasm in visitors and, above all, smart for profitability,” he said.
The new generation of its own design means that “now more battery power is going to the road,” which helps make GM electric cars cheaper,” Kwiatkowski said.
This, in turn, meant that GM could give more autonomy to its electric cars or that cars could have fewer batteries, he added.
Other benefits come with size, leading to a smaller education gear and more passenger space, as well as a more spontaneous motor response, Kwiatkowski said.
“There is very little delay in the engine, absolutely imperceptible, so as soon as you touch the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reacts in a very smooth way. “
The new generation highlights GM’s efforts to catch up with Tesla, whose percentage value has increased by more than 400% this year due to higher profitability.
In some cases, GM will continue to purchase transmission games and parts from suppliers, detroit-based corporate spokesman Phil Lienert said.
However, it will continue to lead the design and production of Ultium Drive units, he said.
(The story corrects a typo in the first paragraph)
(Report via Norihiko Shirouzu; edited through Richard Pullin)