GM Buys Batteries Less Volatile Than Volt’s for Spark Model
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General Motors Co., maker of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid that is the subject of a federal safety probe, is moving to a less volatile battery chemistry for its Chevy Spark electric car going on sale in 2013.
GM is using phosphate-based lithium ion batteries from Waltham, Massachusetts-based A123 Systems Inc. that are less likely to burn than other lithium chemistry, including that used in the Volt model introduced last year, said battery experts and suppliers.