General Motors, LG Electronics partner for Bolt electric vehicle

South Korean electronics company LG Electronics is partnering with General Motors Co. to supply nearly all of the powertrain parts and other components for GM’s long-range Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle.

LG is supplying 11 systems to the Bolt, including the electric drive motor, lithium ion battery cells and pack, inverters, the power control module, and the heating and air-conditioning system, as well as the entertainment system.

Both the lithium ion battery cells and the electric drive system use plastics extensively.

The 2015 Chevrolet Volt EV Concept all electric vehicle.

Chevrolet had confirmed in February that the Bolt EV would go into production at GM’s Orion Township (Mich.) assembly plant in late 2016.

“Chevrolet needs to be disruptive in order to maintain our leadership position in electrification,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “By taking the best of our in-house engineering prowess established with the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, and combining the experience of the LG Group, we’re able to transform the concept of the industry’s first long range, affordable EV into reality.”

GM’s relationship with LG began in 2007 when LG Electronics was tasked with supplying the vehicle communications module for OnStar, GM’s exclusive telematics system. Another LG-owned company, LG Chem, and GM have a long-standing relationship: the company was chosen as the sole supplier of battery cells for the first-generation Chevrolet Volt, which launched in 2010.

GM has said the new Bolt will be able to travel 200 miles on a single charge.