Many experts tout fuel cells as one of the cleanest forms of green energy, because the devices reduce CO2 emissions and provide greater energy efficiency than combustion engines.
Within the next decade, a large portion of the U.S. Army’s huge fleet of vehicles could run on battery power. In fact, the Pentagon plans to acquire more than 92,000 electric vehicles by 2020.
Electric vehicles promise to transform the automotive landscape. But, don’t expect to see too many differences in assembly plants as automakers start ramping up production.
Automakers and suppliers are scrambling to produce key electromechanical components, such as axles, controllers, steering sytems and climate-control systems.
A plain-looking warehouse near Detroit is being transformed into a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery assembly plant. General Motors Co. (GM) is investing $43 million in the facility to mass-produce battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt and other extended-range electric vehicles. When the 160,000-square-foot facility opens next year, it will be the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. operated by a major automaker.
Lithium-ion batteries are today's hot technology in the auto industry. However, the devices have traditionally been expensive to produce. To capture a piece of the lithium-ion battery business, American manufacturers need to invest heavily in automated assembly lines.
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