General Motors hopes to lead electric car race

Mumbai: General Motors Corporation has signed an agreement for the development of a new lithium ion battery that could power it ahead of Toyota Motor Corp. in the race to bring plug-in hybrid and electric cars, a top company official said.

GM has signed an agreement with Watertown, Mass-based A123 Systems Inc. for developing a new lithium-ion battery which is safer and manages heat better than the technology Toyota was using, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said.

He also hopes to be first to market with a pure electric vehicle that has a piston engine as an emergency backup, similar to the Chevrolet Volt prototype that the company unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January

A123 Systems Inc already produces millions of nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries for use in cordless power tools, and it plans to apply the technology to automobiles.

Lutz said the deal, which comes amidst reports that Toyota Motor Corp. would delay launches of lithium-ion battery powered hybrids for up to two years, could give GM the lead in bringing the new clean technology to market.

''I think that our No. 1 competitor has some problems with their technology, and I do think that it very definitely opens a window of opportunity for us to be first to market with a genuine plug-in hybrid,'' Lutz said at an automotive industry conference in Traverse City where the battery deal was announced.

The Wall Street Journal, had reported that problems with lithium-ion technology has forced Toyota to back away from plans to roll out the vehicles between 2008 and 2010.

Toyota disagreed with the idea that the developments gave GM an edge but said it won't comment on its product plans.