GM’s got a brand new electric (induction) motor

In Mechanics

Cars with electric motors running the show are few and far between, which is something we need to change — that’s why General Motors is finishing up a new plant in White Marsh, Maryland. The facility will be cooking up magnet and induction electrical motors to power GM’s next generation of EVs. The first off the line will be the 85 kW (114hp) electric engine that’ll sit inside the hood of 2013’s dinky Chevy Spark EV. Peek after the break and you’ll be rewarded with a cornucopia (that’s the technical term for four, right?) of videos and a press release about the company’s plans for electrical domination.

GM is focused on the development of permanent magnet and induction motors for a variety of applications. During a recent tutorial at the Wixom facility, news media were given the opportunity to hand build portions of a permanent magnet motor, the exact 85 kW (114 hp) permanent magnet motor configuration that will be used in the recently announced Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle to debut in 2013.

The White Marsh facility will produce electric motors for the Spark  and other future vehicles. Currently, GM uses electric motors as part of the propulsion system in nine vehicles including the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Buick Lacrosse eAssist, Buick Regal eAssist, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali Hybrid, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.