To support GM’s EV transformation, the company is also installing more battery module capacity to its other North American EV plants.
At CAMI, individual battery cells will be assembled into full vehicle packs in four steps:
Battery cells are arranged into small stacks of cells, where sealer and retaining clips are applied.
These mini stacks are assembled into full modules, where cooling plates, insulation, and electrical components are installed.
Modules are then assembled into vehicle packs, where cooling lines and additional electrical components are installed.
Vehicle battery packs are then subjected to final testing before they are sealed and transferred to the vehicle assembly line.
More details about the project at CAMI will be released closer to launch.
Since 2021, GM has made significant EV-related investments in Canada, including:
January 2021: GM announced plans to invest in CAMI to support BrightDrop EV production.
February 2021: GM announced the opening of its new Canadian Technical Centre McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track (CTC MATT) in Oshawa to support engineering development and testing of advanced software and technologies. Including the MATT, GM’s CTC today employs more than 1,300 engineers and software developers across four locations in Ontario.
March 2022: GM and POSCO Chemical announced a C$500-million facility in Bécancour, Québec to produce cathode active material for GM’s Ultium batteries.
April 2022: GM, with representatives from the Governments of Canada and Ontario, confirmed that the restart of Oshawa operations would create 2,600 new jobs and that CAMI Assembly would begin BrightDrop Zevo production by the end of year.
November 2022: GM announced a long-term supply agreement with Vale Canada, for battery grade nickel sulfate from Vale’s proposed plant also at Bécancour, Québec. The amount of contained nickel will be sufficient to supply approximately 350,000 EVs annually.
February 2023: GM announced plans to invest in St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, subject to completing support agreements with federal and Ontario government partners, plant to manufacture new Ultium electric drive units. This would support around 500 jobs at the St. Catharines facility and enable the production of more than 400,000 EV drive units a year.
