GM expands advanced-vehicle-technology center in California

General Motors unveiled a new technical center dedicated to the development, maintenance and testing of alternative-energy vehicles last week in Torrance, Calif.

The company has had local digs for years but recently leased the building next to its existing Advanced Technology Center for an alternative-energy research facility. It now employs a dozen scientists, technicians and engineers to advance the electrification of GM vehicles.

Along with a hydrogen fueling station, four electric charging units, four hoists and four training bays, the 12,000-square-foot facility will house all of the advanced-technology vehicles GM is currently field-testing. These include the Chevrolet Volt, the Equinox Fuel Cell Electric and EN-V (Electric Networked) vehicles.

Some of the engineers involved with GM's EV1 project work in the new facility, and there was a bright-red EV1 on display at the ceremony to underline the company's early embrace of alternative vehicles.

Although Torrance boasts a hydrogen-pipeline refueling station (where GM vehicles are permitted to refuel), the center required its own hydrogen refueling station so that tank purging and other finely calibrated activities could be undertaken.

By Barry Winfield