Lately, the big news — indeed, the only news — surrounding General Motors has been the fact that the manufacturer is busy filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now, however, GM is in the news for another reason. The big name automaker recently opened a battery lab which is already being called one of the most technologically advanced ones in the entire country. Rather than being based in Detroit, GM’s home turf, the lab is headquartered instead in Warren, Michigan. It is expected that the battery plant will help General Motors remain at the very forefront of technology, specifically in terms of advanced batteries.

The new facility is called the Global Battery Systems Lab. It is designed to help General Motors get plug in and electric hybrid vehicles onto the market at a faster rate. One such vehicle will be the Chevrolet Volt. GM will also be developing hydrogen fuel cell cars through the facility.