DETROIT -  The battery plant General Motors is building in the Valley will play a big part in GM’s continued move away from its past of internal combustion engines and toward the future of electric-powered vehicles.

The Ultium batteries that will be manufactured in a plant that is still under construction in Lordstown will be used in the Nikola Badger pickup truck to be engineered and manufactured by GM, according to Dave Barnas of GM communications.

Phoenix, Arizona based Nikola Corporation, and GM on Tuesday announced a partnership in which GM will manufacture the Badger using the Ultium battery system, as well as GM’s Hydrotec fuel cell technology.

The Badger’s Ultium battery would give the Badger a 300-mile range for shorter drives or would be able to utilize a 600-mile range from the hydrogen fuel cell if needed.

Under terms of the deal, Nikola will exchange $2 billion in stock for access to General Motors’ services, parts, and components.

“This strategic partnership with Nikola, an industry-leading disrupter, continues the broader deployment of General Motors’ all-new Ultium battery and Hydrotec fuel cell systems,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We are growing our presence in multiple high-volume EV segments while building scale to lower battery and fuel cell costs and increase profitability. Also, applying General Motors’ electrified technology solutions to the heavy-duty class of commercial vehicles is another important step in fulfilling our vision of a zero-emissions future.”

Fuel cells will become increasingly crucial to the semi-truck market because they are more efficient than gas or diesel.

Nikola will be responsible for the sales and marketing for the Badger and will retain the Nikola Badger brand.

The Badger was first announced on Feb. 10, 2020, and will make its public debut Dec. 3-5, at Nikola World 2020 in Arizona.

 Badger production is expected to start in late 2022 at a location to be announced later.

The $23 billion Ultium battery plant is a joint venture between  GM and LG Chem at  Tod Avenue Southwest, right behind the Lordstown Motors plant. GM says it will create 1,100 jobs.

US Rep. Tim Ryan said "This news is very exciting for General Motors and the Mahoning Valley. It solidifies what I’ve long said about the huge potential of the electric vehicle market and my belief in positioning the region at the forefront of this economic engine.  Although I am not aware of any plans to manufacture the Nikola Badger electric pickup truck in Lordstown, Ohio, I am in consistent communication with CEO Mary Barra and their government affairs team to make the case for additional investments at the Lordstown facility."

Not far away inside  GM’s idled assembly plant, the recently-formed Lordstown Motors Corporation plans to manufacture an innovative electric pickup truck using four individual motors on each wheel hub.