General Motors and LG Group today announced a pact to jointly develop future electric vehicles such as GM's Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which uses batteries supplied by the Korean conglomerate.

The joint agreement expands on the companies' experience with the Volt and Opel Ampera, a similar extended-range EV which GM markets overseas. But more than just serial hybrids, today's agreement also points to a future of battery-only cars similar to the Nissan Leaf and forthcoming Ford Focus Electric. (According to the Detroit Free Press, GM and LG also previously produced a test fleet of battery-powered Chevrolet Cruze EVs.)

The GM and LG announcement is the latest of recent news of collaborative efforts between Detroit auto makers and high-tech companies.

Earlier this month, EV fans got a boost with news that Toyota and Tesla Motors were teaming up to produce an all-electric version of the 2013 model year Toyota RAV4 SUV.

And on Monday, Ford and Toyota formed a partnership to develop new hybrid drive systems for light trucks and SUVs. This is in addition to Ford's already publicized "electrification" strategy, which includes electric-only vehicles—such as the Focus Electric, which also uses batteries supplied by LG—and new hybrids such as the Ford C-Max.

The GM and LG announcement did not disclose when EVs produced by this collaborative effort might hit the streets.

GM and LG to Jointly Develop Electric Vehicles [GM press release]
GM makes pact with LG Group on electric vehicles [Detroit Free Press]