Dec. 12, 2007 General Motors has opened the auto industry's first design studio dedicated exclusively to developing electric vehicles. The new E-Flex Systems Design Studio will employ a team of 45 designers, engineers, and scientists to develop plug-in vehicle technologies.

The studio will initially focus on developing a production version of the Chevrolet Volt concept car, which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show last January. The Volt, GM's plug-in vehicle, runs on an electric engine powered by rechargeable on-board batteries.

The new studio is an adaptive reuse of an older GM design facility. The renovation includes a number of green features, such as sustainable carpet, energy-efficient florescent lighting, repurposed surfaces, window shades to control heating and cooling, Cradle-to-Cradle certified furniture.

Watch a video of the new design studio here.