Explosion rocks GM tech center - lithium-ion batteries to blame [video]

An explosion has rocked the battery systems lab at General Motor's Warren Technical Center.

Details are limited, but Warren mayor Jim Fouts said the explosion was a "major blast" that blew out windows and 8-inch thick doors. The building was quickly evacuated, but one employee had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

The incident remains under investigation, but GM released a statement saying the blast was related to "extreme testing on a prototype battery" and was "unrelated to the Chevrolet Volt or any other production vehicle." That's a little vague, but sources have said the battery was being developed for a new range of electric vehicles.