I caught up briefly this morning with General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson at Detroit-based NextEnergy, where U.S. Vice President Joe Biden officially awarded more than $1 billion in stimulus grants to Michigan battery companies. I asked Henderson to describe the importance of GM's battery research relationship with the University of Michigan to the company's pursuit of electric vehicle technology. Watch the video to see his response.

You can follow AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey on Twitter. He is also guest-hosting the Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider on Ann Arbor's 1290 WLBY-AM from 9-10 a.m. this week.