General Motors (GM) is making significant changes to its battery strategy, including ditching the Ultium brand name that was introduced four years ago. The automaker is shifting towards using different battery chemistries and cell shapes to tailor them to specific models. This move comes as GM faces challenges in scaling up battery production.
Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery cell and pack, announced these changes during the annual Investor Day presentation. He mentioned that GM will continue using the underlying batteries and technology platforms but will incorporate high-nickel, mid-nickel, and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes. The company plans to use pouch cells for some models and prismatic cells for others.
GM’s current battery partner is LG Energy Solution, but the automaker is diversifying its battery sources. It is in talks with Japan’s TDK Corp to produce LFP batteries in the U.S using technology licensed from CATL. The upcoming next-gen Chevy Bolt EV will ride on the Ultium platform but will use LFP batteries.
LFP batteries are cheaper to produce, offer better thermal performance, and last longer than nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells. They are more suitable for entry-level models and may help GM achieve a range of over 350 miles for its trucks.
To accelerate these plans, GM is establishing a new Battery Cell Development Center in Michigan. This center, along with the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center, will focus on battery R&D and help GM develop new packs for production in 18 months. Kelty expressed confidence that the manufacturing challenges faced by GM are now behind them.
GM has increased its battery module production significantly and is on track to produce 100 million cells by the end of this year at its Ohio-based joint venture with LGES. The company is also building a $3.5 billion battery plant in Indiana in partnership with Samsung SDI to develop nickel-rich prismatic cells.
These changes are aimed at reducing battery weight, driving down costs, and simplifying manufacturing processes. GM’s revised battery strategy may help the company achieve its goal of producing and delivering about 200,000 EVs this year. The new approach could also improve the range and charging speeds of GM’s EVs.
Despite facing challenges like software issues and shifting sales goals, GM is performing well in electric vehicle sales. The company recently posted another consecutive quarter of EV deliveries and is on track to become America’s second-largest electric automaker behind Tesla.
In conclusion, GM’s decision to revamp its battery strategy and move away from the Ultium brand name signals a new phase of mass production for the company. By incorporating different battery chemistries and cell shapes, GM aims to enhance the performance and affordability of its electric vehicles. The establishment of new R&D centers will further support GM’s efforts to innovate in the EV market.