- GM will ditch the Ultium model identify amid a broad shift in battery technique.
- The automaker will proceed utilizing underlying batteries and know-how platforms, but in addition incorporate LFP and nickel-rich prismatic cells.
- A brand new Battery Cell Growth Heart in Michigan goals to speed up R&D.
When Common Motors launched the Ultium electrical car platform and battery system 4 years in the past, it mentioned that this plan—one widespread structure and household of modular batteries for all future fashions—would underpin tens of millions of EVs for years to return. It might additionally, in concept, imply GM might make sufficient batteries at scale for EVs to develop into extremely worthwhile.
However scaling up has been a nightmare in actuality. Now, GM desires to kill the Ultium model identify, whereas protecting the underlying tech, and alter its method in the direction of batteries.
The announcement comes from Kurt Kelty, GM’s vp of battery cell and pack who spoke on the annual Investor Day presentation as we speak. Moreover abandoning a reputation that hasn’t actually caught on, Kelty mentioned these strikes imply massive modifications for GM’s battery roadmap.
Here is what Kelty mentioned throughout the presentation:
It now makes enterprise sense to transition from one-size-fits-all to new program particular batteries. As we accomplish that, we’ll sundown the model identify Ultium for our EV batteries and applied sciences. Ultium will proceed for use in reference to our three way partnership manufacturing websites and different amenities. However as we enter the subsequent part of our journey, the time is correct to start this transition.
Presently, GM’s essential battery accomplice is LG Power Answer. Now, Kelty mentioned the automaker plans to include completely different battery chemistries and ranging cell shapes to tailor them to explicit fashions. GM’s present Ultium packs energy a dozen fashions, from the $35,000 Chevy Equinox EV to the $100,000 GMC Hummer EV, simply in several sizes.
That may change for future fashions as GM prepares to incorporate high-nickel, mid-nickel and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes. That features utilizing the present pouch cells for some fashions and likewise utilizing the easier-to-assemble prismatic cells for others.
GM EVs at present are geared up with nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum cells made by the LGES three way partnership. Now it plans to diversify. The automaker is in talks with Japan’s TDK Corp to provide LFP batteries within the U.S. utilizing tech licensed from CATL.
The subsequent-gen Chey Bolt EV will journey on the Ultium platform, however it would use LFP batteries, as has been introduced beforehand. (Though initially, it might not use U.S.-made packs.)
LFP batteries are cheaper to provide than nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells, boast higher thermal efficiency and last more. However they’re much less power dense and therefore extra appropriate for entry degree fashions, just like the rear-wheel drive Tesla Mannequin 3 and the Customary Vary Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Ultium Cells LLC Battery Plant in Warren, Ohio
Though Kelty added that GM’s truck platform has sufficient area, that with intelligent engineering, it may well add low-cost LFP batteries and nonetheless extract a spread of over 350 miles.
To speed up these plans, GM will conduct battery R&D on the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Heart at GM’s campus in Warren, Michigan and on the new Battery Cell Growth Heart that it introduced as we speak. Kelty mentioned the brand new heart will assist GM make sufficient cells for early car prototype, testing and validation.
The brand new heart is anticipated to be up and working by 2027 and collectively the 2 amenities will be capable of develop new packs and get them prepared for manufacturing in 18 months. Kelty admitted the challenges GM confronted in scaling up battery manufacturing however added, “I can confidently inform you that the manufacturing issues we confronted on the finish of final 12 months are behind us.”
GM elevated its battery module manufacturing by 10 instances in comparison with the final 12 months and its Ohio-based JV with LGES is on observe to provide 100 million cells by the tip of this 12 months. GM can be constructing a brand new $3.5 billion battery plant in Indiana in partnership with Samsung SDI to develop nickel-rich prismatic cells.
Kelty mentioned all of that is meant to “considerably” scale back battery weight, drive down prices and make manufacturing much less complicated. GM final 12 months mentioned it was abandoning its objective of promoting 400,000 EVs by mid-2024—now its on observe to provide and ship about 200,000 EVs this 12 months. And this revised battery technique may assist it unlock a brand new part of mass manufacturing whereas doubtlessly enhancing the vary and charging speeds of its EVs.
For all these challenges, together with software program points and shifting gross sales goalposts a number of instances, GM is doing comparatively nicely in electrical gross sales. It simply posted yet one more consecutive quarter of EV deliveries and should shut the 12 months as America’s no. 2 electrical automaker behind Tesla.
Contact the creator: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com
