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GM Shifts EV Battery Strategy: LFP in Doubt
21 Jun
Summary
- GM may prioritize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry over LFP for EVs.
- LFP production planned for 2027, but LMR is called a future workhorse.
- Rivals use LFP to cut costs; GM sticks with nickel-rich batteries.
General Motors (GM) is reportedly re-evaluating its commitment to using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in future electric vehicles. According to battery chief Kurt Kelty, the company might instead prioritize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry for widespread adoption.
While GM still plans to start LFP cell production at its Tennessee plant this month, these will be for energy storage systems, not EVs. Kelty suggested LMR offers comparable U.S. production costs with superior energy density, despite the firm's extensive work on this chemistry over the past decade.
This potential pivot contrasts with rivals such as Tesla, Rivian, and Ford, who have integrated LFP batteries into their EV models to achieve cost reductions. GM, meanwhile, continues to utilize nickel-rich batteries across its current electric lineup, with LMR development reportedly on schedule.
