GM to Launch Lithium Manganese-Rich Batteries by 2028 in Partnership with LG

GM to begin commercial LMR battery production in the U.S. by 2028.
New chemistry targets lower costs and longer range with up to 400 miles (644 km) per charge.
GM and LG aim to localize EV battery supply chain and reduce reliance on cobalt.

General Motors plans to introduce a new battery chemistry for its electric trucks and SUVs that will support driving ranges of up to 400 miles (644 km). The automaker is collaborating with LG Energy Solution to develop lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic cells, with commercial production set to begin in the United States by 2028.

GM says the new cells are designed to be safer, denser, and less expensive than the high-nickel batteries currently used in its electric vehicles. The LMR chemistry replaces much of the cobalt content with manganese, which is more affordable and widely available.

The batteries will be produced at Ultium Cells, GM and LG’s joint venture. Preproduction is expected to begin in late 2027, and the final battery design will undergo validation at GM’s Battery Cell Development Center in Warren, Michigan, and LG’s battery development facility.

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Unlike cylindrical cells, the prismatic format allows the batteries to be packed flat, improving space efficiency and simplifying manufacturing. General Motors has developed approximately 300 full-size LMR prototypes as part of a process that began in 2015 at its Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center.

Current GM electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet and Cadillac EVS, utilize high-nickel batteries that provide a range of approximately 300 to 320 miles (483 – 515 km). The new LMR cells are expected to extend that range to 400 miles while also contributing to lower vehicle costs.

Ford recently announced plans to adopt LMR batteries by 2030, giving GM a two-year head start if its 2028 target is met. Battery cost reductions are considered crucial to the broader adoption of electric vehicles. GM estimates that batteries account for 30 to 40% of an EV’s total cost and views LMR chemistry as a key factor in reducing that figure.

Global battery production is heavily concentrated in China, which accounts for over 70 % of worldwide lithium-ion battery output. GM executives say changing to manganese-rich batteries will also help localize the automaker’s supply chain and reduce exposure to geopolitical risks.

Despite their advantages, LMR batteries have historically faced challenges, including capacity loss and thermal degradation. GM engineers say they are working to address these risks and expect the new chemistry to perform on par with its first-generation high-nickel cells, even under extreme conditions.

Source: The Verge

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