Ultium Cells LLC will improve its Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing facility to provide lithium iron phosphate battery cells, increasing past its present manufacturing capabilities as a part of the three way partnership between Common Motors and LG Vitality Answer.
The conversion of present battery cell strains will start later this 12 months, with industrial manufacturing of the lower-cost LFP chemistry anticipated by late 2027. The improve builds on a $2.3 billion funding introduced in 2021 for the ability, which at present employs roughly 1,300 folks.
“At GM, we’re innovating battery know-how to ship the most effective mixture of vary, efficiency, and affordability to our EV clients,” mentioned Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice chairman of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability. “This improve at Spring Hill will allow us to scale manufacturing of lower-cost LFP cell applied sciences within the US, complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese wealthy options and additional diversifying our rising EV portfolio.”
The power enlargement permits Ultium Cells to fabricate a number of battery chemistries at a single location. Whereas Spring Hill transitions to LFP manufacturing, the three way partnership’s Warren, Ohio plant will proceed producing nickel cobalt manganese aluminum cells, which GM has utilized in crossover automobiles reaching greater than 300 miles of vary per cost.
LFP battery know-how presents important price benefits in comparison with present high-nickel battery packs, although usually with diminished vitality density. GM’s Ultium platform was designed to accommodate completely different cell chemistries and configurations, permitting the automaker to match battery know-how with particular car necessities and worth factors.
“The improve displays the continued power of our partnership with Common Motors and our shared dedication to advancing EV battery innovation,” mentioned Wonjoon Suh, govt vice chairman and head of LG Vitality Answer’s Superior Automotive Battery division. “We’ll convey our in depth expertise and experience in U.S. manufacturing to the three way partnership facility, additional accelerating our efforts to ship new chemistries and type components that successfully seize the unmet wants within the EV market.”
Tennessee Financial and Neighborhood Growth Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter famous the state’s ongoing relationship with the companions. “Ultium Cells’ extra funding and dedication to innovating and enhancing its Spring Hill operations is a testomony to the state’s longstanding, cohesive partnerships, which began with Common Motors, and grew to incorporate LG Vitality Answer in 2021,” he mentioned.
“This funding expands our capabilities past a single battery cell chemistry, permitting us to provide new chemistries alongside our present cells,” mentioned Kee Eun, president and CEO of Ultium Cells. “Increasing our product portfolio ensures Ultium Cells will stay on the forefront of battery cell innovation and maintain our dedication to be a secure, long-term employer for the communities we serve.”
The three way partnership provides battery cells primarily for GM’s North American EV manufacturing, with plans to serve different automotive producers and industries together with rail, aerospace, trucking and marine purposes.
