General Motors announced that its next-generation lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries will be mass-produced at the Ultium Cells plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. This facility, operated jointly with LG Energy Solution, will undergo a conversion process starting at the end of this year, with completion scheduled for 2028.
The company expects these LMR batteries to increase vehicle range by 33% compared to current lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. GM plans to integrate this technology into full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, targeting an EPA-rated range exceeding 644 km. The first vehicles equipped with these cells are expected to launch in 2028.
LMR batteries utilize a chemical composition with lower cobalt and nickel content, focusing instead on a higher proportion of manganese. GM notes that manganese is more accessible and cost-effective to process. The company positions LMR technology between high-end ternary lithium batteries and low-cost LFP solutions to balance performance and production costs.
