General Motors is upgrading its Ultium Cells facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, to manufacture battery cells using a lithium manganese-rich (LMR) formula. The company plans to prioritize these cells for its upcoming electric vehicle lineup, aiming to provide a balance of long range and lower costs compared to existing battery technologies.
The automaker expects to begin commercial production of LMR prismatic cells in the United States by 2028, with pre-production at an LG Energy Solution facility scheduled for late 2027. This initiative is part of a broader investment strategy, with GM committing a combined total of $2 billion by 2030 toward LFP and LMR battery technologies.
GM claims that its LMR batteries offer an energy density 33% greater than LFP batteries at a comparable cost. The company is developing multiple battery chemistries, including high-nickel and LFP, to adapt to various applications ranging from electric vehicles to stationary energy storage systems.
The LMR battery project follows a decade of research and development conducted in partnership with LG Energy Solution. GM intends to be the first automaker to deploy this technology in electric vehicles, specifically targeting its electric truck and full-sized SUV models to compete in the global market.
