FYI: General Motors and LG Energy Unveil Revolutionary Battery Technology for Electric Trucks
General Motors, in collaboration with LG Energy Solution, has unveiled a groundbreaking lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery chemistry. This innovative technology is set to extend the driving range and reduce costs for electric trucks, with plans to launch in GM’s vehicles by 2028.
New Battery Chemistry: Transforming the EV Landscape
Electric vehicle batteries typically feature nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistries, with some variants incorporating aluminum (NCMA). Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries are also gaining popularity due to cost benefits, though they typically offer lower range compared to NMC. However, GM’s LMR technology promises to combine the best of both worlds, delivering over 400 miles of range with cost efficiency similar to LFP while offering 33% more energy density.
Enhanced Range, Reduced Weight
With GM already achieving nearly 492 miles on its Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck, the focus now shifts to reducing battery weight. The heavy battery packs are a challenge for vehicle handling and efficiency. LMR promises a solution with prismatic cells that are thin, rectangular, and stackable, potentially cutting pack-level components by 50% and offering significant weight reductions.
Decade-Long Development: Ready for Market Impact
Kurt Kelty, Vice President of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability at GM, emphasized the decade-long journey of developing LMR technology. Each pack will now require just six modules comprised of 36 prismatic cells each, heralding a new era in EV performance with a significant reduction in components and weight.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Traditional NMC cells rely heavily on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt. GM’s LMR variants drastically reduce cobalt to 0-2% and nickel to 30-40%, favoring manganese, which is abundant and more affordable. This chemistry shift not only cuts costs but also eases supply chain constraints.
Local Processing, Global Reach
GM plans to process these materials in the U.S., with facilities in Louisiana supported by Australian raw material sourcing. This local processing ensures efficiency and aligns with GM’s strategy to enhance performance standards for electric trucks.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Electric Trucks
The advanced LMR batteries have undergone rigorous testing equivalent to 1.5 million miles of driving, signaling readiness for market deployment. GM, alongside LG Energy Solution, is poised to revolutionize the electric trucking sector by setting new benchmarks in range, weight, and cost.
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By William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
