GM, LG to make lower-cost EV battery cells in Tennessee
GM•General Motors and LG Energy will upgrade their Tennessee joint-venture plant to make lower-cost battery cells, with construction expected to be completed in 2028. The expansion is projected to create 500 jobs.
1. Tennessee plant upgrade
The Ultium Cells joint-venture plant will be upgraded beginning later this year to manufacture lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells for future GM electric vehicles. The companies did not disclose when production will begin.
2. Cell chemistry and jobs
The LMR cells are expected to have the potential to deliver 33% higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The Tennessee plant currently makes LFP cells for energy storage systems, and GM’s battery leader has said the automaker may ditch a plan for LFP cells to focus on LMR instead.
