GM to mass-produce next-generation LMR batteries in Tennessee

General Motors is advancing its next-generation battery technology with plans to mass-produce lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries at its Ultium Cells joint venture facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The plant, operated in partnership with LG Energy Solution, is set to undergo modifications starting by the end of this year, with the full upgrade expected to be completed by 2028.

Upon completion, the Tennessee facility will become the world's first plant to commercially produce LMR prismatic battery cells. According to GM's projections, this new battery chemistry is anticipated to extend vehicle range by up to 33% when compared to vehicles using current lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

LFP batteries currently dominate the market in China and are favored for their lower cost. GM intends to deploy LMR batteries in its full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, aiming for an EPA-estimated range exceeding 400 miles (644 km). This strategic move positions GM to offer longer driving distances without a significant cost increase.

The LMR battery chemistry reduces reliance on cobalt and nickel, materials known for their high cost and environmental impact during extraction. Instead, it significantly increases the proportion of manganese, which GM states is more readily available and less expensive to mine and process. This composition allows GM to offer improved range at a cost closer to that of LFP batteries.

GM sees LMR batteries as a middle ground between higher-performance ternary (NCM) batteries and the cost-effective LFP option. The first electric vehicles featuring these LMR cells are expected to launch around 2028, at which point their practical benefits for larger vehicles will be tested.