General Motors is reconsidering its strategy to incorporate a cost-effective, iron-based battery technology that numerous car manufacturers have adopted to make electric vehicles more affordable, according to the company’s battery technology leader.
The Detroit-based manufacturer had previously announced intentions to create lithium-iron phosphate, known as LFP, batteries for upcoming electric vehicle models, with production scheduled to begin in late 2027 at a facility jointly operated in Tennessee.
However, GM’s battery chief Kurt Kelty informed Reuters that the company is now concentrating on advancing an alternative battery chemistry called lithium manganese-rich, or LMR. This technology reportedly costs approximately the same as LFP to produce domestically while offering superior energy storage capacity within identical weight and size parameters.
Kelty indicated that GM might abandon LFP technology for electric vehicle applications entirely. He noted that while the Tennessee facility will commence LFP cell production this month, those batteries are designated for energy storage systems rather than vehicles.
“There is a possibility where LFP does not earn its way into our portfolio,” Kelty stated after a GM event in San Francisco on Tuesday, describing LMR as the “workhorse” for the company. “That’s where we’re going to be using the big volume,” he added.
General Motors has invested over ten years developing LMR technology. Ford Motor, GM’s crosstown competitor, announced last year that it was working to scale LMR chemistry for future electric vehicles.
Despite LMR’s benefits, including reduced dependence on critical minerals, technical obstacles such as battery degradation during use mean widespread implementation isn’t anticipated in the near future, according to S&P Global’s assessment last year.
Avoiding LFP technology would represent a notable shift from the battery approaches employed by many of GM’s rivals.
Chinese automotive manufacturers led the adoption of the more affordable LFP chemistry, which offers lower energy density—resulting in reduced driving ranges—but provides cost savings and is considered safer and more long-lasting than the nickel-rich batteries favored by many American and European car makers.
Numerous international automakers, including Tesla, Rivian and Ford Motor, have incorporated LFP-based electric vehicles to reduce expenses and provide more budget-friendly electric alternatives as consumer interest in battery-powered vehicles has declined in the United States.
GM has launched more than twelve electric vehicles in the U.S. market over recent years, all utilizing more potent nickel-rich chemistry. However, its recently introduced Chevrolet Bolt, which serves as its most affordable electric vehicle for American consumers, employs LFP cells manufactured by Chinese battery company CATL, as reported by Reuters and other news organizations.
Last year, GM announced its objective to begin commercial LMR cell production at a domestic facility in 2028. While Kelty didn’t verify whether this timeline remains unchanged, he confirmed that LMR development “is on schedule.”
