GM Follows Ford With LMR EV Battery Pivot

Roughly one month ago, Ford announced that it will be using Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) EV battery technology in its upcoming electric vehicles, which is notable because that particular chemistry offers up a trio of benefits compared to existing units – safety, energy density, and cost reduction. Ford also revealed that it expects to begin utilizing these LMR EV battery packs in electric vehicles as soon as 2027, which could presumably mean its forthcoming low-cost EVs in development via the company’s skunkworks team – starting with a mid-size pickup. Now, Ford’s cross-town rival, General Motors, is following suit.

According to GM Authority, General Motors is indeed planning to launch its own line of LMR batteries developed in conjunction with LG Energy Solution in future trucks and full-size SUVs. Perhaps more notably, GM expects to be the first automaker to do so, meaning that it’s in a bit of a race with its long-time rival, The Blue Oval, in that regard. However, that may not be the case, as GM announced that it plans to begin pre-production of these batteries at an LG Energy Solution facility in 2027, after which they’ll enter full-scale production by 2028.

GM also announced that its LMR batteries will deliver potential driving ranges of up to 400 miles without any sort of accompanying price increase compared to existing units, largely thanks to a chemical composition that relies more on manganese – which is more abundant and cost-effective compared to nickel and cobalt at the moment. As such, LMR batteries can deliver 33 percent more in terms of energy density than lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) cells, all at the same sort of cost.

“We’re pioneering manganese-rich battery technology to unlock premium range and performance at an affordable cost, especially in electric trucks,” said VP of battery, propulsion, and sustainability at GM, Kurt Kelty. “As we look to engineer the ideal battery for each vehicle in our diverse EV portfolio, LMR will complement our high-nickel and iron-phosphate solutions to expand customer choice in the truck and full-size SUV markets, advance American battery innovation, and create jobs well into the future.”