GM's big new battery tech push

Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries could offer a rare combination in energy storage: high energy density at lower costs. They swap much of the expensive nickel for abundant, affordable manganese. But technical hurdles — like poor cycle life, voltage decay, and long formation time — kept them on the sidelines.

Now GM says it’s solved these challenges. In May, it announced plans to mass produce LMR batteries starting in 2028. In energy density, the new chemistry would land between the two major alternative chemistries in the U.S., NMC and LFP.

So what does this new entrant mean for the U.S. battery market?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Kurt Kelty, VP of battery, propulsion, and sustainability — and a 30-year battery industry veteran who led Tesla’s battery development for over a decade. Shayle and Kurt cover topics like:

What parts of the U.S. battery supply chain to on-shore or near-shore

The tradeoffs between LFP, LMR, and high-nickel chemistries

The roles that Kurt sees for all three in the market

Shifting production lines and supply chains from NMC to LMR

Why LFP may still outcompete LMR in the stationary market

Resources:

General Motors: Why LMR batteries will change the outlook for the EV market

AutomotiveDive: GM, LG Energy target commercializing manganese-rich batteries for EVs

WSJ: An Ex-Tesla Engineer Is Turning EVs Into Affordable Family Cars

Catalyst: What happened at Northvolt?

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor.

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