GM Unveils Cost-Effective Lithium-Manganese-Rich Battery for Extended EV Range

General Motors (GM) has announced a breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology with its new lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry. This innovation promises to significantly reduce battery costs while delivering a driving range exceeding 400 miles, positioning it just below the highest-performing batteries currently available. The LMR chemistry notably decreases the reliance on critical minerals such as cobalt and nickel, which are costly and sourced primarily outside the United States, by substituting a majority of these with more abundant manganese.

Currently, GM’s Chevrolet Silverado EV uses nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries that provide an impressive 492-mile range but come with a high price tag starting above $73,000. GM also offers a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) variant that reduces costs by $6,000 but limits range to 350 miles. The LMR battery aims to combine the affordability of LFP cells with a much higher range, addressing a critical market need for cost-effective, long-range EV batteries.

The LMR chemistry composition includes zero to 2% cobalt, 30% to 40% nickel, and 60% to 70% manganese, a significant shift from the traditional NMC cells that contain up to 10% cobalt and 80% nickel. Historically, manganese-rich batteries faced challenges with rapid degradation, but GM’s extensive research and experimentation with materials and manufacturing processes have overcome these issues, resulting in a durable and efficient battery cell.

A notable design change with LMR battery packs is the use of prismatic cells instead of pouch cells used in GM’s current Ultium batteries. Prismatic cells have a rigid casing, enabling battery packs with over 50% fewer parts, which translates into substantial manufacturing cost savings and improved production efficiency.

GM envisions LMR batteries playing a central role in its EV lineup, occupying the mid-market segment by offering a balance between the entry-level LFP batteries and the premium high-nickel NMC cells. This strategic positioning aims to broaden EV accessibility while maintaining competitive range and performance.

The LMR cells will be produced by Ultium Cells, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, which has invested billions in U.S.-based battery manufacturing. Both companies have been developing LMR technology for years, with GM holding over 50 patents on the chemistry. While LG may develop its own LMR variants, GM’s formulation and manufacturing plans are well underway.

GM’s decade-long research has culminated in the production of approximately 300 large-format LMR cells, undergoing rigorous testing equivalent to 1.5 million miles of driving. The company aims to integrate LMR battery production into existing manufacturing facilities and scale up by 2028, confident in meeting performance and supply chain goals. The more localized supply chain for manganese compared to cobalt and nickel further incentivizes rapid adoption.

This advancement in battery technology represents a significant step toward more affordable, sustainable, and high-performance electric vehicles. By reducing dependency on critical minerals and streamlining manufacturing, GM’s LMR batteries could accelerate EV adoption and support the transition to cleaner transportation.