GM Joint Venture to Produce Lower Cost Battery Cells at US Plant

Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, will upgrade its Spring Hill, Tennessee battery cell manufacturing facility to scale production of low-cost lithium iron phosphate battery cells. Conversion of battery cell lines at Spring Hill to produce LFP cells will begin later this year, with commercial production expected by late 2027.

The move builds on a $2.3 billion investment announced in 2021. 

The Ultium Cells plant in Warren, Ohio will continue producing cells with nickel cobalt manganese aluminum chemistry, which has been key to GM delivering a range of crossovers with more than 300 miles of range on a charge.

With LFP battery technology, GM is targeting significant battery pack cost savings compared to today’s high-nickel battery pack while increasing consumer EV choice.

GM’s flexible EV platform has been architected to enable the quick integration of multiple cell chemistries.

The Spring Hill facility currently employs about 1,300 people. 

Kurt Kelty, VP of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability at GM, says: “At GM, we’re innovating battery technology to deliver the best mix of range, performance, and affordability to our EV customers. This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio."

Wonjoon Suh, executive VP and head of the Advanced Automotive Battery division at LG Energy Solution, adds: “The upgrade reflects the continued strength of our partnership with General Motors and our shared commitment to advancing EV battery innovation. We will bring our extensive experience and expertise in U.S. manufacturing to the joint venture facility, further accelerating our efforts to deliver new chemistries and form factors that effectively capture the unmet needs in the EV market.”

Ultium Cells provides battery cell capacity to support GM's North American electric vehicle assembly capacity, while supporting GM’s plans to supply other automotive companies and other industries including rail, aerospace, heavy trucking and marine customers.