GM's Plan to Boost Tennessee Plant for Larger Battery Production

The Ultium Cells partnership, formed by General Motors and the South Korean company LG Energy Solution, intends to enhance its facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, enabling it to manufacture various types of batteries within a single location, such as their latest, more affordable option.

The firms stated on July 14 that the financing for these improvements comes from a $2.3 billion investment initially revealed in 2021, which will enable Ultium to increase manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate battery cells, an economical option compared to the nickel-heavy batteries they jointly develop.

Ultium Cells Spring Hill started manufacturing in April 2024, focusing exclusively on nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum batteries, enabling GM to develop cars with more than 300 miles of range per charge. General Motors builds the gasoline-powered Cadillac XT5 and XT6 at its Spring Hill Assembly Plant, along with the fully electric Cadillac Lyriq.

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Another facility partnered with General Motors in Warren, Ohio, will keep manufacturing battery cells using nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminum-based technology, stated LG Energy Solution.

At General Motors, we're advancing battery technology to provide our electric vehicle customers with the optimal combination of range, power, and cost-effectiveness," stated Kurt Kelty, Vice President of Batteries, Propulsion, and Sustainability at GM. "This enhancement at Spring Hill will allow us to increase manufacturing of more affordable LFP cells within the U.S., supporting our high-nickel and upcoming lithium-manganese-rich options, thereby expanding our evolving EV lineup.

The transition of battery cell lines at Spring Hill to manufacture the latest battery cells will start later this year. LG Energy Solution mentioned that mass production of the lithium iron phosphate batteries is anticipated by the end of 2027.

Besides the two plants co-managed with General Motors, LG Energy Solution has six additional production sites functioning or being built in the United States. LG Energy Solution additionally runs a Honda partnership in Jeffersonville, Ohio, as well as a Hyundai Motor Co. site in Savannah, Georgia.

LG Energy Solution intends to begin manufacturing a novel battery technology known as lithium manganese-rich batteries in the United States. by 2028, working together with General Motors The firm has still not revealed where this kind of battery will be manufactured.

Manufacturing various battery models within a single plant gives General Motors the ability to more effectively manage changes in electric vehicle demand, enabling them to produce the most suitable choice for their extensive range of electric vehicles, as stated by Stephanie Brinley, associate director of Auto Intelligence at S&P Global Mobility.

In theory, it's similar to placing the appropriate engine beneath the correct chassis," she stated. "For the type of vehicle a customer wants, they're receiving a battery that offers the optimal mix of range, performance, and cost for their needs.

Present-day battery technology provides excellent range and power, making it ideal for models such as the Cadillac Lyriq, Optiq, and Vistiq. According to Brinley, LFP chemistry is more cost-effective while delivering sufficient range. In contrast, upcoming battery technology—lithium manganese-rich batteries—is expected to enhance the manufacturing process for big trucks and SUVs.

(This tale has been revised to incorporate additional details.)

Jackie Charniga reports on General Motors for the Free Press. Contact her at jcharniga@freepress.com .

This piece first was published in the Detroit Free Press: General Motors' partnership will modernize a Tennessee facility to increase battery manufacturing capacity