GM to Start Making LFP Cells in USA

[E365]

Sounds like GM/LG will start making cheaper LFP cells in the existing Ultium Cells plants in both Warren, Ohio and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

In addition, the GM/Samsung plant in New Carlisle, Indiana has plans to use part that plant for LFP production too.

The Silverado EV gets an optional LFP pack later this year, plus the new Bolt EV will be LFP. Rumors are Equinox EV and Blazer EV will switch to LFP too.

We’ve known LFP cells were coming for a while, just not which plants they’d come out of. I’d guess these will be like early Ultium pouch cells - imported from South Korea until the USA plants open up.

This is in addition to the upcoming LMR cells.

https://www.kedglobal.com/batteries/newsView/ked202505270006

https://insideevs.com/news/760990/general-motors-bringing-lfp-battery-production-to-america/

There also has been rumors of CATL LFP going into GM EVs. Not sure if that’s still alive or if the LG and Samsung cells will be their full supply of LFPs.

 

[JD!]

Good news for U.S. industry! The potential for longer cell life with LFP chemistry is definitely a selling point for me.

 

[alarmguy]

and here it is (LFP)- Lithium IRON Phosphate cells, coming later this year. Wow, if all this comes true this will be a killer automobile in the low price range.
If I didnt need to tow a boat I would pick one up for fun and to try out since my wife now has a smaller Equinox SUV instead of her previous Mazda.
https://topelectricsuv.com/news/chevrolet/2026-chevrolet-bolt-features/

 

[Torrid]

and here it is (LFP)- Lithium IRON Phosphate cells, coming later this year. Wow, if all this comes true this will be a killer automobile in the low price range.
If I didnt need to tow a boat I would pick one up for fun and to try out since my wife now has a smaller Equinox SUV instead of her previous Mazda.
https://topelectricsuv.com/news/chevrolet/2026-chevrolet-bolt-features/

We’ve had LFPs in the US for a while. My Model 3 has a LFP battery. They fell out of favor with manufacturers due to the loss of the tax credit for parts content. I’m going to assume the Nevada mine is nearing the point to supply product for these batteries if this is where GM is headed.

 

[dogememe]

Good, LFP makes sense for a lot of vehicles.

 

[E365]

Good, LFP makes sense for a lot of vehicles.

For sure. Perfectly suited for Chevrolets where they need to get the price down. Most people would never know or care they don’t have the energy density of NMC(A) batteries, as long as it fits their budget better.

 

[alarmguy]

Yes, I read from the link that I provided above. Sort of makes sense.

“A significant change is the introduction of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cells. The iron-based cells are cheaper, last longer, and handle temperature fluctuations better than traditional Lithium-ion batteries, though they have a lower energy density. We expect the new Chevy Bolt to aim for approximately 260 miles of range (EPA-est.) and offer improved charging times, with 100 miles added in just 30 minutes of DC fast charging.”

 

[Brons2]

and offer improved charging times, with 100 miles added in just 30 minutes of DC fast charging.”

That's still not very good. Maybe better than the old Bolt which had an upper limit of 55kwh DCFC at any SOC, but that's not saying much. The old Bolt was one of the worst charging EVs on the market when the Bolt was last offered in 2023.

Of course, the Leaf was worse, but that's to be expected as it doesn't have active cooling of the battery pack.

 

[alarmguy]

We’ve had LFPs in the US for a while. My Model 3 has a LFP battery. They fell out of favor with manufacturers due to the loss of the tax credit for parts content. I’m going to assume the Nevada mine is nearing the point to supply product for these batteries if this is where GM is headed.

There’s another post in this electric vehicle section from someone else. General Motors is a groundbreaking announcement. I think it has to do with the chemistry and overcoming obstacles using LFP’s.
You got me, though it was just general motors announcement. No debate for me just trying to understand what’s different.

 

[Torrid]

There’s another post in this electric vehicle section from someone else. General Motors is a groundbreaking announcement. I think it has to do with the chemistry and overcoming obstacles using LFP’s.
You got me, though it was just general motors announcement. No debate for me just trying to understand what’s different.

I think the big thing here is more US production and materials on a very resilient battery design. It won't power the fastest or the longest range vehicles due to power density, but it's a real solution for entry level EVs. These batteries have a lot higher tolerance against degradation because of their lower and narrower voltage spread across its operating range.

I see it as a huge win.

 

[y_p_w]

Good news for U.S. industry! The potential for longer cell life with LFP chemistry is definitely a selling point for me.

They've got some downsides such as lower energy density and lower voltage range making it more difficult to know the state of charge. But yeah they last longer.

My understanding is that the technology was developed in the US but for various reasons CATL obtained/licensed patents where they were excluding a lot of companies (especially Chinese ones) from the LFP market. But a lot of those patents have expired.

 

[JeffKeryk]

LFP batteries in the entry level Teslas have the benefit of charging to 100% with less degredation. Not sure if they are still available...

 

[alarmguy]

I think the big thing here is more US production and materials on a very resilient battery design. It won't power the fastest or the longest range vehicles due to power density, but it's a real solution for entry level EVs. These batteries have a lot higher tolerance against degradation because of their lower and narrower voltage spread across its operating range.

I see it as a huge win.

I don’t think entry-level at least from the reports coming directly from GM and I’m reading they’re due to go in their full size trucks and SUVs starting in 2028.

The report I’m reading is on Apple news so I’ll supply this GM link first for people who don’t have Apple
https://investor.gm.com/news-releas...-solution-pioneer-lmr-battery-cell-technology

“An employee holds a prismatic battery cell at the General Motors Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Warren, Michigan. The batteries will primarily be used for GM's full-size electric trucks and SUVs. Courtesy of General Motors”
Source https://stocks.apple.com/ASNWMTRV0Q4mgMMyZmn5cTA

 

[Torrid]

I don’t think entry-level at least from the reports coming directly from GM and I’m reading they’re due to go in their full size trucks and SUVs starting in 2028.

The report I’m reading is on Apple news so I’ll supply this GM link first for people who don’t have Apple
https://investor.gm.com/news-releas...-solution-pioneer-lmr-battery-cell-technology

“An employee holds a prismatic battery cell at the General Motors Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Warren, Michigan. The batteries will primarily be used for GM's full-size electric trucks and SUVs. Courtesy of General Motors”
Source https://stocks.apple.com/ASNWMTRV0Q4mgMMyZmn5cTA

They might be going in the bigger trucks. Either the range will go down or the trucks will get heavier. LFP just isn’t as energy dense as NMC.

 

[E365]

The LFP packs will be in the Silverado EV this year. 2026 Silverado EV 3WT trim for fleet customers only. It’s in the GM order guide now. Quoted at “over 350” miles of range. Probably around 150kWh, so between the 14-module Ultium (~120kWh) and the 20 module Ultium (~180kWh). Price unknown…

I could see LFP leaving the Silverado EV line-up in a few years once LMR is in production.

Another downside of LFP is apparently worse performance in the cold. Not sure if that has gotten better over the years.

Of note, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV used an LFP battery.

 

[Torrid]

The LFP packs will be in the Silverado EV this year. 2026 Silverado EV 3WT trim for fleet customers only. It’s in the GM order guide now. Quoted at “over 350” miles of range. Probably around 150kWh, so between the 14-module Ultium (~120kWh) and the 20 module Ultium (~180kWh). Price unknown…

I could see LFP leaving the Silverado EV line-up in a few years once LMR is in production.

Another downside of LFP is apparently worse performance in the cold. Not sure if that has gotten better over the years.

Of note, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV used an LFP battery.

View attachment 283208

View attachment 283209

I haven’t noticed it be worse in cold, but then again my LFP car is 600lbs lighter and less than half the power. I’m sure that’s by a certain percentage and would take real testing to see the number.

 

[alarmguy]

They might be going in the bigger trucks. Either the range will go down or the trucks will get heavier. LFP just isn’t as energy dense as NMC.

@E365

I SEE I MADE A BUNCH OF ERRORS IN PREVIOUS POSTS. I POSTED TWO LINKS, ONE LINK WAS THE STATEMENT THAT THE NEW BOLTS WOULD HAVE AN LFP BATTERY. MY ERROR AS I KNOW NOT MUCH ABOUT BATTERIES. SO ANY REPLIES REGARDING LFP HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH GM BREAKTHROUGH THAT TAKES PLACE IN 2028.

GM WILL BE USING A BATTERY NEVER BEFORE USED IN AN EV ACCORDING TO THEM = LMR

THE REAL STATEMENT WAS THE GM LINK

"GM and LG Energy Solution to pioneer LMR battery cell technology
Tue, May 13, 2025

General Motors and LG Energy Solution will commercialize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells for future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs, in a new battery technology breakthrough. This builds on a partnership between the two companies to develop prismatic battery cell technology...We’re excited to introduce the first-ever LMR prismatic cells for EVs, the culmination of our decades-long research and investment in the technology,”

Has anyone read the link I provided or maybe I typed something wrong. YES I DID TYPE SOMETHING WRONG IN POST I had two links, one was about the new Bolt with LFP and the other about LMR to come out in 2028. THIS is ALL my fault.

Also from the link =
"Battery engineers at GM and LG Energy Solution have developed a new LMR prismatic battery cell that unlocks 33% higher energy density compared to the best-performing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based cells – at a comparable cost."
Here is the link I provided above
https://investor.gm.com/news-releas...-solution-pioneer-lmr-battery-cell-technology

 

[alarmguy]

LFP batteries in the entry level Teslas have the benefit of charging to 100% with less degredation. Not sure if they are still available...

LFP batteries are not in the GM announcement. GM made a breakthrough on a battery never used before in an EV called LMR
Link is above this post, my error that the conversation turned to LFP I posted two links but one had nothing to do with the other.

 

[E365]

No worries, I kinda figured you were talking about LMR GM’s LFP Silverado EV model has kinda snuck through the cracks anyway, I figured I’d post about it anyway in case others hadn’t seen it.

Might be a great option. Still waiting for that price tag reveal though

@E365

I SEE I MADE A BUNCH OF ERRORS IN PREVIOUS POSTS. I POSTED TWO LINKS, ONE LINK WAS THE STATEMENT THAT THE NEW BOLTS WOULD HAVE AN LFP BATTERY. MY ERROR AS I KNOW NOT MUCH ABOUT BATTERIES. SO ANY REPLIES REGARDING LFP HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH GM BREAKTHROUGH THAT TAKES PLACE IN 2028.

GM WILL BE USING A BATTERY NEVER BEFORE USED IN AN EV ACCORDING TO THEM = LMR

THE REAL STATEMENT WAS THE GM LINK

"GM and LG Energy Solution to pioneer LMR battery cell technology
Tue, May 13, 2025

General Motors and LG Energy Solution will commercialize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells for future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs, in a new battery technology breakthrough. This builds on a partnership between the two companies to develop prismatic battery cell technology...We’re excited to introduce the first-ever LMR prismatic cells for EVs, the culmination of our decades-long research and investment in the technology,”

Has anyone read the link I provided or maybe I typed something wrong. YES I DID TYPE SOMETHING WRONG IN POST I had two links, one was about the new Bolt with LFP and the other about LMR to come out in 2028. THIS is ALL my fault.

Also from the link =
"Battery engineers at GM and LG Energy Solution have developed a new LMR prismatic battery cell that unlocks 33% higher energy density compared to the best-performing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based cells – at a comparable cost."
Here is the link I provided above
https://investor.gm.com/news-releas...-solution-pioneer-lmr-battery-cell-technology

 

[Brons2]

The LFP packs will be in the Silverado EV this year. 2026 Silverado EV 3WT trim for fleet customers only. It’s in the GM order guide now. Quoted at “over 350” miles of range. Probably around 150kWh, so between the 14-module Ultium (~120kWh) and the 20 module Ultium (~180kWh). Price unknown…

I could see LFP leaving the Silverado EV line-up in a few years once LMR is in production.

Another downside of LFP is apparently worse performance in the cold. Not sure if that has gotten better over the years.

Of note, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV used an LFP battery.

View attachment 283208

View attachment 283209

350 miles is still better than any Lightning. It might also help address some of the complaints that the Silverado/Sierra are too heavy. Don't know if it will get down into the 6s weight wise but we'll see. My Lightning standard battery weighs 6300, which is only 200 lbs more than my prior shorty Navigator.