GM has constructed a powerful argument round the concept that one particular battery cell format, co-developed with LG, is a key for the corporate realizing sure economies of scale because it ramps up EV manufacturing.
However latest studies have advised that GM is procuring round, and could also be contemplating a shift to cylindrical cells for some upcoming automobiles. And whereas remarks this week from the corporate’s high government didn’t affirm that, they advised that the corporate could not be as centered on that singular answer because it was two years in the past, when it revealed its Ultium propulsion technique for scaling up EVs.
In a convention name with monetary analysts held Tuesday, GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed that sure, the corporate is taking a look at different codecs—because it has all alongside.
Basic Motors’ BEV3 platform and Ultium batteries
“One of many robust factors of the Ultium platform is that it’s chemistry-agnostic and it may possibly take pouch, prismatic, or cylindrical cells,” Barra stated. “And so we will look to what’s going to be the correct battery for the precise automobile from a efficiency perspective, so we now have that full flexibility.”
Barra known as the report of a dedication to cylindrical cells “hypothesis.” However she did remark a bit extra on the thought at a number of factors.
“Our crew has been working and taking a look at all three cell kind components for some time,” Barra added, in response to a different follow-up query on the cells. She pointed to how GM is at the moment putting in prismatic cells into a number of Ultium-based automobiles as inbuilt China—the Cadillac Lyriq and a minimum of one Buick mannequin.”
One to rule all of them
Within the U.S., GM has emphasised that its single large-format pouch cell might be configured horizontally or vertically into modules, permitting single- or double-layer packs appropriate for carrying six to 24 modules. That would underpin every thing from mid-size automobiles and sports activities automobiles, or crossovers just like the $30,000 Chevrolet Equinox EV, on as much as gigantic vans just like the GMC Hummer EV and upcoming Chevy Silverado EV.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck prototype
GM additionally confirmed in its replace that it is nonetheless planning to ramp up manufacturing of the Silverado EV WT (Work Truck) for industrial prospects this spring.
Individually GM and Honda are working collectively on an Ultium platform appropriate for compact automobiles, with the primary automobiles due by 2027.
GM has emphasised that the Ultium platform’s industry-first wi-fi battery administration system will make the substitutions of modules filled with completely different chemistries or cell varieties straightforward to combine with out having to fully redesign the pack.
Doable electrical Chevrolet Camaro in GM Ultium teaser video
There are some actual packaging drawbacks, although. Its cell format—a bigger pouch cell than some other automaker is utilizing—has created some notably tall pack kind components, although. A shift to cylindrical cells would possibly assist decrease their profile for passenger automobiles and make the automobiles simpler to design for peak aerodynamics and driving vary.
What about economies of scale?
Monetary analysts in GM’s quarterly name didn’t take the query to the subsequent step—by urgent Barra, maybe, on how such a call would possibly have an effect on the price of the cells or the horizon for attending to economies of scale, which the corporate hasn’t shied away from speaking about prior to now. GM had stated a pair years in the past that the Ultium technique’s large-format NCMA pouch cell—co-developed between GM and LG—was “priceless” as a result of it allowed the automaker to maintain driving down value with economies of scale on the best way to parity with combustion automobiles later this decade.
The corporate has additionally teased that it’s been operating sturdiness testing on its “next-gen Ultium” cells that is likely to be phased in for the later a part of the last decade—doubtlessly subbed in simply with the flexibleness of the platform. These would possibly additional support affordability whereas giving the corporate the selection to prioritize value or a 600-mile vary.
GM Ultium battery
In Tuesday’s name, Barra known as LG Power Resolution “an extremely necessary associate” to GM, and reported that the businesses are working effectively collectively on the launches of crops within the Lordstown, Ohio, one in Spring Hill, Tennessee, this summer time, and one in Lansing, Michigan, to observe in 2024.
“And we’re going to want a fourth plant and extra crops past that…proper now, there’s nothing that is actually modified in our plan to have battery manufacturing functionality right here within the U.S. and broadly, in North America as effectively,” Barra stated.
GM could also be taking part in wait-and-see with that fourth plant for a number of potential causes. Every of three upcoming battery crops goals for 37 to 40 gigawatt-hours yearly. As soon as ramped up, they would offer sufficient capability for effectively over 1,000,000 EVs a yr.
Conceptual drawing of Ultium Cells plant in Tennessee
For no matter motive, Barra didn’t reiterate that the fourth battery plant would produce the identical cell format that it’s stated is essential for economies of scale.
Whether or not this implies the fourth plant would possibly construct cells in a distinct—maybe cylindrical—format, or whether or not GM is merely delaying the choice relying on the uneasy implementation of the EV tax credit score and its home sourcing guidelines, it appears the automaker is preserving its choices open.