Key facts
- General Motors is reconsidering its use of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for future electric vehicles.
- GM's battery chief Kurt Kelty indicated a focus on lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry.
- LMR batteries offer higher energy density than LFP for similar cost and weight.
- LFP cells produced at GM's Tennessee plant will be for energy storage, not EVs.
- Ford is also developing LMR chemistry for its future electric vehicles.
General Motors is signaling a potential shift away from lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for its future electric vehicles, with battery chief Kurt Kelty indicating a preference for lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry. While GM had previously planned to use LFP batteries starting in late 2027 at a jointly owned plant in Tennessee, Kelty stated that LFP may not be included in the company's portfolio. Instead, GM is focusing on LMR, which it claims offers comparable costs to LFP but with higher energy density for the same weight and size. The Tennessee plant will begin producing LFP cells this month, but these are designated for energy storage systems. This strategic pivot aligns with Ford's efforts to scale LMR chemistry for its future EVs. Despite LMR's advantages, including reduced reliance on critical minerals, technical challenges like battery degradation may hinder widespread adoption in the near term. Many competitors, including Tesla, Rivian, and Ford, are embracing LFP to reduce costs and offer more affordable EVs amid slowing demand.