GM Announces Upgrade to Produce LMR EV Batteries at Spring Hill Plant
The new lithium manganese-rich cells are expected to offer 33% higher energy density than LFP at comparable cost.
General Motors announced on September 29 that it will upgrade its Ultium battery facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, to manufacture cells based on a new lithium manganese-rich (LMR) chemistry. The move signals the automaker’s continued commitment to electric vehicle battery development despite recent shifts in federal energy policy and a slowdown in US EV sales.
What Happened
The announcement confirms that GM, through its joint venture Ultium Cells with LG Energy Solution, is proceeding with plans to commercialize LMR battery technology. The company stated that the new formula is expected to deliver improved performance at a lower cost than other batteries in the affordability category. Specifically, GM claims the LMR cells will provide an energy density 33% greater than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries at a comparable cost. The investment in LFP and LMR technologies combined is projected to reach $2 billion by 2030.
GM Vice President of Battery and Sustainability Kurt Kelty indicated that the company will maintain a multi-chemistry approach. High-nickel batteries will continue to serve markets where long range is the priority, while LMR will target affordability. This development follows earlier disclosures from May 2025, where GM stated its aim to become the first automaker to deploy LMR batteries in EVs, with commercial production planned to start in the United States by 2028 and pre-production expected at an LG Energy Solution facility by late 2027.
Why It Matters
This initiative represents a strategic pivot for GM, which had previously scaled back EV lineups after the elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. By focusing on LMR, GM is attempting to reclaim competitive ground in the global EV market, particularly against Chinese manufacturers who have dominated the low-cost LFP battery sector. The University of California-Santa Barbara’s Institute of Energy Efficiency previously described GM’s LMR development as a potential breakthrough for American manufacturers to reclaim high ground in battery technology.
The move also highlights the ongoing competition among automakers to solve the affordability crisis in electric vehicles. While GM pushes for LMR, other manufacturers like Ford are also investing in research and development for manganese-based chemistries, addressing historical issues such as short lifespan and voltage decay. The successful deployment of LMR could significantly impact the pricing structure of future electric trucks and full-sized SUVs, which were initially targeted for this technology.
The Bottom Line
GM is advancing its LMR battery roadmap with a facility upgrade in Tennessee, aiming for commercial production by 2028. The company asserts that this technology will offer higher energy density than LFP at a similar cost, positioning it as a key tool for making future EVs more affordable and competitive against international rivals.
