GM may ditch LFP batteries for future EVs

General Motors may abandon its strategy of incorporating lower-cost lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries into its future electric vehicle lineup, according to the company's head of battery technology.

Kurt Kelty, GM's battery chief, told Reuters that the Detroit automaker is shifting its focus to developing lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries. GM has previously stated that LMR batteries cost about the same to produce in the U.S. as LFP but offer superior energy storage capacity for equivalent weight and size.

Kelty indicated that LFP batteries might not make it into GM's electric vehicle portfolio. While the Tennessee factory will start producing LFP cells this month, these are designated for energy storage systems. He referred to LMR as the "workhorse" for GM, where the company anticipates "big volume" usage.

GM has been developing LMR technology for over a decade. This potential departure from LFP marks a contrast to many competitors, including Tesla, Rivian, and Ford, who are adopting LFP batteries to reduce costs and offer more affordable EVs amid slowing demand. GM's current U.S. EVs exclusively use nickel-rich battery chemistry, though its least expensive model, the Chevrolet Bolt, reportedly uses LFP cells from CATL.

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There is a possibility where LFP does not earn its way into our portfolio. That's where we're going to be using the big volume.