Normal Motors might add totally different battery chemistries and type elements that transfer past its plans with LG Power Answer because the automaker launches a line of inexpensive electrical autos, analysts mentioned.
GM has introduced three U.S. battery vegetation with LG Power Answer underneath its three way partnership, Ultium Cells. The businesses have mentioned for months that they might add a fourth U.S. plant however haven’t reached an settlement.
The automaker plans to supply a line of EVs priced beneath $30,000. However that might power it to maneuver away from the high-cost lithium nickel cobalt manganese chemistry, or NCM, used within the Ultium design. A distinct chemistry, such because the inexpensive lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, would get GM nearer to its worth goal however might require an extra battery companion, analysts mentioned.
“If you are going to construct a low-cost EV, I do not see how you are able to do it with an NCM battery,” mentioned Conrad Layson, senior various propulsion analyst at AutoForecast Options. “I believe it’s a must to use an LFP. Meaning shorter vary, much less efficiency than many drivers anticipate.”
GM spokesperson Phil Lienert declined to debate future expertise plans however touted the flexibleness of the Ultium platform. It might probably accommodate “a spread of cell type elements and battery chemistries,” he mentioned.
The platform is chemistry-agnostic and may take pouch, cylindrical or prismatic cells, GM CEO Mary Barra advised analysts final month. She mentioned the automaker is contemplating the usage of all three.
“We’re wanting actually at efficiency,” she mentioned. “With the best way that you just configure the packs inside Ultium, the distinction of the cells [has to do] with efficiency and the way can we get the max profit.”
Discussions a couple of fourth Ultium plant are ongoing, LG Power Answer mentioned in a press release to Automotive Information.
GM executives have mentioned the automaker would construct an EV for patrons in each worth tier, with some priced beneath $30,000.
Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst with Guidehouse Insights, expects that GM will add vegetation to construct lithium iron phosphate batteries to energy lower-cost mass-market EVs and industrial EVs.
These cells sometimes price about 30 p.c lower than nickel cobalt manganese cells, however the hole could have widened on larger nickel costs, he mentioned.
If GM have been to construct an EV with a 100-kilowatt-hour battery, the price of doing so with an NCM battery can be about $15,000 at immediately’s materials costs, in line with Abuelsamid. Batteries for that very same mannequin utilizing LFP chemistry can be nearer to $10,000, based mostly on present pricing. The $5,000 financial savings can be a big consider GM’s capability to promote the automotive at a lower cost.
The driving vary of EVs with LFP batteries is 30 to 35 p.c shorter than for autos with NCM batteries, he mentioned. However that also suits the wants of many industrial autos, which journey repeated and predetermined routes. And it’s appropriate for many on a regular basis work commutes, Abuelsamid mentioned.
GM has touted the usage of stackable pouch cells for its Ultium battery structure. The modular design permits GM to make use of the identical platform with any car sort — from automobiles to industrial vans and full-size pickups.
Pouch and prismatic cells may be stacked with minimal area between cells due to their rectangular form. They fill the quantity of the complete battery pack or module, Abuelsamid mentioned. Cylindrical cells cannot be packed as densely. The area between them when put in in an oblong module leads to decrease power density, he mentioned.
GM might additionally take into account cell-to-pack designs with LFP batteries, which might enhance the share of lively materials at a decrease price, he mentioned.
“It is means cheaper than nickel chemistries. Iron and phosphorus are available in all places,” Abuelsamid mentioned. “You are not going to have any provide chain points with iron and phosphorus. And it is also very sturdy.”
No matter cell type and battery chemistry, modular architectures are simpler to service than cell-to-pack constructions, however the modules take up extra space. Sometimes, solely 30 to 40 p.c of the pack quantity in modular architectures is lively cathode and anode materials, however the lively materials can double with a cell-to-pack structure, Abuelsamid mentioned.
Lindsay VanHulle contributed to this report.