UPDATE: GM, LG Energy Solution to develop prismatic battery cells for EVs

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–US carmaker General Motors (GM) and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution will join hands to develop prismatic battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs).

“GM expects the prismatic cell technology developed under the agreement to power future GM electric vehicles, as part of the company’s strategy to diversify its supply chain, leveraging multiple chemistries and form factors,” GM said in a statement on 2 December.

Prismatic cells feature a flat, rectangular shape with a rigid enclosure, which allows for space-efficient packaging within battery modules and packs.

This can reduce EV weight and cost, while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of modules and mechanical components, GM said.

The two companies are extending their 14-year battery technology partnership to include prismatic cell development.

“LG Energy Solution has both experience with prismatic cell production and an extensive patent portfolio on battery design and manufacturing technologies, including packaging,” GM said.

LG Energy solution executive vice president and head of advanced automotive battery division Wonjoon Suh said: “We look forward to deepening our collaboration to drive the right chemistry and battery combinations for continued growth in the EV market.”

The automotive industry is a major global consumer of petrochemicals, which account for more than a third of the raw material costs of an average vehicle.

EVs and associated battery markets, on the other hand, provide growth opportunity for the chemical industry.

Chemical producers have been separately developing battery materials, as well as specialty polymers and adhesives, for the environment-friendly vehicles.

“Together with LG Energy Solution, we’ve built Ultium Cells into one of the largest battery cell manufacturers in North America,” GM vice president of battery cell and pack Kurt Kelty said.

Ultium Cells – which are currently being produced in Ohio and Tennessee in the US - power GM’s latest EVs including the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV, as well as the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and sports utility vehicle (SUV).

“We’re focused on optimizing our battery technology by developing the right battery chemistries and form factors to improve EV performance, enhance safety, and reduce costs,” Kelty said.

In a separate statement on 2 December, GM said it has reached a non-binding agreement to sell its stake in the nearly completed Ultium Cells LLC battery cell plant in Lansing, Michigan to its joint venture partner LG Energy Solution.

Financial details were not disclosed, but the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.

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Additional reporting by Pearl Bantillo

Thumbnail image: Hummer electric vehicles at a General Motors factory in Detroit, Michigan, US – 17 November 2021 (By Dominick Sokotoff/Shutterstock)