General Motors and LG Energy Solution will begin commercial production of lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells by 2028, targeting next-generation electric trucks and full-size SUVs.
The new battery technology, developed through their Ultium Cells joint venture, delivers 33% higher energy density than current lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells at a comparable cost, due to a higher proportion of affordable manganese in the battery’s cathode.
LG Energy Solution will begin pre-production in late 2027 at its facility, while GM’s Battery Cell Development Center in Warren, Michigan, and LG’s site will conduct final production validation earlier that year. GM aims to be the first automaker to deploy LMR technology in EVs.
This innovation supports GM’s push to offer more than 400 miles of range in electric trucks while reducing battery pack costs compared to current high-nickel batteries. Prismatic battery cells also improve manufacturing and space efficiency—critical for large-format EV platforms.
“We’re pioneering manganese-rich battery technology to unlock premium range and performance at an affordable cost, especially in electric trucks,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s VP of battery, propulsion, and sustainability, in the company’s press release.
LMR cells complement GM’s existing high-nickel and LFP battery technologies, offering customers more EV options. LG Energy Solution, which holds over 200 patents in LMR technology, began developing the chemistry in 2010 and brings significant intellectual property and research expertise to the joint effort.
The companies have collaborated since 2015 to overcome performance and durability challenges related to LMR chemistry. GM engineers prototyped the cells at its Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center, optimizing EV applications’ materials, electrolytes, additives, and form factors.
Ultimately, the move supports GM’s broader goal of strengthening its domestic EV supply chain by sourcing materials like lithium, graphite, and manganese from North America, aligning with federal goals for clean energy and job creation.
