GM and LG Energy Solution Jointly Develop LMR Battery with Optimized Price and Performance

July 1 GM Battery Technology Learning Session

General Motors (GM) announced that it is jointly developing LMR (Lithium-Manganese Rich) batteries with LG Energy Solution, aiming to lower electric vehicle prices while improving performance. GM’s goal is to mass-produce LMR batteries, which increase the manganese ratio in lithium-ion battery materials, resulting in a battery with a similar price to LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries but offering greater driving range.

On July 1, Korea GM revealed this plan at the "GM Battery Technology Learning Session" held at the HJ Business Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Yoo Changkeun, Deputy Director of Technology Development at GM Technical Center Korea, stated, "While the LFP battery enables a driving range of 350 miles (563 km), this can be extended to 400 miles (644 km) when replaced with LMR. We plan to mass-produce LMR batteries with LG Energy Solution, which offer similar cost to LFP but significantly superior performance."

Attendees from Korea GM Research and Development Corporation and the head of LG Energy Solution's Automotive Battery Product Development Team (far right in the photo) at the GM Battery Technology Learning Session on the 1st are responding to reporters' questions. Provided by Korea GM

In the past, ternary (NCM) lithium-ion batteries were developed with nickel, cobalt, and manganese in equal proportions. However, as the price of cobalt?a rare metal?rose, high-nickel batteries, which reduce the cobalt content to below 5% and increase the nickel content up to 85%, became the mainstream product.

The next-generation LMR battery under development by GM reduces the proportion of cobalt (to within 2%) and nickel (to 30?40%) in the battery materials, while increasing the manganese ratio to 60?70%. The aim is to enhance price competitiveness by reducing the use of expensive and volatile cobalt and nickel. Deputy Director Yoo explained, "Our validation of LMR showed that its price is similar to LFP, but its energy density is about 33% higher. It can be considered a battery that optimally balances performance and cost."

In May, GM announced plans to begin mass production of prismatic LMR batteries, jointly developed with LG Energy Solution, in 2028. Through their joint venture, Ultium Cells, the two companies plan to conduct pilot production of LMR batteries by the end of 2027 and start full-scale mass production in the first half of 2028. The jointly developed LMR batteries will first be installed mainly in GM’s electric trucks and large electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Yang Youngje, Head of Automotive Battery Product Planning at LG Energy Solution, stated, "LMR is a product that can reduce both the sensitivity to and dependence on cobalt, whose price fluctuates across the supply chain. Compared to LFP, it offers greater design flexibility, allowing for reduced volume, and it can also provide a longer driving range at low temperatures."