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GM Signs Agreement With Vianode For EV Battery Synthetic Graphite Supply

GM has signed a multi-billion dollar deal with Vianode, a Norwegian synthetic graphite battery manufacturer, to provide the automaker with graphite anode materials for use in new General Motors’ electric vehicles. The materials will be used in EV batteries produced under the Ultium Cells joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution, and will take effect in 2027 once Vianode begins production at a new North American plant. The new Vianode plant will be located in either the U.S. or Canada, and is expected to be situated near an Ultium Cell battery production facility.

GM EV batteries in production.

“The entire EV ecosystem depends upon the import of one critical mineral,” said Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube, according to a report from Reuters. “What General Motors wants and we want is a resilient supply chain for North America.”

Vianode currently operates a facility in Herøya, Norway. The exact location of the new North American Vianode plant is currently under negotiation between company partners and governments. Once operational, the facility will produce an estimated 80,000 tons of synthetic graphite annually by the 2030 calendar year, which is enough material to power an estimated 1.5 million EVs.

The new GM agreement is expected to last until 2033. Vianode is currently in talks with other automakers as well.

Vianode claims that its synthetic anode graphite provides a 90-percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional production methods. At present, China controls roughly 95 percent of the global graphite supply. Graphite is a vital component to EV battery production, and there is mounting pressure on U.S. automakers to build out the North American EV supply chain in the face of massive tariffs and regulations restricting the use of Chinese-sourced EV materials and components. The Biden administration recently finalized new rules addressing Chinese car software and hardware that is imported to the U.S.

“The EV industry is still growing and exploring a new mine takes a decade, maybe longer,” Straube said, per Reuters. “With synthetic graphite, you can build another plant in two or three years.”

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. If they don’t stop fussing over EVs to the detriment of other types of propulsion, GM is headed down the toilet. Why can’t shareholders see that and boot Mary? Same thing going on over at Ford, but for different reasons. Don’t come crying to me.

    Reply
    1. EVs are the future, it’s those who refuse to see that who are going to be flushed down the toilet.

      Reply
  2. The world is moving towards electric, even if it is a bit slower than expected. GM NOT fussing over EV’s would spell their doom.

    Reply
  3. Th world is not moving towards EV’s, for some people they will work great, for many they will not..

    Reply
    1. The world is moving towards EVs. Today EVs can do everyones daily driving. Batteries are getting better, range better, and charging is getting better.

      Reply
  4. All of you who come to this site to criticize GM’s EV advancement are very clueless. Imagine China is advancing its EV technology rapidly and entering global markets with ease at the expense of other auto manufacturers. Yet you idiots think that American car companies should develop ICE technology only and survive in the future.

    Reply

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