The Korea Economic Daily reports that both LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI will work with General Motors to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for EVs in the United States. According to a source familiar with the matter, LG plans to convert segments of its Ultium Spring Hill and Ultium Warren facilities to fulfill this plan, and Samsung’s joint venture with GM in Indiana will produce LFP batteries.
“GM’s decision is likely a harbinger of what’s to come across the industry. With cost pressure mounting, more automakers will turn to LFP for their volume models,” said an auto industry executive, according to KED.
LFP batteries have safety and longevity advantages over other types of EV batteries, but their most significant strength is their relatively low cost due to their lower nickel content. The big trade-off is lower energy density, which means a lower range compared to battery packs with higher nickel content.
According to the report, GM intends to use LFP batteries in its lower-end and mid-range EV models. We reported in 2023 that GM will use this battery chemistry in the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV, but now it sounds like the Chevy Blazer EV, Chevy Equinox EV, and more variants of the Chevy Silverado EV (already available in the 3WT model for 2026) will utilize LFP batteries for the cost advantages.
Higher-end EV models like the GMC Hummer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq will continue to use nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, which are costlier, but have advantages in performance, range, and charging speed.
“The global EV market is no longer just about energy density,” a Korean battery executive told KED. “Cost, supply chain resilience, and policy are just as important. With LFP’s resurgence, Korea must adapt or risk losing ground.”
LFP batteries were discussed at GM’s Investor Day Event in October 2024. GM Vice President of Battery and Pack Kurt Kelty discussed the idea of using this battery chemistry in electric trucks to drive down cost while retaining long-range ratings. He also talked about using prismatic battery cells, which GM has outlined in a patent filing.
Comments
Like absurd continuing investment in China, automakers in the US are still being ridiculously pigheaded and arrogant about EVs. They are tainted, regardless of the technology, and will be shunned for another decade. Just. Give. It. Up. A few very public “incidents” and the same will happen to PHEVS and HEVs. Just watch.
How about YOU give up you are being the absurd one!
LFP batteries are also the safest chemistry they do not have thermal runaway.
Patience will payoff in the long run. Consumers will transition to EV’s when they’re not forced, vehicle diversity in manufacturers lineups will determine who makes it through this evolution. Charging stations will become more convenient, I have driven both for several years and starting to prefer the EV. Long term EV’s should be more reliable and more affordable to operate, time will tell. More affordable EV’s are key to getting people to try an EV, even if it’s just for commuting. Charging at home is convenient and economical. Give it 15 or 20 years and EV’s will outnumber ICE vehicles being sold. GM should be able to sell as many Bolt EV’s as they can make, if they keep the price closer to $25k.
very well said.
It looks like GM will transition to LMR in the near future (2028 MY). It’s not fully clear how LMR stacks up against LFP (other than being 33% more energy dense).
CATL which is the largest manufacturer of LFP is starting to move to other chemistries. So this LFP move by GM might be short term?
Of note GM is currently using NCMA (not just NCM). Which is more energy dense and a bit more cost effective.
I’m guessing that the LFP Bolt pack would be a 96S 2P with about ~60KWh usable. A double stacked version of that would make a great entry pack for the BT1 GM EV trucks.
GM is doing all the right things. Learning from the Japanese slow and steady. Unfortunately the Japanese do no have an ev. I think Toyota is waiting to copy everyone .
Toyota has the bZ4X now renamed to the Toyota bZ for MY26.
GM might be on crash course to what people really want in an EV: it isn’t low cost and low “Range” it is an EV that will last and have “Range” equal to or better than an ICE vehicle. If you compare an EV Blazer to an ICE Blazer people will buy the ICE Blazer for both reasons, it is less expensive to purchase and it can travel on long road trips with ease. Make an EV that can do that and you put the ICE Blazer out to pasture for ever, no oil changes, no tune ups, no air filter changes, brakes that last forever (use Regen), and it becomes very clear and simple.