General Motors, through its joint venture Ultium Cells with LG Energy Solution, will begin converting production lines at its Tennessee plant later this year to produce affordable LFP EV batteries. Ultium Cells declared the fresh round of upgrades on Monday to the Spring Hill, Tennessee, battery facility to support production of LFP battery cells.
The initiative marks a strategic shift toward more affordable EV battery manufacturing, signaling the beginning of a new phase in the company’s electrification efforts.
GM will begin retooling its battery assembly lines before the year concludes, with new battery production expected to commence by late 2027. The facility expansion stems from a previously disclosed $2.3 billion investment made in 2021, though the company hasn’t disclosed the specific amount allocated for the latest upgrade.
The Tennessee project is projected to generate hundreds of new jobs at the facility, which currently has a workforce of 1,300 employees.
The integration of LFP cells aligns with the company’s goal to deliver more cost-effective, long-lasting, and eco-friendly battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to mainstream consumers, particularly as federal BEV incentives are scheduled to expire this September. Known for lower production costs, extended lifespan, and superior thermal management, LFP cells are considered especially suitable for affordable and high-volume BEV models.
GM has stated that both the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV and the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV will be equipped with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. According to the company, the LFP-powered Silverado EV is expected to deliver approximately 350 miles of range while trimming about $6,000 from production costs, highlighting GM’s push toward more affordable and efficient electric vehicles.
The Ultium Cells plant in Spring Hill currently manufactures battery cells using a nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA) chemistry. As the facility expands to incorporate additional battery technologies, General Motors has confirmed that its Warren, Ohio Ultium Cells sites will maintain exclusive production of NMC cells.
GM’s Spring Hill facility houses production of both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric models within a single site. In addition to a battery assembly line, the plant manufactures the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, as well as the Acura ZDX.
AUTO TECH | Agero Partners with Polestar for EV Roadside Assistance
