GM-LG EV Battery Cells will be produced at the upgraded Ultium Cells plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, using lower-cost lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic technology. The upgrade starts later in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2028, with the project projected to create 500 jobs.
Tennessee Plant Gets Major Battery Upgrade
The Spring Hill facility currently produces lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for energy storage systems. Under the new project, the plant will be upgraded to support mass production of LMR prismatic cells for future GM EVs.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion targeted for 2028. The expansion is projected to create around 500 new jobs, expanding domestic battery manufacturing.
Why GM Is Turning to LMR Battery Technology
LMR chemistry is designed to reduce reliance on costly nickel and cobalt by using more manganese, an abundant, lower-cost material. This could lower battery and vehicle manufacturing costs.
The technology is also targeting a performance advantage over LFP. LMR cells are expected to offer about 33% higher energy density than LFP cells at a similar cost. For GM, that could make the chemistry suitable for electric trucks and SUVs where range and affordability matter.
Key highlights:
- Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee
- Battery chemistry: Lithium manganese-rich (LMR)
- Cell format: Prismatic
- Expected energy-density advantage: About 33% over LFP
- Upgrade begins: Later in 2026
- Construction completion: Expected in 2028
- Projected jobs: 500
- Commercial production date: Not yet disclosed
GM’s Evolving EV Battery Strategy
The project also signals a shift in GM’s battery roadmap. GM has previously targeted commercial LMR cell production at a U.S. facility in 2028. Its battery leadership has also indicated that the automaker could move away from an earlier plan centred on LFP cells and focus more heavily on LMR technology.
GM-LG EV Battery Cells could become part of GM’s next-generation affordable EV strategy.
What Happens Next?
The Tennessee upgrade is expected to begin later this year and finish in 2028. However, GM and LG have not provided a specific commercial production start date.
GM-LG EV Battery Cells could give the automaker access to a lower-cost chemistry for future GM EVs, with higher energy density than LFP. The key question is whether these gains translate into more affordable EVs with competitive range.
GM LG EV Battery Cells represent a significant step in the automaker’s evolving battery strategy, combining cost-focused chemistry with domestic manufacturing expansion.
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