Ultium Cells, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, announced that its Tennessee plant will begin producing lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) battery cells, which promise higher energy density than LFP at a similar cost. The cells are scheduled for use in electric trucks and large SUVs starting in 2028.
Ultium Cells, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, announced that its battery production facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, will undergo upgrades in preparation for producing prismatic lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) battery cells. According to GM, the facility will be the first plant in the world to produce this type of cell in large quantities.
The announcement establishes the production location for the first time, after GM and LG Energy Solution unveiled LMR technology more than a year ago. The plant upgrade work is scheduled to begin later in 2026 and be completed by 2028, with 500 jobs added, bringing total employment at the facility to 1,700 employees.
What distinguishes LMR cells?
Ultium Cells says LMR cells can provide 33% higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells while maintaining a similar cost. This equation aims to address the main challenge facing lower-priced electric vehicles: increasing driving range without relying entirely on more expensive battery chemistries.
GM explains that its high-nickel batteries will remain its highest-range option, but introducing LMR gives it a middle category between economical LFP cells and higher-performance high-nickel batteries. The company says that combining high-nickel, LFP and LMR technologies, along with pouch and prismatic designs, will help it expand production and reach more customers.
What changes in practical terms?
GM intends to use LMR batteries in upcoming electric trucks and large SUVs, targeting a range of more than 400 miles per charge. The company expects to launch the first vehicle equipped with these batteries in 2028. For comparison, the current Chevrolet Silverado EV achieves an estimated range of up to 478 miles using a high-nickel battery.
For the large electric vehicle market, the technology could enable a combination of relatively long range and a battery cost closer to LFP solutions. However, the figures cited represent technical capabilities announced by Ultium Cells, not yet published operating results from a production vehicle; the source also did not identify the GM models that will use the cells or their final prices.
certi.news analysis
The most important development is not merely the announcement of a new chemistry, but LMR’s transition to a large-scale prismatic production plan at a specified industrial site. The project’s success will depend on GM and LG Energy Solution’s ability to translate the announced energy density into real-world range while maintaining cost and performance in commercial production. 2028 remains the key testing point, as the technology’s impact on vehicles and prices cannot be assessed before the first models relying on it appear.