LG Energy Solutions begins mass production of batteries for the first large electric trucks of General Motors (GM), the largest automaker in the United States. It was confirmed that the delivery of the first volume will be produced at LG Energy Solution's domestic plant. Ultium Cells, a joint venture established by LG Energy Solutions and GM, will start supplying from next year.
According to the industry on the 30th, LG Energy Solution is expected to start operating the GM battery production line at its domestic plant in the fourth quarter of this year.
This line was built for the initial supply of GM heavy electric trucks. This is where the long-axis (long-cell) battery for the GM electric truck Hummer is made.
GM is known to have promoted the installation of long-cell batteries with various performances. The long cell specifications are known to be 580 mm in width and 113 mm in height.
The width and height have been increased with pouch batteries. It is the largest size as a pouch and uses a quaternary cathode material to increase space utilization. It is the first time that NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) quaternary cathode material has been applied to a pouch.
LG Chem supplies NCMA cathode materials containing 85% nickel. The new NCMA lowered the proportion of cobalt by 15% compared to the NCM622 (nickel 60%, cobalt 20%, manganese 20%) cathode material applied to the existing GM electric vehicles.
Even a small amount of cobalt can improve battery performance, but it is expensive. In this way, while reducing cobalt, aluminum is added along with manganese to enhance battery performance and reduce manufacturing costs. The long-cell battery energy capacity is said to be more than 100 amps(Ah), and it can run more than 600 km on a single charge.
The long-cell battery to be installed by GM has advantages for the application of electric vehicle platforms. The characteristic of long cell is that it can serve as a platform support.
GM will expand its electric vehicle lineup along with next year's Hummer follow-up orders. Ultium Cells, a joint venture with LG Energy Solutions, will supply batteries to about 20 types of lineups from the first half of next year. Starting with the operation of the first Ultium Cells plant, the two companies are also promoting the establishment of a second plant in the United States. As Ultium Cells' electric vehicle supply expands, along with LG Chem, POSCO Chemical and L&F are also known to supply battery materials.
An LG Energy Solution official said, "It is difficult to confirm the details of the customer, but the battery supply and construction of the US battery plant are proceeding as planned."
By Staff Reporter Ji-woong Kim (jw0316@etnews.com)