General Motors Looks to Make Long-Range EV Batteries With MIT Spinoff SolidEnergy Systems
【Summary】While first-gen Ultium batteries aren’t even being offered in electric cars yet, General Motors is looking at working on its next-gen Ultium batteries by addressing issues with cost and energy density.

Nearly every single automaker, besides Tesla, has been too slow to introduce electric cars. So, while Tesla has a vehicle that has an estimated range of up to 520 miles, everyone else is hanging around in the 300-mile mark. Now, everyone's playing catchup. And when you're this far behind the competition, you really have to think far ahead. Case in point, General Motors doesn't have an electric car on sale that has its Ultium batteries, but the American automaker is already looking to work on its next-gen Ultium batteries.
Next-Gen Batteries In The Works
Earlier this week, GM announced a new joint venture with SolidEnergy Systems (SES), which is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff company that specializes in developing lithium metal batteries. This isn't a new partnership, as GM has been investing in SES for roughly six years. The recent announcement reveals that the two companies are taking things to a new level, as they plan to build a new manufacturing line in Massachusetts to manufacture prototype batteries for GM.
According to GM President Mark Reuss, the batteries that the two companies will develop will help the automaker come out with EVs that are more affordable and offer higher levels of performance. The batteries are expected to make up GM's next-gen set of Ultium batteries, which are expected to come out in the middle of the decade.
"Affordability and range are two major barriers to mass EV adoption," said Reuss. "With this next-generation Ultium chemistry, we believe we're on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation improvement in energy density and cost. There's even more room to improve in both categories, and we intend to innovate faster than any other company in this space."
Initial Prototypes Look Promising
Initial prototype batteries that GM has developed with SES have had promising results. The companies have completed 150,000 simulated test miles at research labs, which shows a lot of promise for real-world application.
"Because of the high energy density of lithium metal, it delivers a significantly longer driving range than today's EV batteries. Our Li-Metal batteries charge quickly, too — up to 80% of battery capacity in just 15 minutes," said Qichao Hu, SolidEnergy Systems CEO. "Our technology makes these features available at an accessible price by enabling production using traditional lithium-ion manufacturing infrastructure. It's very cost-effective and suited for large-scale production."
SES has developed an "anode-free" lithium metal battery that is twice as dense as comparable lithium-ion batteries in today's market. The batteries weigh less and take up less space, which could translate to lightweight vehicles that have more batteries. The result means more range. Reuss is targeting around 500 to 600 miles with these next-gen batteries.
This is the kind of thing that GM needs if it wants to be a real competitor to Tesla. The automaker has put a lot of effort into making lithium-ion batteries, as GM currently has 49 patents that are related to the piece of tech with an additional 45 that are pending. Batteries are the next battleground for automakers, as more look to get an edge on one another.
-
Ralph Nader Calls for NHTSA to Remove Tesla Full Self-Driving
-
California DMV Accuses Tesla of Making False Claims About its Driver-Assist Systems
-
Automakers Urge Consumers to Buy an EV Before Tax Credit Changes
-
Toyota Offering Multiple Solutions for Non-Drivable bZ4X Electric SUVs
-
GM's Rebate of up to $6,000 on the Bolt EV and EUV Has a Big Stipulation
-
BMW Expands i4 Lineup With the Affordable eDrive35
-
Faraday Future Delays Launch of FF91 Electric SUV Again
-
New Senate Deal Would Expand EV Tax Credits
- Honda is Developing Three New EV Platforms by 2030, Including One That Will Be Shared With GM, Executive Says
- Lucid Group Announces Agreement With Government of Saudi Arabia to Purchase 100,000 of its Vehicles Over the Next Decade
- Ultra-Fast EV Charger Developer FreeWire Technologies Launches its New Global Headquarters, R&D, and Manufacturing Facility in Newark, California
- Ralph Nader Calls for NHTSA to Remove Tesla Full Self-Driving
- Volvo Cars and Epic Games to Partner on a High-Resolution 3D Digital Driver’s Display Powered by the Unreal Engine
- Hyundai's 2022 IONIQ 5 Electric SUV Awarded an IIHS 'Top Safety Plus' Rating
- Rivian to Install Electric Vehicle Chargers in Michigan State Parks as Part of a New Partnership
- Volkswagen’s Software Company CARIAD to Use BlackBerry QNX to Support ADAS and Autonomous Driving Functions of Future VW Vehicles
- Faraday Future Delays Launch of FF91 Electric SUV Again
- Luxury Electric Automaker Lucid Group to Receive $3.4 Billion in Incentives to Build its Second EV Factory in Saudi Arabia