https://insideevs.com/news/798481/gm-lmr-not-lpf-batteries/
LFP is the industry’s go-to cheap EV battery tech, but GM says another chemistry could offer similar cost benefits with fewer drawbacks.
Automakers are increasingly relying on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries to make their electric vehicles cheaper, but GM could skip this chemistry in favor of something it deems even better
GM had been open to offering LFP batteries in its future EVs, and even launched the new Chevy Bolt with an LFP battery. But Reuters quotes the company’s battery head honcho Kurt Kelty as saying that the technology may not have a future at GM.
GM has been working on LMR batteries for over 10 years, and it has gradually improved this chemistry.
It touts LMR as offering the same cost-lowering benefits as LFP, but without the latter’s energy density penalty relative to nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry (typically used in premium and long-range EVs).
*However, LMR has yet to prove itself, and there are still technical challenges to overcome before it becomes viable for mass-market applications. *
LMR cells will have 33% higher energy density while staying cost-competitive with LFP and offering better cold-weather performance.