General Motors have recently announced a partnership with a start up lithium metal battery manufacturer to help boost the U.S. manufacturers electric vehicle battery capacity. Ultimately providing extended driving range, something electric 4x4s desperately need if they’re to be taken seriously, including the new all-electric GMC Hummer.
Working jointly with SolidEnergy Solutions, GM are hoping to develop over the next few years a production ready Lithium Metal battery pack dubbed Ultium. The goal is a 60% reduction in expense, twice the energy density, and a significant reduction in weight as a result.
Energy density levels in current Lithium Ion battery packs are a major contributor to the ballooning GVM of current electric vehicles. The all-electric F150 lightning weighs nearly 3T in stock form, 35% heavier than its traditional petrol powered siblings. By creating a more energy dense battery pack GM hopes to increase range for similar weight and size as current packs. Or create packs with the same range as todays EVs with smaller and lighter footprints.
GM executives have stated the Ultium packs currently in development are slotted for inclusion in the upcoming GMC Hummer electric pickup. “This is a great opportunity for us to find greater energy in a smaller package that will free up the space inside the vehicle for other technology,” Kent Helfrich, executive director of GM’s global electrification and battery systems says.
GM have told investors they’re funnelling 27 Billion dollars towards electric and self-driving vehicles with plans to launch 30 EVs globally within the next four years. They’ve further stated they’re aiming to wind up manufacturing of petrol and diesel powered light-duty vehicles by 2035.
The new lithium metal battery packs have currently completed over 250,000km of simulated driving at GMs tech center and with a variety of other manufacturers joining into the program id bodes well for all-electric 4x4s with 1000+km ranges between refills.
Quick Links
GMC Hummer EV Official Site
Australian Mines converting to EV
