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GM and LG’s New LMR Battery Cells: 2028 EV Production Plans Explained

GM and LG plan LMR prismatic battery production in the U.S. in 2028. Here is what the manganese-rich chemistry could mean for electric-truck range, cost, pack design and consumer availability.
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General Motors and LG Energy Solution are developing lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells for future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs. Ultium Cells expects pre-production in late 2027 and U.S. commercial production in 2028, with GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee site planned for the manufacturing upgrade.

What GM and LG announced

The companies are extending their 14-year battery partnership to commercialize LMR prismatic cells through Ultium Cells, their joint venture. GM’s May 13, 2025 announcement identified the chemistry and intended vehicle applications. A September 29, 2026 update named Spring Hill, Tennessee, as the planned U.S. LMR production site.

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LG Energy Solution expects to build pre-production cells at one of its facilities in late 2027. Ultium Cells’ U.S. commercial production is planned for 2028, subject to construction, equipment installation and validation. Spring Hill upgrades are expected to finish in 2028 and are projected to add 500 jobs to the site’s current workforce of about 1,200.

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What an LMR battery is

LMR stands for lithium manganese-rich cathode chemistry. GM says its design uses approximately 35% nickel and 65% manganese, with virtually no cobalt. GM contrasts that with a typical high-nickel cathode containing roughly 85% nickel, 10% manganese and 5% cobalt.

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The strategy is to substitute more abundant, generally less expensive manganese for costly nickel and cobalt while retaining enough energy storage for large vehicles. The cell remains a lithium-ion battery; LMR describes the cathode’s material balance, not a separate battery category.

Why GM is pursuing LMR for trucks and SUVs

Energy density at a cost benchmarked against LFP

GM reports that its LMR cells deliver 33% higher energy density than LFP at comparable cost. LFP is the company’s stated cost and energy-density benchmark in this comparison. GM is also targeting more than 400 miles of electric-truck range, but that is a development target rather than a certified production-vehicle figure.

Less reliance on nickel and cobalt

Using more manganese could reduce exposure to the cost and supply volatility associated with higher nickel and cobalt content. The practical benefit depends on final material prices, manufacturing yield and the amount of battery capacity each vehicle requires; GM has not published a final pack price.

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Fewer parts in the battery pack

LMR cells will use a prismatic form factor: flat, rectangular cells enclosed in rigid cases. GM says this approach can reduce intermediate modules and structural components. Its stated design targets are 75% fewer battery-module components and 50% fewer total pack components. Those percentages are GM engineering claims for the planned architecture, not an independently audited production comparison.

LMR compared with LFP and high-nickel cells

Aspect GM/LG LMR plan LFP Typical high-nickel cell
Cathode composition About 35% nickel, 65% manganese and virtually no cobalt, according to GM Iron-phosphate chemistry; a comparable percentage breakdown is not stated in the cited GM material About 85% nickel, 10% manganese and 5% cobalt, described by GM as typical
Energy density and cost GM claims 33% higher energy density than LFP at comparable cost GM’s benchmark for the LMR cost and energy-density claim Current high-nickel cells remain GM’s range benchmark; no numeric LMR-to-high-nickel comparison is stated
Range objective More than 400 miles targeted for an electric truck Not stated for this program Used as the existing range reference by GM
Expected lifespan GM says engineering changes can bring lifespan in line with current high-nickel cells; independent vehicle durability data is not provided Not stated in the cited announcements GM’s comparison benchmark for lifespan
Packaging Prismatic cells; GM claims 75% fewer module components and 50% fewer total pack components Not stated for this GM program Not stated for this GM program
Production timing LG pre-production expected late 2027; U.S. commercial production planned for 2028 Not stated Existing GM technology, with no changeover date specified

How GM says it addressed LMR’s historic weaknesses

GM acknowledges that earlier manganese-rich designs were associated with shorter life and voltage attenuation, meaning usable voltage could decline as cells aged. The company says its engineers used dopants, protective coatings, particle engineering and manufacturing-process changes to improve stability.

GM reported that by the end of 2024 it had coated about one ton of LMR cathode material, tested hundreds of large-format prismatic cells, evaluated 18 prototype varieties and worked with three cell dimensions. The testing was described as equivalent to 1.4 million miles of EV driving. LG Energy Solution said it held more than 200 LMR-related patents, counted as IP5 patent applications as of December 31, 2024.

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These figures demonstrate development activity, not a guarantee for a production vehicle. GM’s statement that the cells can match current high-nickel-cell lifespan is a company testing and forward-looking claim. The announcements do not provide independent fleet data, final warranty terms or real-world degradation results.

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When will GM LMR batteries be available?

  1. Late 2027: LG Energy Solution is expected to begin pre-production at an LG facility.
  2. 2028: Ultium Cells plans U.S. commercial production.
  3. September 2026 site plan: GM expects Spring Hill, Tennessee, construction and facility upgrades to be completed in 2028, with 500 projected additional jobs.

“Commercial production” does not necessarily mean an LMR-equipped vehicle will be available at every dealer immediately. Automakers still have to complete vehicle integration, regulatory certification, software calibration, safety validation and launch scheduling.

Which GM vehicles will use LMR cells?

GM has identified future electric trucks and full-size SUVs as the intended applications. It has not announced specific production model names, trim levels, battery capacities or launch markets for LMR-equipped vehicles. The more than 400-mile figure is a targeted electric-truck range, not a confirmed rating for a named model.

Can you buy an LMR replacement battery now?

No consumer LMR replacement battery or retail LMR-powered GM vehicle is documented in the announcements available for this program. Existing GM EVs use their current battery systems, and a replacement pack must match the vehicle’s voltage, dimensions, cooling system, software and crash structure. An LMR cell cannot be treated as a drop-in substitute for an existing pack simply because its chemistry is similar.

What remains unconfirmed

  • Final vehicle models, launch dates and markets
  • Production-cell dimensions, pack capacities and charging specifications
  • EPA-certified range and energy-consumption figures
  • Pack pricing, vehicle pricing and warranty coverage
  • Independent, real-world durability and degradation results
  • Whether the 2028 production schedule will change as validation proceeds

For now, LMR is a future GM battery program rather than a battery consumers can order or replace today. Its appeal is the combination GM is targeting: manganese-rich materials, high energy density relative to LFP at a comparable stated cost, simplified prismatic packs and truck range above 400 miles. Whether those targets translate into cheaper, longer-range production vehicles will depend on final validation and manufacturing results.

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