GM Ultium batteries revealed as core of new 400+ mile EV platform

Normal Motors has revealed its next-generation batteries, Ultium, and the versatile platform that it hopes will make electrical automobiles less expensive and provide better vary. Co-developed in GM’s three way partnership with LG Chem, Ultium is concentrated on bringing down the price of battery cells under the all-important $100/kWh level, paving the best way to extra inexpensive EVs that would provide 400+ miles of zero-emission driving.

GM clearly isn’t a brand new entrant to the electrical car area, nevertheless it’s truthful to say that it hasn’t precisely set the automotive world alight with its choices. The automaker presently presents the Chevrolet Bolt EV as its lone all-electric mannequin, a compact hatchback that – in mannequin yr 2020 kind – presents 259 miles of EPA-rated vary.

On the similar time, although, GM has been insisting that it’s poised for an electrical revolution. The corporate has named Cadillac as its lead model for a next-generation electrical automotive, although there’ll even be extra Chevrolet EVs amongst different fashions. It’s even bringing again the Hummer title, rebooting what was as soon as a gas-guzzler as a GMC-branded all-electric car packing greater than 1,000 horsepower. Now, we all know what is going to underpin then.

GM Ultium batteries

Electrical automobiles want batteries, and that’s what GM has been engaged on for the previous few years with LG Chem. The result’s the proprietary Ultium battery, which can work with GM’s third-generation international EV platform. The cells themselves depend on a brand new low-cobalt chemistry, and the automaker says it will possibly produce them for beneath $100/kHh “early” on within the product lifecycle. Again in 2017, GM was saying its Bolt EV batteries value round $145/kWh.

Ultium consists of large-format, pouch-style cells. These might be stacked both vertically or horizontally inside the general battery pack, thus permitting for better flexibility in format and vitality storage. They’re designed for Degree 2 and DC quick charging, although charging charges, whole capability, and car vary will differ.

For instance, GM means that Ultium batteries might run from 50 to 200 kWh in measurement. On the high finish, the automaker is estimating 200 kWh Ultium-equipped EV might go greater than 400 miles on a single cost. Zero-60 mph might are available in as little as three seconds, the automaker suggests.

Most Ultium-based EVs could have 400 volt battery packs and help as much as 200 kW fast-charging. GM is saving 800 volt batteries and 350 kW fast-charging for its truck platform.

A brand new Ultium EV platform is vital

Nice batteries alone aren’t sufficient for a commercially-successful EV, after all. That requires a platform, and ideally one which scales in such a means that a wide range of automobiles – spanning physique types and value factors – might be primarily based on a standard structure. We’ve seen Volkswagen make investments closely in that with its MEB, and now GM is speaking about its equal.

In addition to Ultium batteries, GM’s so-called BEV3 platform will use in-house designs for its electrical motors. That can help completely different configurations of front-wheel, rear-wheel, and all-wheel drive, in addition to “efficiency all-wheel drive” automobiles. There’ll be every thing from vehicles and SUVs, by crossovers and vehicles, to industrial automobiles.

“The car and propulsion techniques have been designed collectively to reduce complexity and half counts past at this time’s EVs, that are much less advanced than typical automobiles powered by inner combustion engines,” the automaker says. “For instance, GM plans 19 completely different battery and drive unit configurations initially, in contrast with 550 inner combustion powertrain combos obtainable at this time.”

GM can’t afford a loss-leader

Having dumped not-inconsiderable quantities of cash into two generations of growth for its Volt hybrid, solely to axe the automotive, GM is clearly eager to keep away from dropping money on every EV offered. That, it insists, isn’t going to be an issue with its Ultium-based platform.

“The primary technology of GM’s future EV program will probably be worthwhile,” the corporate insists at this time. “The preliminary packages will pave the best way for additional accretive progress. GM’s expertise might be scaled to fulfill buyer demand a lot greater than the greater than 1 million international gross sales the corporate expects mid-decade.”

GM will make investments $2.2 billion into its Detroit-Hamtramck facility, turning it into its EV manufacturing hub. The primary electrical car to roll off the road there may be anticipated to happen in late 2021, with GM beforehand confirming it will be an all-electric truck. That, although, will solely be the beginning, as a roadmap of BEV3-based EVs proven off at this time signifies.

In truth, GM believes its new expertise has legs past its personal functions, too. Simply as VW is licensing MEB to different automakers, so GM suggests it might “attain past its personal fleet” and license out its battery and different tech to different corporations. The primary GM-made mannequin to make use of Ultium and the third-generation platform was really already revealed: the Cruise Origin self-driving electrical shared car unveiled in January of this yr.

[Updated to clarify battery cost estimates]

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