GM Seeks Domestic Battery Dominance Amid US-China Tensions
General Motors is making significant strides in developing its domestic battery supply chain to reduce US dependence on China. The automaker has announced plans to develop next-generation battery cells, which it believes can be sourced domestically within two years. This move comes as the Trump administration criticizes Ford for its ties to Chinese companies, including CATL, a leading battery cell manufacturer.
GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, Kurt Kelty, emphasized that the company aims to 'leapfrog' China's battery technologies by developing new chemistries. The automaker has partnered with Denver-based startup Peak Energy to develop sodium-ion battery cells, which have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries.
The US currently relies heavily on China for its battery materials, including lithium and ferrous sulfate. However, GM is working on a variety of battery chemistries for different applications, including energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles (EVs). The company expects to launch commercial production of sodium-ion battery cells with Peak around 2029.