General Motors Will Deploy New Battery Tech in 2028

The automaker plans to shift to lithium manganese-rich battery production to improve vehicle range and efficiency.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Isometric editorial illustration of stacked battery cells and mineral ore, representing lithium manganese-rich battery manufacturing technology. — General Motors plans to deploy lithium manganese-rich battery production in 2028, aiming to increase energy density by 33% and lower electric vehicle costs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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General Motors will deploy lithium manganese-rich battery production at scale in 2028. This move aims to improve vehicle value by utilizing chemistry that offers a 33% higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate cells.

Why it matters

Battery costs currently represent at least one-third of the total price of an electric vehicle, making this shift critical for long-term profitability. By scaling production of these more effective batteries, General Motors aims to boost vehicle range while reducing overall manufacturing expenses.

General Motors utilizes prismatic battery cell shapes and reduced nickel content to improve energy storage. The company expects a production changeover to result in a temporary loss of 35,000 trucks.

The players

General Motors

This is a major American multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit.

Paul Jacobson

He serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of General Motors.

LG Energy Solution

This is a prominent global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

The details

General Motors is implementing these new battery technologies to align its production capabilities with consumer demand and long-term financial targets. The company is also navigating a production changeover that is expected to temporarily impact truck availability.

May 2025: GM announced its LMR battery plan in partnership with LG Energy Solution.
September 15, 2026: Paul Jacobson discussed production strategy at the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference.
Q4 2026: GM anticipates lower sales performance due to seasonal factors and production losses.
2027: The company expects a flat spot for electric vehicle sales.
2028: General Motors plans to deploy LMR battery production at scale.

Roadmap

General Motors is positioning its upcoming battery architecture to compete with the energy density benchmarks established by lithium iron phosphate cells. This strategy highlights the intense industry-wide race to optimize battery chemistry for greater cost-efficiency and performance.

Future electric vehicle buyers may see improved driving range and potentially lower MSRPs as battery manufacturing costs decrease. Drivers should be aware that current production changes could lead to short-term inventory fluctuations for some truck models.

The takeaway

Advancements in battery chemistry are central to making electric vehicles a more viable and affordable option for the average consumer. Investors and buyers alike should monitor these production timelines as they influence both market availability and long-term vehicle pricing.