GM is reportedly looking to move from pouch-packed pouch cells to round cells in future electric models. The change in battery format is also why GM and LG Energy Solutions are not going ahead with their plans to build a fourth joint battery factory in the United States, according to media reports.
GM has so far used LGES pouch cells, but the automaker’s future EV platform will support the use of circular cells. Therefore, General Motors is likely to adopt Tesla’s first 4680-size (46mm in diameter, 80mm in height) batteries in the future.
There are also signs that plans by General Motors and LG Energy Solutions to build a fourth U.S. battery plant were canceled as a result. Media reports say GM could build the planned plant in Indiana instead of building a new partner on its side. This has yet to be confirmed by GM and LGES, though. When asked, GM said it had made clear its plans included investing in a fourth U.S. battery factory, but declined to comment on speculation. LG Energy Solution said talks with General Motors for a fourth factory in the Ultium Cells battery joint venture were still ongoing, “but no decision has been made yet.”
GM isn’t the only one changing battery types: BMW also confirmed the use of circular batteries in its “new class” of EVs from 2025, in this case at a uniform 46mm diameter with two different heights . According to TheElec, other automakers such as Volvo and Stellantis are also said to be planning to use this type of battery.
Tesla only announced earlier this month that it can now equip about 1,000 vehicles a week with the new 4680 batteries. For example, the California company is installing their 4680 round battery in the Model Y built in Giga, Texas. However, in parallel to models based on 4680 structured battery packs, Model Y models with conventional battery packs and 2170 cells will continue to be built in Austin – as 4680s are not produced in sufficient numbers to fill the car production line.
The 4680 battery will also be used in the Tesla Semi electric truck and the upcoming Roadster 2. So how quickly Tesla can scale up its own 4680 production is very important for the production of these models. The 4680 cells will also be sourced from suppliers, but when they will be available in large quantities is still an open question. Tesla’s battery partner Panasonic is making the 4680 cells on a pilot line in Japan, but mass production will take place in North America — presumably at a new factory in Kansas that won’t be complete until March 2025.
