Ultium by General Motors: status and timeline

Ultium

Ultium is GM's flexible platform for EVs: different battery packs in the same motors and electronics, across Chevy, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Currently LFP; next-gen shifts to LMR for 33% higher energy density.

DeployStage 4 of 5

9 models deployed. Shifting from LFP to LMR; commercial production 2028.

Updated Jul 2025Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · LMR cells enter commercial production

Ultium platform unveiled2019Complete.
First Ultium vehicles enter productionJul 2021Complete.
Ultium Cells Warren, Ohio begins battery cell productionAug 2022Complete.
Ultium Cells Spring Hill, Tennessee begins battery productionMar 2024Complete.
GM focuses on LMR; sells Lansing stake to LG Energy SolutionDec 2024Complete.
LMR cells enter commercial productionTarget 2028Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

2027LMR cell pre-production at LG facility (next)
2028LMR cells enter commercial production

Current obstacles

Matching Chinese EV maker cost per kWhBYD and CATL integrate cell manufacturing; GM outsources. LMR is GM's bet to close the cost gap.
Scaling LMR production in time for 2028 targetsLMR cells are still in development; ramping to commercial production while competitors pursue solid-state presents a timing challenge.

Physics limits

Manganese oxidation in LMR cellsManganese-rich cathodes are prone to oxidation, which causes faster capacity fade than some alternatives, limiting cycle and calendar life.
Energy density ceiling for lithium-ionLithium-ion cells top out around 250-300 Wh/kg at cell level and 150-200 Wh/kg at pack level. Solid-state and lithium-metal cells are needed to exceed this.

How it works

3 parts

Modularity

Flat packs fit many vehicle shapes

Modular packs under the floor fit sedans, SUVs and trucks with the same motors and electronics; reduces development time and cost.

Motors

Single-speed drivetrains

Electric motors deliver peak torque from zero, so single-speed suffices; simpler and cheaper than multi-speed gearboxes.

Chemistry

Shifting from LFP to LMR

LFP is cheap and safe but less energy-dense; LMR uses manganese to boost density 33% at comparable cost.

Spec sheet

Spec	Ultium
Ultium EV models in production	9 models across Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Buick^R (reported)
LMR energy density vs LFP	33% higher^R (reported)
LMR commercial production target	2028^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

5 updates

About General Motors

The team behind Ultium

General Motors

Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Ultium platform, EV leader

GM is the No. 2 US EV seller, using the Ultium platform. By 2026 it is shifting from LFP to LMR cells: 33% higher energy density at comparable cost.

Ultium is a flexible platform: different battery packs fit different vehicle shapes with reused motors and electronics.
Chevy Bolt EV/EUV is the volume leader; 9 Ultium EVs are in production across four brands.
Shifting from LFP to LMR cells: 33% higher energy density at comparable cost, aiming for 2028.

gm.com (opens gm.com)Company profile →

Founded: 1908118 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Public
Valuation: $75Bmarket capOct 2026
Staff: ~162,000Jan 2026
Works in: VehiclesElectric cars
Coverage: 2 programs · 8 updateslatest 1 May 2026checked 10 Oct
Partners: LG Energy Solution (opens lgesenergy.com)
Suppliers: CATL (opens catl.com)BYD (opens byd.com)
People: Mary Barra (opens en.wikipedia.org)CEO and Chair

Spec

Ultium

Ultium EV models in production

9 models across Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Buick^R (reported)

LMR energy density vs LFP

33% higher^R (reported)

LMR commercial production target

2028^R (reported)

Ultium

Milestones

Most important updates

Upcoming

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Flat packs fit many vehicle shapes

Single-speed drivetrains

Shifting from LFP to LMR

Spec sheet

Update log

Jul 2025

Dec 2024

Mar 2024

Aug 2022

Jul 2021

About General Motors

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Flat packs fit many vehicle shapes

Single-speed drivetrains

Shifting from LFP to LMR

Spec sheet

Update log

Jul 2025

Dec 2024

Mar 2024

Aug 2022

Jul 2021

About General Motors