GM CEO Announces New Ultium Battery Technology with 10- Minutes charging

a multi-million dollar investment is bringing back dozens of laid-off workers at General Motors Tanana en plant as news for's Rachel Kingston reports the automaker is powering up two new engine [Music] lines General Motors the biggest automaker in the US is diving head first into the electric vehicle game they're not just talking about it they're betting their future on it GM's CEO Mary bar has a bold vision for an all El electric future where cars contribute to zero crashes zero emissions and zero congestion uh we're working to a goal where we have zero crashes zero emissions and zero congestion she's confident that GM will dominate the US EV Market by the middle of the decade claiming they'll take the number one spot we're going to be number one mid decade in EVS in the US the ultium battery the star of their EV push is the ultium battery this isn't just any battery it's a game plan wrapped in cuttingedge Tech the Altium battery starts with a single cell a building block if you will that can be adapted to fit into all sorts of vehicles imagine a system so versatile it can power a massive Hummer a Sleek Cadillac l or pretty much anything else GM dreams up and they can do it quickly GM is putting its money where its mouth is and it is planning to pour $35 billion into electric and autonomous vehicles by 2025 they're aiming for the capacity to crank out a million EVS annually and want to have over 30 electric models hitting the market globally during that time most of these will run on the new ultium platform by 2035 GM plans to make all its light duty Vehicles electric but they're not stopping at personal cars GM is also expanding into the commercial EV sector with its bright drop brand they've already started started delivering bright drop vehicles to FedEx and have secured a contract with Walmart it's clear they're serious about carving out a Big Slice of the EV Market Pi of course GM isn't the only player in the EV game automakers everywhere big and small are racing to roll out electric vehicles startups are popping up left and right hoping to make their Mark so what makes GM's ultium platform standout they believe they've nailed it by partnering with LG energy Solutions a battery cell manufacturing Powerhouse and building three massive battery factories in the US in Ohio Tennessee and Michigan GM is confident that this collaboration and their Innovative Battery tech will make their vehicles some of the best on the market to see what all the fuss is about CNBC went behind the scenes at GM's battery lab this is where the magic happens where GM's Engineers are perfecting the Altium platform and ensuring all the pieces work seamlessly together the ultium platform isn't just about better batteries it's a complete overhaul of how EVS are built from the motors to the software the ultium battery itself is a large format lithium ion design the heart of GM's EV strategy Tim Gru gmm's electrification Guru explains that it's all about combining Cutting Edge components into a system that works together flawlessly the battery's modular design means it can be scaled up or down to to fit everything from heavyduty trucks to Sleek sedans GM has already rolled out several Vehicles using the ultium platform including the GMC Hummer EV the Cadillac lyric the Chevrolet Silverado EV and even a fully electric Corvette there's also a new Cadillac celestic sedan and the Chevrolet Blazer EV in the works the way a battery works might sound like science class but it's fascinating when you break it down a battery generates electricity through a chemical reaction with an anode and cathode on either end separated by chemicals and an electrolyte when the battery discharges ions move from the anode to the cathode creating electricity when charging they move in Reverse GM's Engineers describe it in relatable terms comparing the anode and cathode to parking garages where lithium ions park depending on whether the battery is charging or discharging what makes the ultium platform particularly Innovative is its battery chemistry traditional EV batteries often rely on Cobalt which is pricey and not easy to Source Tesla for instance has been using a mix of nickel Cobalt and aluminum in many of its vehicles but GM's ultium platform is breaking new ground with a chemistry that uses less Cobalt and incorporates other elements to reduce costs and Reliance on hard to get materials they're even working toward Cobalt free designs which could be a GameChanger for the industry this isn't just about making battery cheaper it's about making them better for the environment too mining Cobalt and other rare materials can be harmful and politically Tricky by reducing Reliance on these resources GM's ultium batteries could help make EVS more sustainable while also lowering costs for consumers beyond the tech GM's vision is about building an entire ecosystem around EVS the new ecosystem their three new battery factories are just the beginning they're also investing heavily in research and development Partnerships and new manufacturing techniques to ensure they can scale up production quickly and efficiently they're not just trying to catch up to companies like Tesla they want to LeapFrog them GM's commitment to Innovation is evident in their battery lab where scientists and Engineers are constantly experimenting with new materials and Designs they're not just testing for performance they're thinking about how these batteries will hold up over time how they'll perform in extreme conditions and even how they can be recycled at the end of their life the modular design of the Altium battery is a big selling point instead of Designing different batteries for different Vehicles GM can use the same basic cell across its entire lineup this makes production simpler and cheaper while also giving Engineers more flexibility in designing Vehicles it's like having a set of Lego bricks that can be rearranged to build anything from a sports car to a semi-truck and then there's the software modern EVS are as much about code as they are about hardware and GM is investing heavily in the digital side of things the ultium platform includes new software designed to optimize battery performance improve charging times and even update the vehicle remotely this kind of over-the-air update capability is something Tesla has been doing for years but GM is catching up fast GM is teaming up with LG Energy Solutions to create create a battery chemistry that shakes up the game their new design cuts the Cobalt content by a massive 70% why is this a big deal because Cobalt is one of the most expensive parts of a battery by reducing its use and adding elements like nickel manganese and aluminum GM is on track to bring down the cost of its ultium battery packs to under $100 per kilowatt hour that number is like the holy grail for Ev makers because it's the Tipping Point point where EVS become just as affordable as gas powerered cars but GM isn't stopping there battery management system GM is taking a unique approach to Battery Technology with its ultium platform setting itself apart from competitors including Tesla in a number of important ways one of the standout features is GM's Advanced Battery management system while many companies monitor the battery as a whole pack GM goes a step further by monitoring individual modules within the battery this means that if a particular module needs replacing GM can swap out just that part instead of replacing the entire battery pack this approach is not only smarter but also more coste effective additionally it allows for mixing and matching newer Technologies with older packs ensuring that upgrades can be made without disruption to put this into perspective think of the battery in your phone or tablet most of these devices use pouch batteries but these aren't built to handle the tough demands of an electric vehicle GM has taken the basic idea of pouch batteries and made them more durable and suitable for the automotive World they've reinforced the design with added insulation ensuring the batteries can endure the lifespan of a vehicle while maintaining efficiency one of GM's key Innovations is how they pack the cells rather than leaving gaps between them GM arranges the cells tightly side by side side reducing wasted space and maximizing energy capacity this design is incredibly flexible allowing GM to adjust the shape and configuration of the cells depending on the vehicle's needs for example their cars in China use a prismatic can design which is shorter and wider compared to the longer cells typically used in the US this ability to adapt to different Market demands gives GM a significant Edge in producing Vehicles tailored to Regional prefer es speaking of China the country is the world's largest electric vehicle market and GM has made some serious moves there in 2021 GM sold 2.9 Million vehicles in China with their new energy Vehicles including both plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars seeing major growth their Buick vit EV lineup for instance doubled its sales year-over-year reflecting the increasing demand for EVS in the region in fact GM has been so successful in China that it now sells more EVS than Tesla in the country which is no small feat given Tesla's prominence in the global EV Market the ultium platform's flexibility goes beyond just battery chemistry and design it extends to how the batteries are assembled within Vehicles GM's modular approach means that the battery modules can be arranged both vertically and horizontally depending on the vehicle's requirements for example a full-sized truck might have up to 24 battery modules stacked together while a smaller vehicle like a sports car might only need a single layer of modules this adaptability allows GM to optimize battery size and configuration for each specific model ensuring efficiency without overco complicating the manufacturing process take the Cadillac L as an example its battery pack is designed with 12 modules carefully chosen to meet the performance needs of the vehicle meanwhile for a smaller car like the Chevy Equinox EV fewer modules are required resulting in a shorter and more compact pack this level of customization ensures that each vehicle gets the optimal battery design depending on its size and performance requirements what makes GM's approach exciting is the potential it unlocks for future upgrades GM's flexible Tech and Global strategy because the battery management system can handle mixing old and new technology within the same pack GM could theoretically offer updates to existing Vehicles without requiring a whole new battery imagine swapping out a few modules for higher capacity ones down the line that's the kind of innovation that could keep Vehicles relevant for years GM's Global strategy is just as important as their Tech Innovations they're not designing one siiz fits-all Solutions but tailoring their offerings to fit the unique demands of each market for example the Prismatic can design used in China shows how they're adapting to different consumer preferences and Manufacturing needs and with China leading the charge in EV adoption GM's success there is a strong indicator of how well they're positioned globally the ultium platform's versatility also means GM can tackle a wide range of vehicle types from rugged trucks to Luxurious sedans and even compact cars it's not just about meeting consumer demand but also about preparing for a future where EVS dominate every segment of the market and with battery cost dropping these vehicles are becoming increasingly accessible to more people GM's ultium battery pack is a big Leap Forward offering up to 450 M of range on a single charge that puts it near the top for Ev range in the us only outpaced by the Lucid Air Dream Edition which boasts 520 Mi Tesla's Model S comes in at 405 M making GM's offering pretty impressive in comparison not only does the ultium pack deliver on Range but it also weighs just a quarter of what GM's older battery designs did and costs about 40% less to produce those are some huge improvements that make gmz vs more competitive than ever GM has come a long way in its EV Journey back in 2008 they introduced the volt which was more of a plug-in hybrid than a pure EV offering around 50 Mi of electric range before switching to gas it was a solid start showing that people were interested in electrified Vehicles by 2016 they launched the bolt EV a fully electric car with a range of 238 M making it more practical for everyday use fast forward to now and GM's lineup includes models like the Hummer and the Cadillac lq which are not only capable but also stylish and desirable one of the key selling points of the ultium battery is its cost if GM really hits that goal of less than $100 per kilowatt hour it will be a GameChanger that's the magic number that makes EVS as affordable as traditional gas-powered cars Tesla has reportedly been under $100 per kwatt hour at the cell level for a while now thanks to their use of cylindrical cells which are cheaper to produce but t pack design is more complicated which eats into some of those cost savings GM's approach with Altium could strike the right balance between Simplicity and affordability the Altium battery isn't just about cost and range it's also about power GM's Powerhouse EV Evolution these batteries will drive GM's ultium electric motors which were unveiled in September 2021 the first vehicle to use this system is the GMC Hummer a bold and Powerful choice that shows just how far EVS have come Hummer has always been about toughness and performance and now it's proving that you don't have to sacrifice those qualities to go electric GM EV history goes way back even before Tesla was a household name they were actually the first automaker to seriously try to bring EVS to the mass Market remember the ev1 from the late '90s it was a fully electric car but it was only available for lease in limited numbers and the program didn't last long after that GM's first big EV was the Chevrolet bolt which debuted in the 2017 model year while the bolt was a step in the right direction GM like most other automakers struggled to keep up with Tesla which quickly became the dominant player in the US EV Market when it comes to GM's EV business there's no denying they're making big moves with their ultium platform form but some people aren't entirely convinced it's revolutionary compared to Tesla GM is still playing catchup in the EV space and their business isn't exactly in the same league Tesla's dominance in the EV Market is undeniable and while GM has shown they're serious about electrification they've yet to fully prove their EV strategy can hold its own that skepticism isn't limited to Casual observers either industry experts like Monroe and Associates a consultancy known for tearing apart EVs and analyzing their designs aren't fully sold on Altium being ahead of the game Monroe specializes in dissecting EVS to understand what makes them tick and how they compare to competitors their take while GM's ultium platform sounds promising on paper it might be a bit late to the party Monroe hasn't had the chance to do a full tear down of an ultium based vehicle yet so their opinions are based on GM's claims and their own research into the industry even so their initial impressions are that while the platform has solid ideas it's not exactly groundbreaking in fact some of the features GM is highlighting like the cell design energy density and streamlined wiring are things other manufacturers have already been doing it's not that ultium is a bad concept it's just not as Cutting Edge as GM's marketing might make it seem take battery chemistry for example GM has reduced the Cobalt content in their batteries which is great since Cobalt is both expensive and problematic to Source that's a smart move but it's not unique to GM other companies have also been working on reducing or eliminating Cobalt from their batteries so this isn't a major differentiator similarly altum's focus on flexible cell configurations and reduced wiring is something we've seen in other EV platforms like those from Volkswagen when when it comes to comparisons with Tesla it's a bit of a mixed bag Tesla uses different battery form factors in chemistry so it's not an Apples to Apples comparison Tesla's cylindrical cells for example are cheaper to manufacture and their overall design philosophy has always been about efficiency and scalability while GM's ultium platform has some Innovative elements Tesla's years of experience and Head Start in the EV space give them a significant ADV Vantage that said it's not all doom and gloom for GM GM's progress and Cobalt debate the ultium platform is still a step forward for them and it could help close the gap with Tesla and other competitors GM's ability to scale production reduce costs and deliver a wide range of EVS is crucial to their long-term success they might not be leading the pack just yet but they're definitely in the race a lot of EV manufacturers are moving toward cobalt-free batteries and GM has been getting some attention for reducing the Cobalt content in its battery chemistry but let's be real this isn't groundbreaking Tesla is already using cobalt-free lithium iion phosphate cells in its models for the Chinese market which is a big step forward meanwhile GM seems to be sticking with a nickel manganese Cobalt and aluminum formula sure that chemistry has its perks but it still relies on Cobalt plenty of people are asking why GM isn't making a stronger push to eliminate Cobalt completely from its lineup it's a fair question especially since the industry is clearly moving in that direction still GM deserves some credit for Designing its EV platform from the ground up starting fresh allows them to optimize their system specifically for EVS rather than just adapting existing Tech in theory this should give them an edge in terms of efficiency and performance they're not just retrofitting old systems they're building something purpose-built for the future of electric vehicles that's a smart move even if it doesn't immediately put them ahead of the competition looking ahead GM is promising some exciting upgrades with the next generation of their ultium batteries they claim the new version will have double the energy density and cost 40% less to produce if they can deliver on that it'll be a big deal doubling energy density means lighter more powerful batteries and cutting costs is critical for making EVS more affordable to the average buyer GM has also hinted at advancements in lithium metal technology which could be a GameChanger lithium metal batteries are known for their high energy density and potential to significantly extend the range of EVS if GM can bring that to Market successfully it would be a huge step forward for the industry the lithium metal stuff is the kind of ambitious world changing Innovation people get excited about it's not just about keeping up with competitors it's about pushing boundaries and setting new standards GM seems to recognize that and they're making big claims about what their future Tech can do whether they can actually deliver is another story but it's clear they're Aiming High lithium metal batteries are a big buzzword in the EV world right now and for a good reason they have the potential to revolutionize energy density and range for electric vehicles GM's throwing its hat into the ring alongside Heavy Hitters like Ford BMW and Volkswagen all of whom are investing in this technology but the real test of GM's ultium platform will come when people start actually driving these vehicles talking about Cutting Edge batteries is great but the proof is in the Driving Experience the Cadillac lyric is shaping up to be GM's first true Showcase of what the ultium platform can do it's a Sleek crossover that's aiming to hit a sweet spot with EV customers Crossovers and SUVs are wildly popular right now and the L fits right into that category with a starting price of around $60,000 it's not exactly cheap but it's competitive for a luxury EV plus GM stands to make decent profits on each one which is a key factor in building a sustainable EV business the lyric is also meant to go head-to-head with Tesla setting the stage for an exciting battle in the luxury EV Market but GM's plans aren't limited to luxury crossovers they're also making a big push into the pickup truck segment which is absolutely massive in the US GM's bold push into electric pickup full-size pickups are the bestselling vehicles in America and it's a segment dominated by Brands like Ford and GM when both come companies announced their electric pickups the response was overwhelming Ford for example saw massive demand for its F150 Lightning and GM wasn't far behind with its Silverado EV the Silverado EV made its debut at CES in January 2022 and by April GM had already racked up more than 140,000 reservations that's a huge number especially considering how new the electric pickup Market is clearly the a growing appetite for EVS even among truck buyers who might traditionally have been skeptical of electric vehicles it's a sign that the market is Shifting faster than many expected and manufacturers are scrambling to keep up with demand the surge in interest has caught automakers a bit off guard everyone's now racing to secure enough materials to build the batteries needed to meet this demand and that's no small task batteries require a lot of raw materials like lithium nickel and Cobalt and the supply chain for these materials is under significant strain scaling up production while keeping costs down is the next big challenge for every automaker in the EV space Not Just GM General Motors is making some big moves in the electric vehicle World especially with its ultium battery platform this Tech is all about improving charging efficiency and overall vehicle performance which is a huge deal for everyday drivers so let's break down what ultium charging capabilities are all about and how they'll affect you if you're driving one of GM's EVS GM's ultium batteries support a bunch of different charging methods each designed to fit different driving needs if you're someone who loves road trips or just needs a quick boost in between GM's got you covered with DC fast charging the GMC Hummer EV which uses the ultium tech can add around 100 m of range in just 10 minutes if your using a 350 kilb fast charger that's a pretty big deal if you're on a long drive and need to get back on the road quickly so instead of waiting around for hours you can get a decent amount of miles in just the time it takes to grab a snack but if you're not rushing and are just looking for a convenient way to charge overnight level two charging is the way to go GM's smart charging tips these Chargers typically offer between 11 to 19 kilos of of power which is perfect for when you're at home depending on the size of your ev's battery a full charge could take anywhere from 7 to 12 hours if you've got a GM EV you can even use their own ultium branded level two Chargers like the power up level 2 charger you can install one of these at home and you're all set for a full charge by the morning without needing to worry about heading to a public station now while it's tempting to plug your EV in as much as possible GM has a few tips on how to keep your battery in tiptop shape for daily driving they recommend charging up to about 80% this helps keep the battery healthy and extends its life over time while still providing enough range for your day-to-day activities charging it to 100% every time isn't necessary unless you're planning a long road trip speaking of long trips if you're hitting the road for an extended Journey it's totally fine to charge to the full 100% GM's ultium batteries are built to handle frequent DC fast charging without significant wear and tear which is a huge Plus for anyone who travels long distances regularly on top of improving the batteries themselves GM is also focusing on the charging infrastructure to make it easier for drivers to power up their EVS wherever they are they've teamed up with a number of Partners to increase the number of fast charging stations across the country for example GM is working with EVO to roll out 2,000 700 new fast charging stations in the US by 2025 this is a big part of GM's strategy to make it easier for drivers to charge their EVS quickly while they're out and about they're also collaborating with Pilot Flying J to set up 17 charging stations across 13 states with plans to expand up to 500 these stations are positioned strategically along major highways to support long-distance travel which helps alleviate the fear of running out of charge during a trip also known as range anxiety plus GM is partnering with charge point to add another 500 charging stations across the country which will make it even more convenient for people to find a charging spot whether they're at home or on the go looking ahead GM isn't stopping here they're already working on NextGen Altium batteries which are expected to deliver twice the energy density at just 60% of the the current cost this could mean faster charging times and longer vehicle ranges which is definitely something that will improve the experience for drivers another exciting development is the upcoming vehicle toome charging feature this Tech would allow your EV to act as a backup power source for your home which is especially useful if there's a power outage or if you want to manage your energy consumption more effectively so what does all this mean for the average driver well for starters you can expect charging times to drop significantly as the fast charging networks expand and Battery tech keeps improving the days of sitting around at charging stations for hours will soon be behind you which is great news for anyone who hates waiting the growing number of charging stations means more convenience too you won't have to worry about running out of charging options especially on long trips stations are being placed in all the right spots along major highways and in urban areas so you'll always be able to find one when you need it this kind of expansion makes EVS more practical for everyday use and for longer road trips and let's not forget about the cost charging an EV particularly if you're doing it at home during off peak hours is usually cheaper than filling up a gas tank depending on where you live it can be a pretty big saving so if you've been thinking about making the switch to Electric the cost of charging is definitely something to consider especially with the increasing availability of public charging stations what do you think leave your thoughts in the comments below and if you liked this video don't forget to subscribe to our Channel see you in the 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2025-01-09 01:57

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