General Motors CompanyGM is developing a domestic battery supply chain, including sodium-ion cells with Peak Energy, to sidestep Chinese-controlled lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains.
General Motors is developing a domestic battery supply chain it expects to complete within two to three years, even as it currently relies on some Chinese-sourced materials for existing battery production. Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC the company's near-term goal is full domestic sourcing, centered on sodium-ion battery cells GM is developing with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for stationary energy storage in homes, businesses, and data centers. GM expects commercial production of those cells around 2029, and a GM spokesperson confirmed the same domestic sourcing priority would apply to battery cells for future electric vehicles. Sodium-ion cells are built around sodium from soda ash, which the U.S. holds in abundance, sidestepping the lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains China currently controls, and Kelty said they handle a broader span of temperatures, removing the need for active thermal management. GM has committed $900 million to new battery research facilities at its suburban Detroit campus, including a cell prototyping building exceeding 500,000 square feet scheduled to open before the end of the year. The comments came as Ford faced criticism from the Trump administration over its battery sourcing, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying last week he had "profound concern" over Ford's licensing of technology from Chinese battery manufacturer CATL for its Marshall, Michigan plant, while Ford CEO Jim Farley called the charges "basic misunderstandings, mistruths" and the White House posted that Ford is "a GREAT American company."
General Motors CompanyGM is developing a domestic battery supply chain, including sodium-ion cells with Peak Energy, to sidestep Chinese-controlled lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains.
Ford Motor CompanyFord faced criticism from the Trump administration over its licensing of CATL battery technology for its Marshall, Michigan plant.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd Class AGM's push for a domestic sodium-ion supply chain aims to sidestep the Chinese battery supply chains CATL currently dominates.
GM is developing sodium-ion battery cells with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for stationary energy storage.