GM’s LMR Battery: Cheaper Than LFP?! The EV Game Just Changed!
General Motors, right? They just lost a hell of a lot of money after writing down the value of their business in China last well the fourth quarter of last year and losing five well more than $5 billion as a result. General Motors has now reported a massive profit loss it claims is thanks to Donald Trump $1.1 billion. So General Motors is literally hemorrhaging cash right now. They have just cancelled their hydrogen factory hydrogen fuel cells was meant to provide fuel cells for I don’t know who knows what some sort of imaginary hydrogen powered future that’s been cancelled fortunately but GM did commit $900 million to new V8 engines. It says though it’s going to save a lot of money with these new batteries. Apparently that’ll help it to claw back some of the losses it’s been making. Hello my friends, welcome to the channel. It’s great to have you with us. I’m Sam Evans. Want to say thank you to our YouTube members. If you’d like to become a member, I’ll put a link in the description below. General Motor said on Tuesday it plans to continue the development work for lowcost electric vehicle batteries in the United States. It’s really trying to compete against China. That’s the big challenge here. Although GM are competing against China, but they’re going to use lithiumion phosphate batteries from China. They’re going to make them themselves using Chinese technology, but that’ll be the cheapest batteries GM will have. However, GM says that um after its profits plunged 32% in the second quarter this year, it says mainly due to Trump administration tariffs. I’m not sure if that’s actually true though, $1.1 billion. It says that really its new batteries, these lithium manganese rich batteries, LMR batteries, will save the company. Essentially, driven by its reduced nickel and cobalt content in large truck packs. We believe that potential savings on LMR are even greater than using lithium phosphate at today’s prices, metal prices, said GM CEO Mary Barrett during the second quarter earnings call on Tuesday. I find that really hard to believe that it’s cheaper for General Motors to use LMR batteries instead of LFP. I mean, are they saying it’s based on today’s manganese prices? I was curious to know about this because I mean, General Motor is saying LMR batteries, right, would be cheaper than lithium phosphate. I find that hard to believe. So did a little bit of research breakdown on the latest available data around actual manganese ore. Uh it’s generally up a little bit or slightly stable. Several sources indicate small positive increases as in negative because it’s going up in price by a little bit. One report from April 2025 indicates that mang manganese ore market was experiencing significant price declines. All major ore types and port regions the price has gone down by up to 4%. Showing a downward trend in play. Medium term data shows negative price changes. So the price appears to be going down. So General Motors is saying based on today’s price of manganese they think they can make lithium manganese rich batteries cheaper than lithium phosphate. Now, if that is accur accurate, and I find that hard to believe, as I said, if that is accurate, though, that’s huge because these lithium magnes rich batteries have a much much higher energy density. I’m estimating about 270 watt hours per kilogram, probably up to 280 W hours per kilogram. At around that level, that’s probably about 30% more energy dense than lithiumion phosphate batteries that are about 190 W hours per kilogram. General Motors, if they’re actually telling the truth about the cost of their lithium manganesees rich batteries, they’re not just trying to appease appease investors. Then if they’re telling the truth, this is unquestionably a gamecher for them. And kudos to them. I mean, they basically outmoo it everyone because honestly, if they’re able to produce these batteries lower than lithium phosphate or even on par and have a much higher energy density, that means they can put a much smaller size battery in a car for the same net benefit as a bigger lithium phospho battery, which would in theory then cost more and be heavier. So, I mean, well done to GM. Now, I’ve got to say it is a bit questionable because this information is coming from General Motors at a time when they’re under pressure. Their stock is under pressure. They’re losing a lot of money. As I said in the fourth quarter last year, they lost 5.1 billion write-off, another 1.1 billion in this quarter. Anyhow, let’s look at the batteries. LMR stands for lithium manganese rich, which is a new battery chemistry that significantly reduces the portion of well, the expensive part of the battery, which is the nickel. The nickel is expensive. So is cobalt. So getting rid of the nickel and cobalt that is enabling big cost savings. Now Tesla have been working on lithium maganganesees rich batteries now for many many years. Jeff Darn who used to work at Tesla or we we thought was still working sort of on the side for Tesla. He apparently was able to make these gamechanging lithium magnes rich batteries and then we never heard about them for years. I don’t know what happened. So very strange. Anyway, LMR batteries use a much higher portion of manganese which GM says is abundant and therefore it’s mining process is cheaper and it’s actually not there’s no real question marks around you know the question marks we have around nickel around cobalt which are issues there’s none of that so supply chain can also be decoupled from China plus the mineral or manganesees itself can be refined and processed in the United States. Ford is actually working on LMR batteries as well. I believe Tesla is doing it, too. So, this could be a if Ford and GM are able to pull off this basically mass production of LMR batteries, which are if they’re as good as they say they are, then that would be a massive step for the United States in order to actually decouple from China. Apparently, the cost savings will be substantial. Here’s what Mary Bar said. the new lithium maganganesees rich or LMR chemistry that we are developing with LG ES which is LG energy solutions or LG chem as they were for formerly known a South Korean company so it’s a joint venture unfortunately it’s not so it’s not solely owned will be another gamecher she says because of its unique balance of energy density charging capability and cost efficiency in terms of charging capability I highly doubt that you’ll be able to charge these batteries at say the 1,00 kW or 800 kW that we’re seeing from a fair few different lithiumion phosphate batteries in China. We’re seeing that uh apparently companies, numerous companies have tested that and it works well. I don’t think that it’s going to be likely when I see that kind of charging speeds from LMR batteries cuz normally with a new battery chemistry, manufacturers don’t really know. They don’t really know can you charge it that much and still get I don’t know 30 years of life out of those batteries. So they normally go low in order to protect the battery packs and they kind of test over time. That’s likely what’s going to happen here. GM are planning to start production of LMR cells with their joint venture partner LG Energy Solutions in 2027. So we’re still you know a year and a half to two years away. The batteries will they be cylindrical cells? A lot of the auto market is actually moving away from prismatic cells. Not LFP I’m talking about. I’m talking about cylindrical NMC, NCM chemistry batteries. You know, BMW u BMW and numerous other automakers are using cylindrical battery cells now in their higherend cars in particular, but prismatic cells are still used very commonly and normally with lithium phosphate. So these will be packaged in the same way as what GM does with its existing batteries. They’ll be prismatic cell format. They’ll be installed in full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from 2028 onwards. Apparently, they’ll deliver more than 400 miles of range. So, it sounds like the energy density is similar to General Motors current nickel manganese cobalt aluminium NMCA batteries that are installed in its SUVs and its pickup trucks right now. I have heard General Motors say though they think they can improve energy density by around 10% using these manganese rich batteries. That’s yet to be seen though. GM say they’ll launch the Chevy Silverado EV with lithiumion phosphate batteries. The cheapest version of the Silverado will come in 2027 and deliver 350 mi of range and cost $6,000 less. That could I mean we might see a Civic Silverado around $60,000 US with lithium phosphate batteries and 350 mi of range. I think that would be a really good vehicle at that price. In addition, the cheaper next generation Chevy Bolt EV probably coming in around 25 to $30,000 that’s also going to get lithium phosphate batteries. So, I’m not really sure why. If LMR are cheaper for General Motors and have higher energy density, much higher than LFP, why is it the Silverado base model and the Chevy Bolt are going to get LFP? No idea. But GM says the cost savings could be thousands of dollars more compared to LFP. So maybe by 2027 they’ll move away from LFP. I’m not really sure. Anyway, GM announced last week it will convert a portion of its Spring Hill, Tennessee factory for the local production of LFP batteries. Conversion of that plant will begin by the end of this year. It’ll be completed by the end of 2027. Production will start around the same time. Domestically developed and produced cells are necessary for a resilient, secure American oriented supply chain, said Mary Barrett. All of this sounds awesome. I hope it plays off but I am a little bit skeptical simply because of the fact that General Motors are saying right that they’ll be producing m in large numbers lithiumion phosphate batteries and LMR batteries in 2027. If these LMR batteries are cheaper and have a higher energy density than LFP, why bother with LFP? I don’t understand that. It doesn’t really make sense. So, what I’m thinking at this point in time is maybe General Motors haven’t quite cracked the LMR battery, and they’re just saying, “Well, we hope it will be, but we’re not 100% sure.” That’s what I suspect. That’s not what GM is publicly saying, but that’s what it actually looks like if you read between the lines. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for watching. [Music]
GM’s LMR Battery: Cheaper Than LFP?! The EV Game Just Changed!
GM has unveiled its new LMR (Lithium Manganese Rich) battery technology, claiming it could be cheaper than LFP while delivering better energy density. If successful, this breakthrough could drastically lower EV costs and shift the global battery landscape.
Sign up for my newsletter here ► https://theelectricviking.com/newsletter/
🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell! ► https://www.youtube.com/@electricviking?sub_confirmation=1
👉Book a 1-Hour Consultation with The Electric Viking via the link at https://theelectricviking.com/consultation/
Join me on Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/theelectricviking
Join as a member in The Electric Viking YouTube►
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzi56cxvmEDwjo1Bd2Yxpg/join
Members-only videos (see videos before anyone else)►
Support by sending Super Thanks! Here’s how to buy a Super Thanks:
The best solar company in Australia just installed my new solar system.
Check them out here: https://www.resinc.com.au/electricviking
I use Starlink internet to upload all of my videos, use my referral link here: https://www.starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-392400-91086-9
👇👇 Buy something and support The Electric Viking Store 👇👇
https://shop.theelectricviking.com/
Size guide and other help for the store 👇
See what happened to Shanna (Sam’s wife):
The Electric Viking on other platforms:
Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-electric-viking/id1826841318
Spotify Podcasts ► https://open.spotify.com/show/7qDxQ2PDFC3KvJq5f7Oxih
If it’s not available in your country, use this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theelectricviking
Rumble ► https://rumble.com/c/TheElectricViking
Facebook page ► https://www.facebook.com/theelectricvikingfb
Facebook group ► https://www.facebook.com/groups/theevfbgroup/
X (Formerly known as Twitter) ► https://x.com/theevking
Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/theelectricvking/
Pinterest ► https://www.pinterest.com/theelectricviking/
Telegram ► https://t.me/theelectricviking
TikTok ► https://tiktok.com/@theelectricviking
Read my blog ► https://theelectricviking.com/blog/
👇 My Bali trip 👇
👇 Video about My Skateboard 👇
👇 Subscribe to my kids channel 👇
https://tinyurl.com/subscribetojackandcal
See more videos:
The Auto industry is giving up on the Hydrogen dream after investing Billions
Jeep & Ram Owner Stellantis in Crisis: $2.7 B Loss – Is the Auto Giant Doomed?
NEW Geely EX5 gets bigger battery, better efficiency and a HUGE range boost
Tesla FSD Approved! ‘Final Stages of Validation’ for FSD Release in Australia
Over 100,000 Tesla owners in China have illegally modified their cars for FSD
Tesla Shocks Xiaomi CEO: ‘We Have a Lot to Learn, Tesla FSD is Amazing’
Australia, Texas and California SMASHED renewable energy records last week
Coal Hits Record Lows as Solar Power Becomes Europe’s No.1 Energy Source
Tesla Model Y gets 600km range with NEW battery – price stays the same!
Zeekr reveals the most advanced hybrid tech we’ve ever seen…
#gm #lmr #batterytechnology #lfpbattery #gamechanger #manufacturing #batterytech #battery
👇Reference to the news/charts & videos used in this video:
https://insideevs.com/news/766646/gm-lmr-battery-cost-savings-lfp/ https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/gm-loss-trump-tariffs-general-motors-rcna220502
This channel may use some copyrighted materials without specific authorization of the owner; but content used here falls under the “Fair Use” Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.
Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Contact us for any copyright issues. If you want a credit of any footage we are using, please let us know.
Website: https://theelectricviking.com/contact/
Email: contact@theelectricviking.com
