General Motors considering using cylinder batteries over pouch for EVs

General Motors was considering using cylinder batteries over pouch batteries in its electric vehicles (EV), TheElec has learned.

The US automobile giant had previously used pouch batteries from EV battery supplier LG Energy Solution for its models.

Sources said this choice by General Motors’ has caused talks with LG Energy Solution over the planned construction of a fourth factory by Ultium Cells, the joint venture between the pair, to be delayed.

Meanwhile, the US company is likely to finalize its plan to use cylinder batteries going forward.

Its future EV platforms will support the use of the battery type.

It is highly like that General Motors will choose 4680 batteries, a specification used by Tesla.

Cylinder batteries are shaped like cylinders and are widely used by Tesla.

Other car makers such as BMW, Volvo, Stellantis, and others are also planning to use the battery type as it has a productivity advantage over competing types.

Cylinder battery makers can roll the cathode, anode, and separator and put them in the cylinder can __ a rather simple production process.

But the downside is that, generally, cylinder batteries have lower energy density compared to prismatic and pouch batteries.

This is because there are more empty spaces when the cylinder batteries are packed together.

This is why battery makers and automobile companies are adopting 4680 batteries __ which have a length of 80mm. Making them longer and wider creates fewer empty spaces when they are packed together.

Tesla also uses 4680 batteries that don’t have tabs, making them even more compact.

General Motors is also likely considering cylinder batteries as battery pack and raw material prices are rising.

Cylinder batteries are the oldest type of batteries, giving more room for manufacturers to lower costs.