GM and LG to produce LFP battery cells at Spring Hill facility by 2027

Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, will upgrade its Spring Hill, Tennessee battery cell manufacturing facility to begin production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells. This upgrade builds on a $2.3 billion investment announced in 2021. The conversion process at the facility is scheduled to begin later in 2025, with commercial-scale LFP battery cell production expected to commence by late 2027.

General Motors stated that the move to LFP technology is intended to complement its current high-nickel battery cell offerings and future lithium manganese-rich solutions. GM’s electric vehicle platform is designed to accommodate various cell chemistries and formats. The company currently produces nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA) battery cells at its Ultium Cells facility in Warren, Ohio, which are used in electric crossovers offering over 300 miles of range. LFP batteries are expected to provide cost advantages at the battery pack level and offer additional consumer options.

The Spring Hill facility employs approximately 1,300 people. With the planned upgrade, the site will be equipped to produce battery cells in multiple chemistries. According to LG Energy Solution, the change is part of a broader strategy to develop and deliver new battery technologies and form factors to meet demand in the electric vehicle market.

Officials from both companies and the State of Tennessee have expressed support for the expansion, citing the region’s long-standing relationship with General Motors and the continued public-private collaboration with LG Energy Solution. Ultium Cells’ leadership noted that the investment allows the company to diversify its product lineup and enhance manufacturing flexibility while maintaining a stable presence in the region’s workforce.