LG Energy Solution (LGES), a battery manufacturer based in South Korea, announced on Tuesday the commencement of production at its second battery plant in the United States, in collaboration with General Motors (GM).
The joint venture, known as Ultium Cells, marked the milestone with the delivery of the first batch of battery cells to GM for incorporation into various electric vehicles, including the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq SUV. This development underscores the strategic partnership between LGES and GM in advancing electric vehicle technology.
The operations of the first U.S. plant of Ultium Cells, located in Ohio and launched in November 2022, laid the groundwork for this expansion. Ultium Cells is also gearing up to initiate production at a third plant in Michigan next year, further solidifying its presence in the American market.
The second plant is poised to scale up its battery cell output capacity, aiming to reach a production capacity of 50 gigawatt-hours (GWh). This significant output capacity is expected to facilitate the manufacture of approximately 600,000 high-performance electric vehicles capable of traveling over 500 kilometers on a single charge. However, specific details regarding the current capacity of the second plant were not disclosed.
In North America alone, LGES currently operates three battery cell plants, including the two plants established in collaboration with GM and one located in Holland, Michigan. Furthermore, LGES is actively involved in constructing additional plants in partnership with GM, Hyundai Motor, Honda Motor and Stellantis, spanning various states in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada.
Beyond North America, LGES maintains a global footprint with battery cell plants in South Korea, Poland, and China. Moreover, the company is gearing up to commence production at a new plant in Indonesia in the first half of 2024, underscoring its commitment to expanding its manufacturing capabilities across diverse regions.