General Motors is exploring the development of midsize electric pickup trucks powered by lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, as part of its broader plan to expand its electric vehicle lineup and reduce costs, GM President Mark Reuss said in an interview with InsideEVs.
Reuss said that while midsize electric trucks remain rare, GM aims to address the key challenge of battery packaging and cost. “You don’t see any real battery-electric midsize trucks, for instance, right? And so why is that?” Reuss said. “The truck doesn’t have enough packaging space to handle the battery packs needed for the duty cycle of the truck.” He added, “Do you get something that has a better energy density at a lower cost, that you don’t have to package as much battery into the truck to get the duty cycle? Now you’re talking.”
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The automaker views LMR battery technology as a way to improve energy density, reduce reliance on costly materials like cobalt, and strengthen domestic supply chains, given manganese’s availability in the United States. “You can take thousands of dollars out of those packs and offer people an incredible value, with a duty cycle that’s almost the same as a gasoline pickup truck,” Reuss said.
GM and LG Energy Solution plan to begin pre-production of LMR prismatic battery cells in 2027, with regular production targeted for 2028. Reuss confirmed that timeline, noting that the chemistry could enable 400-mile-plus range midsize EV trucks that are significantly lighter than current long-range models.
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GM’s VP of battery, propulsion, and sustainability Kurt Kelty said earlier this year, “We’re pioneering manganese-rich battery technology to unlock premium range and performance at an affordable cost… LMR will complement our high-nickel and iron-phosphate solutions to expand customer choice in the truck and full-size SUV markets.”
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