LG Energy Solution (LGES) and General Motors’ joint battery facility in Tennessee, known as Ultium Cells Plant 2, is making significant strides in battery production for electric vehicles. The plant is expected to reach a total production capacity of 50 GWh, supporting the production of 600,000 high-performance electric cars with a range of 500 km (310 miles) per charge.
Kim Young-deuk, head of Ultium Cells’ second factory, highlighted the facility’s rapid progress, stating, “We achieved the target yield of over 90% in just one month of mass production, the shortest period in history.”
Covering an area of 257,000 square meters (2.8 million square feet), Ultium Cells Plant 2 currently employs approximately 1,200 people. LG Energy Solution and GM invested a total of 2.7 trillion won ($1.96 billion) to build the facility, which commenced full operations in March 2024. The batteries produced at the site are currently being used for the Cadillac Lyriq.
GM’s Chief Executive Officer Chris DeSautels expressed optimism about the plant’s achievements, stating, “The successful launch of the high-end vehicle Lyriq will be an important milestone in the long-standing GM-LG partnership.”
Plans are underway for Ultium Cells Plant 2 to also provide batteries for GM’s new third-generation electric cars, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV, set to begin deliveries in 2024. The Equinox EV’s affordable price point is expected to drive significant demand, necessitating a substantial increase in battery production at the facility.
In addition to the Tennessee plant, LG Group is constructing a cathode material production plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, with construction starting in December 2023. LGES is also gearing up to start 4680 battery cell production at its Ochang, South Korea facility, with plans to supply these cells to Tesla, one of its largest clients.
