GM teamed up with Microvast to develop new battery technology to improve safety

CTOnews.com Battery separators are a critical component for the safety of electric vehicle power batteries, so General Motors announced a partnership with battery manufacturer Microvat to develop separator technology and will build a new factory in the United States.

The two companies will collaborate to develop new diaphragm technologies aimed at improving safety, charging performance and battery life of electric vehicles. This advanced technology will be designed to improve the thermal stability of electric vehicle batteries and is applicable to almost all types of lithium-ion batteries.

GM will share diaphragm and coating technology with Stafford, Texas-based Microvat. Kent Helfrich, GM's chief technology officer and vice president of research and development, said:

This partnership with Microvast supports our ongoing efforts to develop a North America-focused EV supply chain and help make EVs accessible to everyone.

It will also provide us with groundbreaking battery separator technology for future Ultium batteries and, most importantly, support our consistent commitment to safety.

Neither company said where the new plant would be built in the United States or when.

Last week, Electrek reported that GM CEO Mary Barra said the company's electric vehicle models would receive full tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in two to three years:

We think at the beginning we will be eligible for $3750 and we will be fully eligible in the next two to three years to reach $7500.

CTOnews.com learned that in order for its electric vehicles to qualify for IRA electric vehicle tax credits, GM needs to meet two requirements:

Critical Minerals ($3750)-Starting next year, at least 40 percent of the value of critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries will need to be produced or assembled in the United States with its free trade partners or recycled in North America. Every year after that demand rose by 10%. For example, 50% is needed in 2024, 60% in 2025 and 70% in 2026.

Battery assembly ($3750)-Starting next year, at least half the value of battery assemblies for electric vehicles will need to be manufactured or assembled in North America. Again, this demand will grow at a rate of 10% per year.