Sources say General Electric vehicles plan to use cylindrical batteries

CTOnews.com, January 28 (Xinhua) General Motors is considering using cylindrical batteries instead of soft-pack batteries in its electric vehicles (EV), according to TheElec.

The US auto giant has previously used soft-pack batteries from LG New Energy, a battery supplier, for its models.

GM's choice led to the postponement of negotiations with LG New Energy on plans to build a fourth plant in two joint ventures, Ultium Cells, according to sources.

At the same time, the American company may finalize its plans to use cylindrical batteries in the future. Its future EV platform will support the use of this battery type.

GM has a good chance of choosing a similar 4680 battery, which is the specification used by Tesla.

Cylindrical batteries are shaped like cylinders and are widely used by Tesla. Other carmakers, such as BMW, Volvo and Stellantis, also plan to use this battery type because it has a productivity advantage over the competitive type.

CTOnews.com learned that cylindrical battery manufacturers can roll up cathodes, anodes and diaphragms and put them in cylindrical tanks, which is a fairly simple production process.

But the disadvantage is that cylindrical batteries usually have lower energy density than square and soft package batteries. This is because when cylindrical batteries are installed together, there is more space available.

4680 the battery length is 80 mm. When they are packaged together, making them longer and wider creates less white space. Tesla also used a 4680 battery without polar ears to make it more compact.

GM is also likely to consider cylindrical batteries because the prices of battery packs and raw materials are rising. Cylindrical batteries are the oldest battery type, providing more room for manufacturers to reduce costs.