Lithium-manganese-rich cells: More energy, less space required
As part of their joint venture “Ultium Cells”, GM and LG have developed a new battery technology: the so-called lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic cell. These cells are said to be able to store up to 33% more energy than the previously widely used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries – at comparable costs.
This increase is a decisive advantage, especially for motorcycles, quads or side-by-side vehicles, where weight and installation space are very limited. More range and performance without additional weight or higher costs could significantly improve the acceptance of electric vehicles in the powersports sector.
Pragmatic cell design for flexible integration
The prismatic design of the new cells allows much more flexible integration into different vehicle types. In contrast to cylindrical cells, prismatic cells can be stacked more easily and adapted to individual geometries. This is a major advantage, especially for two-wheelers or off-road vehicles, where every millimeter of installation space counts and thermal management is particularly demanding.
Series production from 2028 – a long but planned path
Even if the technical breakthrough sounds promising, it will still be several years before the new cell technology can be found in series vehicles. According to LG, pre-production is set to begin at the end of 2027, with full series production planned for 2028 in the USA.
However, the development of this battery technology began much earlier: GM has been researching LMR chemistry since 2015 and LG now holds over 200 patents in this area. This is therefore by no means a quick-fire project, but the result of many years of targeted research.
Significance for the electric motorcycle market
While sales figures for purely electric vehicles have stabilized or even declined in many markets, hybrid models are currently experiencing an upswing. Nevertheless, there is still interest in pure electric drives – especially in niche markets such as electric motorcycles or light off-road vehicles.
This is where the new generation of batteries from GM and LG could make the decisive difference. Compact dimensions, high energy density and cost efficiency are precisely the characteristics that this market has lacked to date. If the technology proves itself in practical use, e-motorcycles and similar vehicles could finally achieve a breakthrough.
Conclusion
Even if the great hype surrounding electromobility is currently dying down somewhat, it is clear that the industry is continuously working on solutions for the known weak points. The new LMR battery technology from GM and LG is a promising building block for the future – especially for applications where compact design, lightweight construction and range are important. However, patience will be required until it is ready for the market.