Ultium’s battery system is a key component of this platform, also featuring a modular and flexible design, but with a common battery cell design across different vehicle types. The heart of the system, Ultium’s batteries can stack cells vertically for pickup trucks and SUVs or horizontally for performance vehicles, allowing Ultium to reach just about any customer and segment. Unlike traditional cylindrical battery cells, Ultium battery cells have a flat shape, taking up less space and allowing for efficient stacking. This means GM’s engineers can truly optimize energy density and vehicle layout like never before. It would take 20 small cylindrical cells to produce the power of just one Ultium large-format cell. With battery packs up to to 200 kWh, approximately double that of a typical EV battery, Ultium batteries have the potential to generate over 640 km of range on a single charge, a truly astounding distance for an electric vehicle.
GM is also looking towards environmental sustainability as a key component of EV development. Ultium battery cells feature a state-of-the-art Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum (NCMA) chemistry, reducing cobalt content by over 70%. GM is also continuing to pursue ethical sourcing of raw materials, with a focus on sourcing from North America when possible.