The first Ultium Cells LLC plant has been started up in Lordstown, Ohio, General Motors confirmed, the first of four plants that will produce lithium-ion battery pouches that will be compiled as the power-sources for a series of battery-electric vehicles built by GM.
Ultium is a joint venture of General Motors and LG Energy Solution, that is building two other EV battery plants in Spring Hill, Tenn., and Lansing, Mich., to manufacture “large-format, pouch-style cells (that) can be stacked vertically or horizontally inside the battery pack.”
GM has previously indicated plans for the joint-venture to develop a fourth plant, each one carrying a reported cost of $2.3-2.5 billion.
The 2.8-million sq.ft. plant in Ohio is producing the battery packs but shipments have not yet started, according to a spokesperson. The current activity is focused on training for 800 workers, a number that is projected to rise to 1,300 according to Ultium.
The battery packs will be installed in GM Ultium battery packs for Chevrolet and Cadillac electric vehicles, and more models as GM expands its EV offerings through the remainder of this decade.
Domestic production of EV batteries is one requirement for automakers to help EV buyers qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit established by the recent Inflation Reduction Act.
