Ultium

Last updated
Ultium architecture at Shenzhen Auto Show (June 2023), showing flat, underfloor battery module (between the wheels) and front and rear Ultium Drive units. GENERAL MOTORS ULTIUM PLATFORM DEMO.jpg
Ultium architecture at Shenzhen Auto Show (June 2023), showing flat, underfloor battery module (between the wheels) and front and rear Ultium Drive units.

Ultium is an electric vehicle battery and motor architecture developed by General Motors. [1] It is being deployed for battery electric vehicles from General Motors portfolio brands along with vehicles from Honda [2] and Acura. [3]

Contents

Ultium is characterized by a modular layout, using an Ultium battery to supply power to one or two Ultium Drive unit(s) using a common set of power electronics (charging, battery management system, and inverter). The high-voltage battery is composed of pouch cells that can be stacked horizontally or vertically, depending on the form factor appropriate for each vehicle, generally carried between the axles and under the floor. The traction motor(s), reduction gear, and power electronics are combined into a single Ultium Drive unit that drives the front, rear, or both axles. Three electric motor designs, sharing a common stator, are used across all planned vehicles/types. [4] [5] Ultium is used by GM's BEV3 and BT1 platforms. [6]

History

General Motors revealed the Ultium battery and platform technologies during a week-long March 2020 event held at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan; [7] GM chairwoman and CEO Mary Barra called it "a multi-brand, multi-segment EV strategy with economies of scale that rival our full-size truck business with much less complexity and even more flexibility". [8] The Ultium Drive branding was applied six months later in September 2020, referring to electric vehicle drivetrain components exclusive of the batteries, such as the traction motors and power electronics. [9]

GM announced in June 2021 it would collaborate with Wabtec to provide Ultium battery modules for zero-emission heavy-haul locomotives, including the FLXDrive. [10]

In 2022, the US Army selected GM Defense to demonstrate an electric military vehicle, using the GMC Hummer EV pickup. In September, GM Defense was chosen to build a heavy-duty pack to power electric military vehicles. [11]

Design

Ultium Drive

Ultium vehicles are powered by a family of five interchangeable drive units and three electric traction motors, known collectively as "Ultium Drive". [5]

Planned motors include: [12]

The motors are suitable for front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. For example, the GMC Hummer EV prototype shown in March 2020 has full-time all-wheel drive and is equipped with three 255 kW (342 hp) motors, one driving the front axle and the other two driving the rear wheels. [7] The two drive units provide reduction ratios of 13.3:1 and 10.5:1 for the front and rear wheels, respectively. [13] The three traction motor types are oil-cooled and share a common stator design. [14]

The drive units are single-speed reduction gearboxes with integrated drivetrain electronic control modules that accept one or more traction motors and provide power to the wheels. These modules, sometimes called power electronics, include the traction power inverter, onboard charging module, and accessory power module; [15] drive unit integration of these modules results in a combined mass that is half that of the equivalent components of the Chevrolet Bolt EV. [16] [17]

Ultium battery

Ultium battery cells feature nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) chemistry, and will be manufactured by Ultium Cells LLC, a joint-venture of GM and LG Energy Solution as large format pouch cells. [18] Battery materials will be supplied by LG Chem and POSCO Chemical (cathode active materials) and Livent (lithium hydroxide). [19] [20]

In China, Ultium-branded battery cells use nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry and are manufactured by CATL with cylindrical packaging. [21] With the announcement of the joint venture with Samsung SDI for the fourth US battery plant in April 2023, prismatic and cylindrical Ultium battery cells will be produced domestically. [22]

Specifications

Each Ultium pouch cell measures approximately 23 by 4 by 0.4 in (584 by 102 by 10 mm) and weighs 3.0 lb (1.36 kg), capable of storing 0.37 kWh; [23] the nominal voltage is 3.7 V and it is rated at 103 Ah. The gravimetric energy density of each cell is 127 Wh/lb (280 Wh/kg); the corresponding volumetric energy density is 10.4 Wh/in3 (630 Wh/L). It has a 10-second gravimetric power density of 952 W/kg. [24] For example, the total weight of the 24-module, 576-cell battery for the Hummer EV, with 212.7 kWh usable storage capacity, is 2,923 lb (1,326 kg). [25] Pouches may be oriented horizontally or vertically, affording packaging flexibility. [23]

Ultium features a wireless battery management system (wBMS), the first such architecture from any automaker. [26] The wBMS was developed in partnership with Analog Devices and contributes to reduced battery costs, as it requires 90% less wiring and reduces volume by 15%. [27]

In late January 2023, it was reported that GM was considering switching to batteries in a cylindrical cell format. This move would reduce volumetric energy density, but could reduce production time and costs. [28]

Assembly

GM announced that cells can be assembled into modules with various configurations and demonstrated three examples: [29]

  • 24 cells vertically stacked, or
  • 20 cells: 10+10 cells next to each other, each pile horizontally stacked (to reduce module width), or
  • 12 cells: 6+6 cells next to each other, each pile horizontally stacked (to reduce module width and height).

This way, multiple module sizes are possible, which could be mixed and matched for a certain application and platform.

For example, when 24 cells are combined into a module, and a battery pack is made from 6 to 24 identical modules, this means the pack includes 144 to 576 cells, with a capacity ranging from 50 to 200 kWh. [23] GM claims that they can survive repeated DC fast charging. [23]

For the GMC Hummer EV, there are two layers. At each layer, 12 modules are wired in series, creating a 400 V, 100 kWh battery layer; these two layers are then stacked and wired in parallel, yielding 200 kWh storage capacity for electric motors at the 400V level. [23] For charging at 800V DC fast charging stations however, the two layers can be temporarily switched to be wired in series, allowing for DC fast charging at up to 800 V and 350 kW. [23]

In 2024, it was reported by InsideEVs that issues with the machines used to assemble cells into modules had resulted in delays in vehicle production during 2023; it proved to be impossible to increase production speed from 5 to 30 modules per hour per assembly line, but GM was adding module assembly lines to compensate. [30]

Cost

In 2010, the cost of the 16 kWh battery in the Chevrolet Volt was estimated at US$1,000(equivalent to $1,400 in 2023) per kilowatt-hour. [23] With Ultium, GM estimates the cost will be reduced by 90% to approximately $100/kWh. [23] This also is a significant reduction compared to the 60 kWh battery in the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which was priced at approximately $262/kWh in 2017, [31] although GM had negotiated a significantly lower price of $145/kWh from its supplier, LG Chem. [32] Part of the cost reduction results from the novel chemistry, which has 70% less cobalt than the Bolt's battery. [23] In addition, labor costs are reduced because the wiring in each battery pack has been reduced by 88% compared to the Bolt due to the wireless battery management system. [33]

Production

Four production facilities were planned as of 2021; [34] they have since been announced as:

GM also opened an Ultium Center factory in October 2021 in Shanghai, which produces batteries and traction motors for EVs produced and sold in China. [43] In 2022, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) provided a $2.5 billion loan to Ultium Cells to assist in the construction of the three announced plants in the US. It is the first loan from DOE to a battery cell producer under the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. [18]

In January 2023, GM and LG paused plans to build the fourth battery plant in the United States after having selected the Indiana site the previous August, [44] with GM seeking a new joint venture partner. [45] Later that year, Samsung SDI announced it was entering a joint venture with GM, and the fourth plant would proceed at the Indiana site. [46] Lower than expected Ultium battery cell production caused GM to idle production of BrightDrop Zevo vans in July 2023. [47]

Vehicles using Ultium

Current
Planned

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors</span> American multinational automotive company

General Motors Company (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The company is most known for owning and manufacturing four automobile brands, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. By sales, it was the largest automaker in the United States in 2022, and was the largest in the world for 77 years before losing the top spot to Toyota in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hummer</span> Brand of vehicles (1992–2010)

Hummer is a brand of pickups and SUVs first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. Although discontinued in 2010, Hummer returned as a model under GMC in 2020. In 1998, General Motors (GM) purchased the brand name from AM General and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the military Humvee, as well as the new H2 and H3 models that were based on smaller, civilian-market GM platforms.

Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly, also referred to as Factory Zero and GM Poletown, is a General Motors (GM) automobile assembly plant straddling the border between Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. It is located about three miles (five km) from GM's corporate headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle battery</span> Battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle

An electric vehicle battery is a rechargeable battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Bolt</span> Electric hatchback marketed by Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Bolt EV is a battery electric subcompact hatchback produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque. The Bolt was produced from late 2016 to mid-2021, subsequently restarting in early 2022, until late 2023. In mid-2023, GM officials said they would cancel the car, then three months later announced plans but no date for a next-generation model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Volt (first generation)</span> American hybrid car (2010–2015)

The Chevrolet Volt is a compact car that was produced by General Motors. The first generation of the Chevrolet Volt, it was manufactured at the Detroit facility until it was succeeded by the second and final generation of the Volt in 2015. It is a five-door liftback with a range-extending generator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucid Air</span> American electric car (2021–)

The Lucid Air is a battery electric 4-door luxury sedan made by Lucid Motors. Announced in December 2016 and sold starting in 2021, it is designed to compete with the Tesla Model S, the Karma Revero, the Porsche Taycan, as well as other luxury electric vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMC Hummer EV</span> Battery electric pickup truck and SUV

The GMC Hummer EV is a line of battery electric heavy-duty vehicles produced by General Motors since 2021, and sold under the GMC marque. The Hummer EV is offered in two variants: a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle (SUV), unveiled in October 2020 and April 2021 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Lyriq</span> Battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV

The Cadillac Lyriq is an electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac subdivision of General Motors. As Cadillac's first fully electric vehicle, and the first GM production vehicle using the BEV3 platform, the Lyriq introduces a new version of GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors BEV2 platform</span> Electric vehicle platform

The GM BEV2 platform is an automotive platform made by General Motors designed specifically for small electric vehicles. Multiple divisions of the LG Corporation have been instrumental in construction in addition to GM's contributions to the platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Bolt EUV</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a battery electric subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, presented on February 14, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Celestiq</span> Motor vehicle

The Cadillac Celestiq is an electric car made by the Cadillac division of General Motors. It is the flagship sedan, replacing the Cadillac CT6, Production commenced in January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

Hyundai E-GMP is a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform for Hyundai Motor Group automobiles. It is the first electric-only dedicated platform by Hyundai. It has been used for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis automobiles starting in 2021. It follows Hyundai's earlier Power Electric System, which describes the drivetrain of an electric vehicle, including the traction motor, storage battery, and power electronics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BrightDrop Zevo</span> Electric van produced by General Motors

The BrightDrop Zevo is a battery electric delivery van produced by General Motors for its electric commercial vehicle marque BrightDrop. It was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show on 12 January 2021. There are two models, the larger Zevo 600 and the smaller Zevo 400

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Silverado EV</span> Battery electric pickup truck

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is a battery electric full-size pickup truck manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced in January 2022, the Silverado EV went on sale in 2023 for the 2024 model year in the North American market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Equinox EV</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand since 2024. It was introduced in January 2022 in a set of images at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and was planned to go on sale in the fall of 2023 for the 2024 model year. The Equinox EV features a design and underpinnings different from the ICE-powered Equinox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors BEV3 platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

The GM BEV3 platform is a dedicated electric vehicle architecture or platform developed by General Motors. It is the third-generation electric vehicle platform by GM, succeeding the BEV2 platform. It is categorized as a skateboard platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Prologue</span> Battery electric mid-size crossover SUV

The Honda Prologue is a battery electric mid-size crossover SUV jointly developed by Honda and General Motors that is marketed in North America. Announced in October 2022 with sales starting in March 2024, it is Honda's first major electric vehicle following a number of low volume battery electric vehicles previously sold by Honda in North America, including the Honda Clarity, Honda Fit, and the experimental Honda EV Plus. Based heavily on the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Prologue is comparable in size with the ICE-powered Passport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors BT1 platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

The GM BT1 platform, marketed under Ultium branding, is a dedicated electric vehicle architecture or platform developed by General Motors (GM). It underpins electric full-size pickup trucks and SUVs sold by GM, using battery and motor technology developed under its Ultium program; these are shared with third-generation GM electric vehicles on the BEV3 platform. BT1 is categorized as a skateboard platform.

References

  1. ↑ "New Electric Vehicle Battery Technology | General Motors". www.gm.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  2. ↑ "2024 Honda Prologue is new electric crossover based on GM's Ultium platform". Motor Authority. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ "GM's Ultium-Based Honda And Acura Confirmed". InsideEVs. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ "GM Reveals New Ultium Batteries and a Flexible Global Platform to Rapidly Grow its EV Portfolio". media.gm.com. March 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Ultium Drive to Help Power GM's All-Electric Future". media.gm.com (Press release). September 16, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ LaReau, Jamie L. "GM unveils 11 future EVs, new batteries and its plan to beat Tesla". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Cole, Craig (March 5, 2020). "GM reveals new EV platform and 'Ultium' battery to help hunt Tesla". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  8. ↑ "GM Reveals New Ultium Batteries and a Flexible Global Platform to Rapidly Grow its EV Portfolio" (Press release). General Motors. March 4, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  9. ↑ Halvorson, Bengt (September 16, 2020). "GM Ultium Drive, Electrify America pricing, Audi fuel-cell stack: Today's Car News". Green Car Reports. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Wabtec and GM to develop advanced Ultium Battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell solutions for rail industry". Green Car Congress. June 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Peter (October 7, 2022). "US Department of Defense embracing electric military vehicles using GM's Ultium Platform". Electrek. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  12. ↑ "GM Reveals All-New EV Motors to Power an All-Electric Future". media.gm.com. September 21, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  13. ↑ "2022 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 first with new Ultium battery architecture; 24-module, dual stack, 350+ miles range". Green Car Congress. October 22, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  14. ↑ Halvorson, Bengt (September 22, 2021). "GM details Ultium EV motor family, enabling more range without bigger batteries". Green Car Reports. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  15. ↑ "GM reveals new Ultium Drive EV motors designed and developed in-house with GM propulsion software". Green Car Congress. September 22, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ Halvorson, Bengt (September 16, 2020). "Will GM's Ultium Drive be the small-block V-8 for a generation of EVs?". Green Car Reports. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  17. ↑ Hyatt, Kyle (September 23, 2021). "GM debuts its Ultium Drive electric motors". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  18. 1 2 "DOE announces $2.5B loan to Ultium Cells for three US battery cell manufacturing facilities". Green Car Congress. December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  19. ↑ "GM signs major Li-ion supply chain agreements: CAM with LG Chem and lithium hydroxide with Livent". Green Car Congress. July 26, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ "POSCO Chemical, GM in large-scale CAM supply agreement to support EV growth". Green Car Congress. August 29, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  21. ↑ Lopez, Jonathan (February 3, 2023). "GM Uses Cylinder Cells In Its Ultium Battery Packs In China". GM Authority. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  22. ↑ Halvorson, Bengt (April 25, 2023). "$3B GM-Samsung battery plant might enable electric Corvette, Camaro". Green Car Reports. Retrieved July 25, 2023. The new plant will make 'high-performing, nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical batteries that will be exclusively supplied for GM's upcoming electric vehicles,' according to the announcement. The form factor would make them markedly different than the very large-format pouch cells GM has in the three plants under development and production with Ultium Cells LLC.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vanderwerp, Dave (July 7, 2021). "How GM's Ultium Battery Will Help It Commit to an Electric Future". Car and Driver. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ Nigel (June 8, 2022). "GM Ultium". Battery Design. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  25. ↑ Hoffman, Connor; Vanderwerp, Dave (February 15, 2022). "2022 GMC Hummer EV EPA Documents Reveal MPGe, Weight, Other Details". Car and Driver. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  26. ↑ "General Motors' Future Electric Vehicles to Debut Industry's First Wireless Battery Management System". media.gm.com. September 9, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  27. ↑ Tarantola, A. (April 6, 2021). "GM is betting its electrified future on a revolutionary new battery system". engadget. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  28. ↑ Lee, Stan (January 25, 2023). "General Motors considering using cylinder batteries over pouch for EVs". TheElec. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Ultium's Flexible, Unique Battery Cells". gm.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Voelcker, John (February 22, 2024). "How GM's Ultium Electric Car Revolution Went Off The Rails". InsideEVs. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  31. ↑ Voelcker, John (June 9, 2017). "How much is a replacement Chevy Bolt EV electric-car battery?". Green Car Reports. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  32. ↑ Cole, Jay (October 23, 2015). "LG Chem 'Ticked Off' With GM For Disclosing $145/kWh Battery Cell Pricing – Video". InsideEVs. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  33. ↑ Gitlin, Jonathan M. (March 4, 2020). "General Motors announces new battery platform, claims $100/kWh soon". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Q2 2021 Letter to Shareholders". media.gm.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  35. ↑ Kane, Mark (September 1, 2022). "Ultium Cells Begins EV Battery Production In Ohio". Inside EVs. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  36. ↑ King, R. J. (April 16, 2021). "GM and LG Energy Announce $2.3B Battery Cell Plant in Tennessee". DBusiness Magazine. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  37. ↑ "LG and General Motors to spend 2.7 trillion won for 2nd factory". THE ELEC, Korea Electronics Industry Media (in Korean). April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Ultium Cells investing additional $275M to expand Spring Hill plant to 50 GWh". Green Car Congress. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ Lopez, Jonathan (April 5, 2024). "Ultium Cells Spring Hill Begins Battery Cell Shipments".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ↑ Hill, Joshua S. (January 27, 2022). "GM and LG Energy commit $A3.65 billion for third Ultium EV battery plant". The Driven. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Samsung SDI, General Motors Plan to Establish Joint Venture for Battery Manufacturing" (Press release). Samsung SDI. April 26, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  42. ↑ Brown, Alex (June 13, 2023). "New Carlisle chosen for $3B EV battery plant". Inside Indiana Business. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  43. ↑ Centeno, Deivis (October 21, 2021). "GM Inaugurates New Ultium Center Factory In China". GM Authority. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  44. ↑ Hall, Kalea (August 18, 2022). "GM considering Indiana town for fourth battery plant". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  45. ↑ Wayland, Michael (January 20, 2023). "GM, LG end plans for fourth U.S. battery cell plant as automaker seeks new partner". CNBC. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  46. ↑ "GM, Samsung SDI teaming to build more than $3B EV battery cell plant in Indiana". AP News. June 13, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  47. ↑ Gitlin, Jonathan M. (July 18, 2023). "Battery shortage forces GM to pause commercial EV production". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  48. ↑ Pritchard, Justin (June 8, 2022). "Deep Dive: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV's Ultium platform". Driving (Canada). Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  49. ↑ Feijter, Tycho de (January 12, 2023). "Buick Electra E4 Proves That GM Can Make Attractive Compact EVs". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.chevrolet.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  51. ↑ "All-Electric 2024 Acura ZDX And ZDX Type S Make Dramatic Global Debut; Arriving Early Next Year". August 17, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Site Maintenance". www.gobrightdrop.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.gm.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.cadillac.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.cadillac.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.chevrolet.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Site Maintenance". media.gmc.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Stylish, Sporty, Spacious and All-Electric: Honda Prologue SUV Available Early Next Year with Anticipated EPA Range Rating of 300 Miles". Honda Automobiles Newsroom. September 28, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.