GM's Electric Dreams: Cheaper Batteries to the Rescue! (Or is it?) - Wonder Woman Investigates!

Ares's Chariot or a Ford Fiesta? GM's Electric Ambitions

Greetings mortals! Wonder Woman here diving deep into the latest rumblings from the world of automotives. General Motors it seems is aiming to revolutionize their electric vehicle lineup with a 'groundbreaking' new battery technology. They're calling it lithium manganese rich or LMR for those of you who prefer acronyms to well *actual words*. Honestly sometimes I think mankind forgets the beauty of a well spoken sentence. But I digress! They're hoping these LMR batteries slated for use in behemoths like the Chevrolet Silverado and Escalade IQ by 2028 will cut costs and boost profits. My lasso tingles with suspicion... could this be true? Or is it another Circe like illusion?

Manganese Mania: Mining for Cheaper Dreams

The magic ingredient you see is manganese. Apparently it's more abundant and cheaper than the usual suspects cobalt and nickel. Think of it as swapping out ambrosia for... well let's just say a less divine snack. According to Kurt Kelty VP of all things battery related at GM LMR unlocks 'premium range and performance at an affordable cost.' 'Game changing,' he declares. But as my Amazonian sisters always taught me 'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts... and automakers bearing promises!' I will be watching GM *very* closely.

Ford's Lightning Bolt: A Race to the Future (or a Dead End?)

Now here's where things get interesting. It seems GM isn't the only one chasing this manganese rainbow. Ford their crosstown rival also plans to launch 'game changing' LMR batteries before 2030. It’s a race to the future or maybe a mad dash to the same cliff. Apparently LMR batteries have been around for ages but they've historically had shorter lifespans. Will GM’s partnership with LG Energy Solution truly solve this age old problem? Or will these electric chariots become glorified paperweights sooner than expected?

Prismatic Promises: Shape Matters Apparently

These new batteries are also 'prismatic,' meaning they're square shaped. Apparently shape matters in the world of electric vehicles. Who knew? I've always preferred the classic round shield myself but perhaps I'm behind the times. GM claims these batteries will also cut hundreds of pounds from their EVs and significantly reduce the number of parts. Fewer parts more range lower cost... it almost sounds too good to be true. Remember what Hippolyta always told me ‘Nothing is impossible but some things are less likely than others.’

Beyond Ultium: A Battery Buffet

GM isn't abandoning its current battery technology though. The LMR batteries will be a supplement to their existing 'Ultium' pouch cell batteries and upcoming lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for smaller EVs. It seems GM wants a battery for every occasion like a well stocked armory. And let's not forget Kelty's bold claim that GM has surpassed Tesla as the top EV battery manufacturer in North America. Bold words indeed! I’ll need verification of this with my lasso of truth.

The Bottom Line: Will Electric Dreams Become Reality?

GM is hoping these new batteries will address consumer concerns about cost and range. They're aiming for over 400 miles of range in an electric truck while slashing battery costs. But the road to electric vehicle adoption is paved with more than just good batteries. Charging infrastructure consumer education and… well convincing people that electric cars aren’t just glorified golf carts are still major hurdles. Only time will tell if GM's electric dreams will become a reality or if they'll remain just that – dreams. This is Wonder Woman signing off! Stay vigilant and always question what you’re told even by superheroes. Especially by superheroes.