The automaker's lithium manganese-rich prismatic battery cells reportedly offer a longer lifespan and higher energy density than previous attempts.

GM says the new cells will be cheaper for a few reasons. For one, manganese is cheaper than cobalt or nickel. The LMR chemistry will have 0-2% cobalt, 30-40% nickel, and 60-70% manganese. That’s significantly less than today’s leading NMC cells, which are up to 10% cobalt and 80% nickel.

General Motors and its joint venture partner LG Energy Solution have been developing a new battery technology, designed to reduce costs

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells,

The Detroit automaker says it will begin commercial production of lithium manganese-rich cells at an Ultium plant in Ohio or Tennessee.

The early repayment came on the same day GM announced its goal to become the first automaker to use a new, cheaper battery chemistry for electric vehicles.