The Ultium Cells LLC battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution confirmed plans to mass-produce lithium manganese-rich cells for EVs by 2028, as part of a combined $1 billion investment in the facility.This story was originally published on WardsAuto. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily WardsAuto newsletter.Dive Brief:General Motors' Ultium Cells LLC joint venture with LG Energy Solution plans to upgrade its operations in Spring Hill, Tennessee, for the production of lithium manganese rich battery cells. Together with the supplier's improvements toward production of lithium iron phosphate cells for energy storage systems, it represents a $1 billion investment by 2030, according to a press release.Ultium Cells says that the facility will be the first in the world to mass-produce prismatic LMR cells — with a potential 33% boost in energy density versus lithium iron phosphate, which is the preferred affordable battery chemistry at present. Spring Hill will produce LFP and LMR chemistries, in both pouch and prismatic formats."Establishing LMR prismatic cell production at Ultium Cells in Spring Hill is a key step in GM's strategy to match the right battery technology to customer needs and strengthen our leadership in domestic battery manufacturing and innovation," said Kurt Kelty, GM vice president of battery and sustainability.Dive Insight:Significant improvements in energy density in a chemistry intended for affordability means that future EVs might be able to add driving range without adding cost — and, perhaps, while cutting weight. As the International Energy Agency pointed out in its most recent Global EV Outlook, LFP battery packs tend to be 40% cheaper on average compared to lithium manganese cobalt oxide alternatives on a kWh basis. But the lower energy density of LFP means higher weight, as NMC batteries tend to offer roughly 40% better energy density. LMR cells are a lithium-ion chemistry that uses a higher percentage of lower-cost manganese in place of cobalt. And with the one-third better energy density versus LFP that Ultium Cells cites, they're now close to the performance of NMC, but at a lower cost.Ultium cells says that facility modifications are expected to be completed by 2028. GM had previously said that it intended to start production of LMR cells in the U.S. by 2028 for full-size electric trucks and SUVs."High-nickel batteries will continue to give customers the highest range in our portfolio, while adding LMR positions us to leapfrog today's more affordable chemistries and deliver lower costs with better performance," said Kelty. "This flexibility allows us to scale efficiently, reach more customers, and support GM's long-term EV strategy and profitability journey."The shift to LMR cells might also help allow battery affordability without business ties to China. About 60% of the cells used for EVs globally are prismatic, according to the IEA — the format Ultium Cells plans to use for its LMR cells. Globally LFP batteries now account for about 55% of the global EV battery market, and China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. and BYD Co. control the vast majority of supply and accompanying manufacturing capacity. That's forced Western companies to license from these companies, which Ford Motor Co. has done with CATL, or form joint ventures.Ultium Cells says that the necessary modifications to the facility will start later this year, with completion due in 2028. It's expected to create 500 jobs, according to the company, in addition to the current workforce of 1,200."This marks Ultium Cells' second major investment in Spring Hill and reflects the company's continued growth as a diversified battery cell manufacturer," said Injae Pahk, President of Ultium Cells. "By evolving production to meet changing market demands, Ultium Cells is reinforcing its long-term position as a key employer and technology leader in the U.S. battery cell sector."GM, LG's Ultium Battery Venture Expands to Spring Hill, TN',