Spring Hill Battery Plant Upgrade Targets LMR Cell Production

On September 28, General Motors and LG Energy Solution battery joint venture Ultium Cells LLC announced a Spring Hill battery plant upgrade to manufacture lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery cells for future GM electric vehicles. Modifications at the Spring Hill, Tennessee, facility are scheduled to begin later in 2026 and are expected to be completed in 2028. The project will expand the plant’s battery manufacturing capabilities while supporting GM’s future EV battery requirements. The company also expects the expansion to create 500 additional jobs, increasing the plant’s workforce from its current level of 1,200 employees.

Spring Hill Plant to Produce Prismatic LMR Cells

Ultium Cells LLC expects the Spring Hill facility to become the first plant in the world to mass produce prismatic lithium manganese rich battery cells. LMR chemistry has the potential to provide 33% higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells at a comparable cost. The planned production capability therefore adds another battery chemistry to the facility while giving GM access to a cell technology intended for future electric vehicles. The move also reflects the broader development of battery chemistries as automakers and suppliers seek combinations of energy density, cost, manufacturing flexibility, and application-specific performance.

Plant Expansion Adds 500 Jobs

Plant modifications are planned to start later in 2026, with completion targeted for 2028. Once the expansion is implemented, the Spring Hill facility is expected to add 500 jobs to its existing workforce of 1,200 employees. The employment increase will accompany the manufacturing changes required to support prismatic LMR battery cell production. By expanding both its workforce and production capabilities, the facility will evolve beyond its existing battery manufacturing activities. The project also represents a longer-term commitment to maintaining domestic battery production capacity as GM develops additional electric vehicles and evaluates different battery chemistries for future applications.

LFP Production Already Supports Energy Storage

The LMR program builds on the facility’s existing production of lithium iron phosphate cells for energy storage systems. That LFP production began in June 2026 for customers of LG Energy Solution Vertech, giving the plant experience with another battery chemistry alongside its planned LMR capabilities. The two programs demonstrate how the facility is being configured to support applications beyond a single battery chemistry. The existing LFP activity is focused on energy storage systems, while the new LMR program is intended for future GM electric vehicles, creating distinct applications for the plant’s expanding production capabilities.

Investment to Reach USD 1 Billion

Combined investment in the LMR and LFP programs, along with related plant improvements, is expected to reach USD 1 billion by 2030. The investment covers the expansion of battery manufacturing capabilities associated with both programs and reflects the facility’s evolving production role. Rather than relying on one chemistry or one form factor, the plant is being developed to accommodate multiple battery technologies. This approach gives the operation greater flexibility as battery requirements change across electric vehicle and energy storage applications. The planned investment also supports the physical and manufacturing changes needed to introduce additional cell technologies at the Tennessee facility.

Multiple Chemistries and Cell Formats

The Spring Hill facility’s planned capabilities will include multiple battery chemistries in both pouch and prismatic form factors. Its LFP production supports energy storage systems, while the planned prismatic LMR production is intended for future GM EVs. This combination illustrates the facility’s ability to adapt its manufacturing operations as battery technologies evolve. The use of different chemistries and form factors can support different application requirements rather than forcing every product to use the same cell design. For GM and its battery manufacturing partners, the expanded capability provides a broader production base for developing and supplying battery cells as electric vehicle technology continues to change.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The development expands battery manufacturing flexibility in the United States by combining LFP and LMR production within the same Spring Hill operation and adding both pouch and prismatic capabilities. For GM, the project provides a dedicated pathway toward future EV battery supply using LMR chemistry, while LG Energy Solution gains expanded production capabilities across automotive and energy storage applications. The 2028 completion target means the next major steps will involve plant modifications, workforce expansion, and preparation for prismatic LMR mass production. The USD 1 billion combined investment through 2030 underscores the longer-term importance of flexible battery manufacturing as automakers and suppliers continue adapting chemistry and cell formats to different applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the Spring Hill facility produce?
The Spring Hill facility will be upgraded to mass produce prismatic lithium manganese rich battery cells for future GM electric vehicles. The plant already produces lithium iron phosphate cells for energy storage systems, so the planned expansion will add another chemistry and cell format to its capabilities. LMR cells have the potential to provide 33% higher energy density than LFP at a comparable cost. Plant modifications are expected to begin later in 2026 and be completed in 2028, while the expansion is expected to add 500 jobs to the existing workforce of 1,200 employees.