General Motors (GM) is advancing its electric vehicle technology by developing mixed-chemistry battery packs. This innovation combines different battery chemistries to enhance EV performance while controlling costs. Here’s a closer look at GM’s latest patent filing and the future of mixed-chemistry EV batteries.
What Are Mixed-Chemistry Battery Packs?
In a recent patent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), GM revealed its plans to integrate nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) cells with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or other similar chemistries. The goal is to balance the strengths of both types of cells to achieve better performance and cost-efficiency.
Balancing Performance and Cost
The benefit of combining NCM with LFP cells is the potential for a more affordable yet efficient battery. NCM cells are known for their high power and energy density, which improves performance. On the other hand, LFP cells are cheaper and more stable, making them an attractive option for reducing overall battery costs. However, these two chemistries often face charging imbalances that can reduce the battery’s usable capacity.
GM’s design addresses this challenge by incorporating a controller that monitors factors like temperature and charge levels. The controller can then bypass one set of cells to avoid the imbalance, ensuring that the battery operates optimally.
Speed and Efficiency Gains
Mixed-chemistry battery packs may also help solve another problem faced by EVs: slow charging times. Certain chemistries, like LFP, tend to charge more slowly, which can contribute to longer wait times at charging stations. By combining faster-charging cells with slower-charging ones, GM aims to make EVs more practical for everyday use without inflating the battery size and cost.
Other companies are also exploring similar approaches. For instance, CATL has developed mixed-chemistry battery packs to improve charging speeds for plug-in hybrids. Additionally, U.S. startup Our Next Energy demonstrated in 2022 that mixed-chemistry packs could significantly extend range, allowing a BMW iX to reach 600 miles—nearly doubling its EPA range.
The Road Ahead
With GM’s mixed-chemistry battery packs, the future of EVs looks even more promising. This innovation could help overcome many of the current barriers to electric vehicle adoption, such as cost, performance, and charging times. As more automakers jump on the bandwagon, the industry is on the verge of major advancements in battery technology. Stay tuned to see how GM’s mixed-chemistry approach unfolds and how it could transform the EV landscape.
