GM is building EV production and a battery factory in Michigan

and build a third factory in the USA. The $ 2.6 billion plant in Lansing, Michigan will produce batteries for GM electric vehicles.

Ultium Cells, a joint venture between companies, expects create 1,700 production jobs at the plant, which is scheduled to open in late 2024. In full production, Ultium expects the plant to have a battery capacity of 50 gigawatt hours, and to be able to adapt to advances in materials and technology. Construction of other Ultium battery plants in Tennessee and Ohio is underway.

Ultium cells can be within the battery pack, allowing GM to customize the look for each vehicle design. Power options range between 50kWh and 200kWh. GM says the Ultium system can deliver a range of 450 miles or more on a single charge and accelerate from zero to 60 MPH in three seconds. The company designs the Ultium-powered EV with fast charging in mind – most will have 400-volt batteries and up to 200 kW fast charging. Electric trucks, meanwhile, will have 800-volt packages with a 350 kW charge.

The Ultium plant is part of the new by GM (the company’s largest single expense to date) at four locations in Michigan. The carmaker is spending $ 4 billion to renovate the Orion Township plant, which will become its second U.S. manufacturing site for Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra.

Conversion work is underway, and GM expects to begin production of electric trucks at the 2024 plant. It is expected to retain about 1,000 current jobs and add more than 2,350. Production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV will continue during the transition. The company predicts it will turn half of its North American assembly capacity into electric vehicle production by 2030.

GM aims to produce more than a million EVs a year in the U.S. by the end of 2025, and today’s investment announcement is a key part of that. The company is also spending more than $ 510 million to increase production at two locations in the Lansing area, one of which is building next-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.