It’s plain to anybody who follows the auto business that there are pro-EV and anti-EV factions at each legacy automaker. For the final three many years, the OEMs’ curiosity in EVs has flapped this manner and that within the winds of quarterly earnings and political shifts.
Final fall, the “let’s wait awhile” contingent appeared to have the higher hand at GM and Ford, as the 2, smarting from the UAW strike, introduced plans to push again their electrification timelines, setting off a spate of “EVs are lifeless” crowing within the well-liked press. (“Not so quick,” say Automobile and Driver and NPR.)
This week it seems that the voltage degree at GM is on the way in which again up, as the corporate pronounces the hiring of worldwide acknowledged battery professional Kurt Kelty, within the newly created place of Vice President of Batteries, which is able to report on to GM President Mark Reuss.
If there’s one space wherein GM and its buddies want to boost their video games, its battery expertise. All are fighting provide chain bottlenecks, and GM’s new fashions primarily based on the Ultium platform have had some teething pains, so to talk.
Kelty could possibly be simply the person to show issues round. He started working with lithium-ion batteries in 1993 at Panasonic, then led Tesla’s battery improvement crew for 11 years, enjoying a key position within the creation of Tesla’s first Gigafactory. His most up-to-date gig was as a VP at Sila, which has developed a novel silicon anode chemistry.
WATCH: In a current Charged webinar, Kurt Kelty explains his work on Sila’s Titan Silicon as a drop-in alternative anode materials
“Kelty will likely be charged with GM’s battery cell technique and a brand new end-to-end strategy,” says GM. “This may embody the usage of uncooked supplies, analysis, creating and investing in new expertise, commercialization of cells and packs, and end-of-life alternatives.”
“The inspiration that GM has established coupled with Kurt’s distinctive battery experience in main battery chemistry improvement, establishing partnerships, constructing out provide chains and partnering intently with groups which have developed main battery methods will assist us obtain our electrification targets and place GM as a pacesetter in EV expertise,” stated Mark Reuss.
“For greater than 30 years, I’ve been centered on serving to develop and commercialize battery applied sciences that can help within the transition to electrical transportation. Becoming a member of GM creates an excellent larger alternative to assist the business make the swap and have an enduring influence on our planet,” stated Kelty.
Supply: GM