Because it seeks to handle manufacturing points with its present Ultium battery cells, Basic Motors could also be contemplating one thing much more advanced.
First noticed by Motor1, a just lately filed GM patent software discusses battery cells with Lego-like shapes meant to accommodate cooling channels. As a substitute of constructing battery modules out of a strong mass of cells and putting in a cooling plate beneath, as GM does with its present EVs, gaps between the cells would assist enhance cooling and lengthen battery life, the automaker claims within the software.
GM additionally claims the same impact may very well be achieved with cells with a extra typical rectangular form. On this model, cells of various size and thickness could be organized to create an H-shaped channel within the module to assist cooling.
Basic Motors Lego-like battery cell patent picture
Both design would seemingly require GM to stay with roughly rectangular pouch cells, just like what it is at the moment utilizing, reasonably than the cylindrical cells Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla declare have some thermal benefits, and that BMW is now adopting as properly.
Automakers do not at all times find yourself utilizing the concepts they patent, so it is unclear if this various type of battery cooling will seem in a manufacturing EV. GM has stated that it is versatile in its battery cells, however manufacturing nonuniform cells would seemingly add to the challenges GM is already experiencing in ramping up manufacturing of its Ultium EVs.
GM selected its present large-format pouch cells for being particularly straightforward to make, however the automaker’s expertise to this point may recommend in any other case. In keeping with a latest Bloomberg report, the automaker goals to construct 200,000 to 300,000 EVs this 12 months. That might be huge enchancment over the roughly 14,000 Ultium EVs bought in 2023, however nonetheless properly wanting authentic estimates, Bloomberg notes.
![General Motors Lego-like battery cell patent image General Motors Lego-like battery cell patent image](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/general-motors-lego-like-battery-cell-patent-image_100922865_l.webp)
Basic Motors Lego-like battery cell patent picture
The report claims GM “bypassed its personal greatest practices” to be able to begin Ultium battery-pack manufacturing rapidly. For instance, it skipped the standard check of automated meeting line tools, putting in the tools in its “Manufacturing facility Zero” in Detroit with out that testing. And it particulars battery-related fires at Manufacturing facility Zero, together with one which began after a forklift pierced a battery pack.
GM has additionally been plagued with software program points, which put deliveries of the Chevrolet Blazer EV on maintain for months.
GM executives suppose the worst of those points at the moment are behind the corporate, and that it’s crawling out of the “manufacturing hell” part of the Ultium ramp, in keeping with Bloomberg. However has GM gotten sufficient management over these points to begin shifting on to new cell configurations?