GM in talks with CATL to license cheaper LFP EV battery tech and joint North American plant
General Motors (GM) is reportedly in talks with battery giant CATL to license its cheaper LFP battery tech. The plans could include a new joint North American plant to produce the new batteries.
After software glitches, freight delays, and other issues caused GM to miss its EV sales target in 2023, the company believes “production hell” is behind it.
CEO Mary Barra claims 2024 will be “the year of execution” as the automaker looks to get back on track.
GM is ramping up production of its Ultium-based models after it “turned the corner” at its battery factory in Detroit. With several new Chevy EVs rolling out this year, including the Blazer EV, Equinox EV, and Silverado EV, GM looks to build 200,000 to 300,000 Ultium EVs this year.
That would be around 20 times more than the fewer than 14,000 units sold last year. GM is also retiring its best-selling Chevy Bolt, at least in its current form.
With 62,045 Chevy Bolts sold last year, the electric car accounted for over 81% of GM’s EV sales. Barra confirmed GM will launch an Ultium-based Bolt EV next year.
It will offer “an even better driving, charging, and ownership experience.” According to Barra, it will be the first Ultium EV in North America to feature LFP batteries.
GM looks to CATL for cheaper LFP battery tech
According to a new report from CarNewsChina, GM is in talks with CATL to license its LFP battery tech. The plans also reportedly include building a joint North American factory to make the batteries.
Details are scarce, but the plant will likely be in the US or Mexico. It will be similar to the agreement between CATL and rival Ford. Ford announced a $3.5 billion investment last February to build a new LFP plant (BlueOval Battery Park Michigan).
The plant is expected to begin producing LFP batteries in 2026 to power Ford’s next-gen EVs. Ford reached an agreement with CATL to license its LFP battery tech. The American automaker will manufacture the cells with knowledge from CATL.
Under the GM deal, CATL would be responsible for building the production lines, supply chains, and other equipment while GM handles the CapEx.
GM CFO Paul Jacobson said the new Bolt EV will save the company billions by using LFP batteries.
Both automakers look to sidestep federal regulations requiring EV batteries to be produced in North America to qualify for a tax credit.
Electrek’s Take
If true, the news could be significant. For one, South Korean and Japanese battery makers dominate the North American market, with LG, Samsung SDI, SK, and Panasonic controlling 80% of the market.
However, these battery makers have largely missed the opportunity with LFP batteries while China’s CATL and BYD took control of the market. LFP batteries are cheaper to produce which could give automakers an advantage going forward.
Several automakers, including Ford and GM, have announced plans to introduce more affordable EVs as demand for lower-cost electric options climbs.
The Late Post claims CATL has reduced the cost of its batteries to 400 yuan ($55) per kWh, compared to 600 yuan ($83) per kWh with NCM batteries. This could translate to significant savings as American automakers look to cut costs and break even with EVs.
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CATL launches the world’s first LFP battery with 470+ miles range and 10-minute charging
The EV battery giant is unlocking more driving range and faster charging, but without the hefty price tag. CATL launched its new Shenxing Pro on Monday, the world’s first LFP battery with over 470 miles (558 km) WLTP driving range and ultra-fast charging in 10 minutes.
CATL launches world’s first LFP battery with more range
At the Munich Motor Show, the global leader in electric vehicle batteries made its presence known. CATL introduced its new Shenxing Pro, deeming it “the world’s first LFP battery to deliver a 758 km WLTP range.”
The extended driving range is only a piece of it, however. CATL’s new battery is safer and features a record-breaking 12-year, 1,000,000 km lifespan, all while promising to lower costs.
It’s also now the fastest-charging battery in Europe, with 12C peak charging speeds. In just 10 minutes, the new battery can add nearly 300 miles (478 km) WLTP range.
Even in frigid temperatures of –20°C (–4°F), CATL said its new battery can add over 250 miles (410 km) of driving range. When the battery is at a 20% state of charge (SOC), the Shenxing battery will deliver up to 830 kW, good for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 2.5 secs.
CATL’s new LFP battery is built to last. After driving 200,000 km (125,000 miles), it only loses about 9% of its capacity. Plus, it’s covered by a 10-year/ 240,000 km warranty.
The new Shenxing battery is the first to use CATL’s new NP 3.0 (No Propagation) technology, which offers “the world’s best-in-class safety performance.” Featuring its new Wave Cells tech, CATL claims it’s also the world’s first LFP battery that allows cooling systems from any direction.
— CATL (@catl_official) September 8, 2025
“With uncompromised range, charging, and durability, Shenxing Pro is the ultimate solution for electric mobility in Europe,” Dr. Lingbo Zhu, CTO of CATL’s International Business Unit, said at the event.
The new battery is part of CATL’s aggressive push into Europe. It’s already partnered with over 200 carmakers globally and more than 1,000 European suppliers, but it’s looking to play a bigger role. From simply exporting batteries, CATL aims to build them “in Europe, for Europe” in the early days, and eventually “of Europe,” it said, in the near future.
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Ford just gave buyers what they have finally been asking for: More range without the higher price tag. The new 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX delivers just that.
The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX packs more for less
The F-150 Lightning retook the title of America’s top-selling pickup from the Tesla Cybertruck earlier this year, widening its lead over the past few months.
For the 2026 model year, Ford is upping the ante and giving buyers what they want. Ford introduced a new STX trim for the 2026 F-150 Lightning lineup, a new entry-level model, but with more range.
The new variant replaces the current XLT model and brings some serious upgrades. Powered by dual electric motors, one on the front and the other mounted on the rear, the electric truck packs 536 horsepower (up from 452 hp in the outgoing XLT) and 775 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for an entry-level model.
It also features the larger, 123 kWh extended range battery, delivering an EPA-estimated 290 miles of range. That’s up from the 240 miles in the outgoing XLT model that used a 98 kWh battery pack.
Ford didn’t stop at that. It also raided the F-150 parts bin for some off-road upgrades. The new F-150 Lightning variant features off-road running boards from the Tremor, plus new wheels and all-terrain tires.
It still has the classic F-150 pickup look, but the STX gains a fresh new grille design and hood graphics to help it stand out.
On the inside, the new variant features STX embroidered seats and a standard heated steering wheel, you know, for those long Michigan winters (or anywhere nowadays, it seems).
You can choose from several new exterior color options, including Argon Blue, Marsh Gray, and a Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat.
Despite the upgrades, the new STX model will still have an MSRP of $63,345, the same as the outgoing XLT. Ford expects the STX variant to be one of the top-selling Lightning models next year. It will begin arriving at Ford dealerships across the US in early 2026.
With the 2026 model arriving soon, Ford is offering a few deals on current Lightning models you might be interested in. The 2025 F-150 Lightning XLT is listed for lease starting at just $258 per month right now. You can use our link to find offers on the Ford F-150 Lightning near you (trusted affiliate link).
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The Volkswagen ID.Cross delivers the ‘secret sauce’ as an affordable, sleek electric SUV
Is the ID.Cross the low-cost SUV we’ve been waiting for? The Volkswagen ID.Cross debuted at the Munich Motor Show with the “secret sauce” as an affordable, stylish new electric SUV.
Meet the Volkswagen ID.Cross, an affordable electric SUV
Volkswagen is gearing up to unleash a new family of affordable electric vehicles, including the ID.Cross, ID.Polo, and an even smaller, entry-level EV model.
As the all-electric sibling to its best-selling T-Roc, the ID.Cross arrives as what could be the most important Volkswagen EV to date.
Volkswagen showcased a near-production ID.Cross concept at the Munich Motor Show on Monday, boasting the new electric SUV has that “secret sauce” with a stylish new design and perhaps, more importantly, an affordable price tag.
Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen’s design boss, said the new design is based on three cornerstones: stability, likeability, and what he calls the “secret sauce,” which will be showcased on every upcoming model.
Volkswagen pulled design elements from some of its most iconic nameplates, including the Golf and minibus, as part of the new look.
Measuring 4,161 mm long, 1,839 mm wide, and 1,588 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,601 mm, the Volkswagen ID.Cross is about the size of the current T-Cross. Mindt said the electric SUV appears to be “smiling” with new graphics and a 3D light signature.
Although it’s a smaller SUV, Volkswagen promises it’s still an “all-rounder” with more interior space than you’d expect, with 450 liters of boot space.
The interior is designed as “a feel-good oasis,” according to Volkswagen. It features a lounge-style layout with new materials and various modes, including light, sound, and climate modes.
Two display screens, a 13″ infotainment and an 11″ driver display, sit at the center. Like the VW Bus, you can fold the seats completely flat to give you an open interior space.
Powered by a new version of its MEB platform, Mindt said the improvements are key to offering electric vehicles with “above-average” features at an affordable price.
The drive system features a 208 hp (155 kW) front-mounted electric motor. Although Volkswagen has yet to reveal final battery specs, it claimed the ID.Cross concept has up to 420 km (260 miles) WLTP driving range.
Adventure-seekers will appreciate its 1,200 kg max trailer weight and a ball coupling strong enough to carry two e-bikes (75 kg).
Volkswagen will unveil the production version next summer. It will follow the ID.Polo, set to debut in the first half of 2026. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but the new VW ID.Cross will sit below the ID.4, which starts at about €34,855 ($41,000) in Europe.
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