Full Breakdown
GM Targets Domestic Sodium-Ion Battery Supply Chain
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Announcement
At the “Empower” event on June 9, 2026, Kurt Kelty, General Motors’ vice president of battery and sustainability, said the automaker is beginning development of next-generation battery cells intended to lessen U.S. reliance on China. Kelty emphasized that the company is building a supply chain that will be domestic within the next two to three years, with the goal of sourcing all key materials and production locally for both stationary energy-storage systems (ESS) and future electric vehicles.
Partnership with Peak Energy
GM has teamed with Denver-based startup Peak Energy to create sodium-ion battery cells for ESS applications. The collaboration focuses on replacing China-dominant inputs such as lithium and ferrous sulfate with more abundant U.S. resources, notably sodium derived from soda ash. The partnership is positioned to support GM’s broader strategy of diversifying chemistries across its battery portfolio.
Timeline and Production Goals
- Short-term (2-3 years): Establish a fully domestic supply chain for battery cells, according to Kelty’s statements.
- Mid-term (around 2029): Commence commercial production of sodium-ion cells with Peak Energy.
- Ongoing: Continue manufacturing other battery chemistries for ESS and electric vehicles, though the exact proportion of Chinese-sourced materials remains undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're developing a supply chain such that, two years from now, three years from now, it will be domestic,” — Kurt Kelty, GM vice president of battery and sustainability
These remarks underscore GM’s intent to shift critical battery manufacturing to U.S. facilities, aiming to secure material availability and reduce geopolitical supply risks.
