Tesla To Buy $2 Billion In LFP Batteries From Samsung SDI, GM Project Slowed - CleanTechnica

The article reports that General Motors (GM) has slowed construction of its $3.5 billion battery factory in New Carlisle, Indiana, due to an anticipated decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. This slowdown has resulted in layoffs of some workers, although exact numbers were not disclosed by GM or the primary contractor, Barton Malow. The factory, initially planned to produce nickel-rich prismatic batteries, may shift to manufacturing lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries instead, as manufacturers increasingly favor LFP technology due to its lower cost and safety advantages, despite its lower energy density. Construction continues at the site, with much of the steel framework completed and wall panel installation underway, but the factory’s completion timeline has been pushed from 2027 to later that year. The shift to LFP batteries aligns with broader industry trends, as LFP cells are less prone to thermal runaway (battery fires) and tolerate full charges better than nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC