GM is betting on battery cells that don’t use lithium

General Motors (GM) announced a strategic partnership with Peak Energy on March 18, 2024, to develop next-generation sodium-ion battery cells. This collaboration will focus on battery cells designed for grid-scale energy storage projects, rather than electric vehicles (EVs). GM Ventures, the automaker's investment arm, is making a significant investment in Peak Energy to accelerate the development and deployment of this technology. The partnership aims to leverage sodium-ion chemistry, which offers potential advantages in cost and material availability compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This move signals GM's broader strategy to invest in diverse energy storage solutions beyond its EV battery supply chain. Peak Energy is known for its work in developing advanced battery chemistries for stationary energy storage applications. The investment by GM Ventures underscores the growing interest in non-lithium battery technologies for large-scale energy infrastructure.