GM joins race to build batteries for AI data centers and the grid

General Motors (GM) is developing a new sodium-ion battery chemistry, aiming to supply power for AI data centers and its own manufacturing facilities. This initiative represents a significant diversification for the automotive giant, moving beyond electric vehicles (EVs) into the energy storage sector. The company's Ultium Cells joint venture with LG Energy Solution is reportedly exploring this new battery technology. Sodium-ion batteries offer potential advantages over lithium-ion, including lower cost and greater abundance of raw materials, making them attractive for large-scale applications like grid storage and industrial power. GM's move signals a broader trend of major corporations investing in advanced battery technologies to support the rapidly growing demand for electricity driven by AI and other energy-intensive industries. The company has not yet disclosed specific performance metrics or a timeline for the commercialization of these sodium-ion batteries.