GM taps ex-Tesla battery chief to deliver cheaper EVs sooner

General Motors has hired former Tesla battery-development boss Kurt Kelty as its recent vp of batteries.

On this newly-created position, Kelty will likely be tasked with bringing together GM’s development resources “to more quickly deliver profitable, lower-cost, higher performing electric vehicles to customers at scale,” and can report on to GM president Mark Reuss, the automaker said in a press release.

Kelty was most recently vp of battery firm Sila, helping to push adoption of that company’s silicon anode tech that is slated to be used within the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG electric SUV. Prior to that, Kelty led the battery development team at Tesla for 11 years and drove the creation of that automaker’s Nevada “Gigafactory” with Panasonic, which was also the corporate that got Kelty began with lithium-ion batteries, in 1993.

“For greater than 30 years, I have been focused on helping develop and commercialize battery technologies that can aid within the transition to electric transportation,” Kelty said in an announcement. “Joining GM creates an excellent larger opportunity to assist the industry make the switch and have an enduring impact on our planet.”

GM’s production ramp on its Ultium-powered EVs has been going very slowly, reportedly as a consequence of supply of batteries. That is caused GM to miss production targets and certain pushed the launch of more-affordable EVs farther out.

2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Meanwhile, GM CEO Mary Barra has underscored that the corporate is flexible on battery cells in its EV ramp. That led to the announcement last yr that a brand new three way partnership with Samsung will make cylindrical batteries—perhaps good for lower-profile, more efficient vehicles, or sports cars. GM also last yr acquired the battery-health startup ALGOLiON, and earlier this week it confirmed plans to spend $19 billion on sourcing battery raw materials from LG Chem through 2035.

As of yet, the Chevy Equinox EV is as a consequence of start at $34,995, with an estimated 319 miles of range, making it the lowest-cost Ultium EV announced up to now. The following-generation Bolt EV could have an LFP battery pack and is predicted to cost lower than that. EV tax credit aside, neither of those models quite challenge the worth of internal-combustion vehicles.