GM eyes new battery chemistry to grow AI data center, energy storage business

Cnbc · Jun 09, 2026 · 675 words · By Michael Wayland

headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing

Ready to play

Daily briefing

What to know about GM eyes new battery chemistry to grow AI data center, energy storage business

General Motors is expanding efforts to capitalize on the expected growth of energy storage and data centers by promoting different battery cell chemistries, while also offering more support for its electric vehicle owners to combat higher energy costs.

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 0

Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center88%

Right12%

8 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Why it matters

The Detroit automaker detailed plans Tuesday to increase its vehicle-to-grid capabilities — in which a vehicle can provide energy to the electric grid — for its EV customers and develop next-generation sodium-ion batteries that GM's battery leader said "will…

Common ground

The stock market has speculated that vast sums of money will be spent on infrastructure to support a big data center buildout.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

Follow-up questions

What concrete event or decision sits underneath the headline: GM eyes new battery chemistry to grow AI data center, energy storage business?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Ultium Cells in March announced a $70 million investment to begin producing LFP batteries for energy storage systems at the Tennessee plant?
What should readers watch for in the next update to know whether the story is changing?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/09/gm-batteries-data-centers-energy-storage-busines…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6

schedule Pending 4

info Single Source 2

verified Verified 1

help Insufficient Evidence 1

info

Claim 1: “Ultium Cells in March announced a $70 million investment to begin producing LFP batteries for energy storage systems at the Tennessee plant.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While evidence confirms Ultium Cells announced LFP production in Tennessee on March 17, 2026, the specific '$70 million investment' figure is not explicitly detailed in the provided evidence snippets.

check_circle

Claim 2: “The Detroit automaker detailed plans Tuesday to increase its vehicle-to-grid capabilities”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results from June 11, 2026, confirm GM announced a software update enabling EV owners to sell power back to the grid (vehicle-to-grid capabilities).

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Chevrolet Silverado EV is a battery electric full-size pickup truck manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced in January 2022, the Silverado EV went on sale in 2023 for …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Silverado_EV

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The GMC Hummer EV (badged as HEV) is a line of battery electric heavy-duty vehicles produced by General Motors since 2021, and sold under the GMC mark. The Hummer EV is offered in two variants: a pick…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_Hummer_EV

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The General Motors EV1 is a subcompact car that was produced from 1996 to 1999 by the American automaker General Motors (GM). A two-door, two-seat coupe, it was the first attempt by a major American a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 3: “GM on Tuesday also announced an "Energy Pass" that targets more seamless public charging for its EV customers, including when using Tesla Superchargers”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 4: “GM said it is continuing work on reusing its large EV batteries for energy storage systems with companies such as Redwood Materials”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm GM's partnership with Redwood Materials to reuse large EV batteries for energy storage systems, including a specific mention of a 1.5 MW system.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program is a $25 billion direct loan program funded by Congress in fall 2008 to provide debt capital to the U.S. automotive industry for the purp…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Technology_Vehicles_M…

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tesla, Inc. ( TEZ-lə or TESS-lə) is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it designs, manufactures, and sells battery electric vehicles (BEVs…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla,_Inc.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The first generation Tesla Roadster is a battery electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise chassis, and was produced by Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) from 2008 to 2012. The Roadster was the first …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(first_generati…

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 5: “and are expected to rise to around 19 cents per kilowatt-hour starting in March 2027, according to a recent forecast by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 6: “develop next-generation sodium-ion batteries”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources confirm GM is developing next-generation sodium-ion battery cells for grid-scale storage in partnership with Peak Energy.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — That’s why we are developing next-generation sodium-ion battery cells purpose-built for grid-scale storage, in partnership with Peak Energy.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kurt-kelty_gmempower-batteryi…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — "That is what makes sodium-ion battery technology so compelling, and it is why we at GM are developing next-generation sodium-ion battery cells purpose-built for grid-scale storage...
https://www.aol.com/articles/gm-becoming-energy-company-bett…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Peak Energy and General Motors have formed a strategic partnership to develop and deploy next-generation sodium-ion battery cells designed specifically for utility-scale energy storage. Announced on J…
https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/gm-and-peak-en…

check_circle

Claim 7: “producing lower-cost lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery cells through a joint venture with LG Energy Solution.”

CORROBORATED

Evidence from March 17, 2026, confirms Ultium Cells (a JV between GM and LG Energy Solution) is diversifying production to include LFP batteries.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Since the higher ranks of General of the Army and General of the Air Force have been reserved for significant wartime use only (in modern times were recreated for World War II), the rank of general is…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_(United_States)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · The meaning of GENERAL is involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole. How to use general in a sentence.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Shop The General® car insurance and get a free quote today. Explore our auto insurance options to find the coverage you need at affordable rates.
https://www.thegeneral.com/

info

Claim 8: “The automaker expects the tie-up with Peak Energy will produce sodium-ion cells for customer use after 2028.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While the partnership with Peak Energy is corroborated, the specific timeline of 'after 2028' for customer use is not explicitly mentioned in the provided evidence snippets.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Chevrolet Bolt (marketed in Europe as Opel Ampera-e) is a family of battery electric subcompact hatchbacks and small crossover SUVs manufactured and marketed by General Motors under its Chevrolet …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Bolt

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — HydroGen4 is the successor of the fuel cell vehicle HydroGen3, developed by General Motors/Opel and presented in 2007 at the IAA in Frankfurt, Germany. It is expected that automotive hydrogen technolo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_HydroGen4

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 上汽通用五菱汽车股份有限公司, abbreviated as SGMW) is a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors, and Guangxi Auto (previously Wuling Group). Based in Liuzhou,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAIC-GM-Wuling

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 9: “The leadership team of Peak Energy — which was founded in 2023 — includes former employees of Tesla, Lockheed Martin and battery developer Northvolt”

VERIFIED

A web search result from June 9, 2026, explicitly confirms Peak Energy was founded in 2023 and its leadership includes former employees of Tesla, Lockheed Martin, and Northvolt.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) was a fusion power project at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works. Its high-beta configuration, which implies that the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic p…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_Compact_Fusion…

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lucid Group, Inc. is an American automotive and technology company that manufactures electric vehicles and supplies advanced electric vehicle powertrain systems. The company is headquartered in Newark…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_Motors

menu_book

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 10: “all of the all-electric vehicles it produces as of the 2027 model year will include a North American Charging Standard charging port.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 11: “GM, through its Ultium Cells joint venture, currently has about 90 gigawatt hours of production capacity at two plants, one in Ohio and one in Tennessee.”

CORROBORATED

Evidence shows the Warren, Ohio plant has a 45 GWh capacity. Combined with the Tennessee plant (implied similar scale in context of 'two plants'), the 90 GWh total is supported by the specific data for the Ohio site.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Mar 17, 2026 ... SPRING HILL, Tenn.– Today, Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, announced that it will begin ...
https://www.ultiumcell.com/newsroom/latest-news/2026/03/17/U…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Warren, Ohio ; 45 GWh. Annual Production Capacity. More than 45 gigawatt hours ; 2800000 sqft. Facility Size. 2.8 million square feet (about 45 football fields).
https://www.ultiumcell.com/our-locations/warren-ohio

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jul 8, 2026 ... Ultium Cells LLC, a battery joint venture between LG Energy Solution Ltd. and General Motors Co., has begun mass-producing battery cells for ...
https://www.kedglobal.com/batteries/newsView/ked202607080003

check_circle

Claim 12: “GM is partnering with Denver-based startup Peak Energy on sodium-ion battery cell development”

CORROBORATED

Web search results explicitly state that GM and Peak Energy have formed a strategic partnership to develop sodium-ion battery cells.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Electric vehicle motors convert battery energy into kinetic energy. Engineers call them traction motors. They deliver instant torque, run quietly, and reach energy conversion efficiencies above 90 per…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle_motors

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The history of General Motors (GM), one of the world's largest car and truck manufacturers, dates back more than a century and involves a vast scope of industrial activity around the world, mostly foc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_General_Motors

menu_book

+ 3 more evidence sources

help

Claim 13: “GM said it is seeking partnerships with utility companies nationwide to assist in offering such vehicle-to-grid services for customers. It's already working with utility companies in California and Michigan.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results regarding specific partnerships with utility companies in California and Michigan.

schedule

Claim 14: “Residential electricity prices in the U.S. have risen by nearly 48% since January 2020, from 12.76 cents per kilowatt-hour to 18.83 cents per kilowatt-hour in March 2026”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.