General Motors (GM) has decided to hire Kurt Kelty, the former head of battery development at Tesla, as the Vice President of Battery. This newly created role aims to coordinate GM’s development resources to deliver affordable, cheaper, and more efficient electric vehicles on a mass scale for customers, according to the automaker’s press release.
Kurt Kelty was recently the Vice President of Sila, a battery manufacturer that contributed to the development of silicon anode technology, which will be used in the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz EQG SUV. Prior to that, Kelty led the battery development team at Tesla for 11 years, and played a key role in establishing the gigafactory in Nevada in collaboration with Panasonic. It was with this battery manufacturer that Kelty began his career in 1993.
“For over 30 years, I have focused on the development and commercialization of battery technology that will contribute to the transition to electric transportation,” Kelty said in a statement. “Working at GM gives me an even greater opportunity to help the industry and make an impact on our planet.”
GM’s production of electric vehicles powered by Ultium batteries has been progressing slowly, mainly due to battery availability. This has led to delays in meeting production targets and likely pushed back the introduction of cheaper EV models.
Meanwhile, GM CEO Mary Barra emphasized that the company is flexible in terms of batteries for its electric vehicle lineup. This led to the announcement of a new joint venture with Samsung last year, which will focus on the production of cylindrical batteries, possibly for use in more efficient and sporty vehicles. GM also acquired battery condition startup ALGOLiON last year and recently confirmed plans to invest $19 billion in raw materials sources for batteries from LG Chem by 2035.
In summary, the latest information indicates that the Chevrolet Equinox EV is expected to have a starting price of $34,995 and an estimated range of 319 miles, making it the cheapest model in the Ultium series. The next-generation Bolt EV will feature an LFP battery and is expected to be even more affordable. However, considering the tax credit for electric vehicles, none of these models can compete with the value offered by gasoline-powered cars.
FAQ About Kurt Kelty’s Employment at General Motors (GM)
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