General Motors (GM) has hired a former Tesla employee to develop high-quality, cost-effective EV batteries to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible and profitable for GM.
GM announced on Thursday that Kurt Kelty, 59, has been hired as the Vice President of Battery Technology. He will begin his role on February 19th and report to GM CEO Mark Reuss, according to GM spokesperson Kevin Kelly.
Kelty will be responsible for GM’s battery cell strategy, including raw material usage, scientific research, technology development, battery commercialization, and end-of-life battery management, GM stated.
Kelty’s main challenge will be finding a way to lower battery costs while simultaneously delivering higher performance and scalability in EVs, making them profitable for GM. This is a critical task, as GM CEO Mary Barra recently stated that she expects GM’s EVs to become profitable this year. So far, electric vehicles have not brought in profits for GM, which earns revenue from selling highly valued gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs.
Reuss stated that GM’s existing foundation combined with Kelty’s battery development expertise, which includes battery chemistry, supply chain partnerships, and collaboration with leading battery systems teams, will help them achieve their electrification goals and solidify GM’s position as a leader in EV technology.
GM has committed to investing $35 billion by 2025, and Kelty’s hiring will strengthen the company’s position as a prominent automotive manufacturer, according to the company.
“For over 30 years, I have focused on the development and commercialization of battery technology that contributes to the transition to electric transportation,” Kelty said in a statement. “Working at GM provides an even greater opportunity to assist the industry in making this transition and have a lasting impact on our planet.”
Kelty led Tesla’s battery development team from 2006 to 2017, overseeing technical exchanges and commercial negotiations with battery cell suppliers and early-stage cell developers, according to GM. He also co-founded Tesla’s Gigafactory, one of the world’s largest producers of lithium-ion cells and EV components.
Kelty, who holds an MBA degree from Stanford University, has spent the last six years as a Vice President at Sila, a battery manufacturer, as stated on his LinkedIn profile. He was in charge of business development, battery cell production partnerships, and battery cell engineering, GM emphasized.
Kelty began working with lithium-ion batteries in 1993 at Panasonic, as mentioned by GM.
Contact Jamie L. LaReau: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Learn more about General Motors and sign up for our car newsletter. Subscribe.
FAQ:
1. Who has General Motors hired as the Vice President of Battery Technology?
General Motors has hired Kurt Kelty as the Vice President of Battery Technology.
2. What will be Kelty’s responsibilities in this role?
Kelty will be responsible for GM’s battery cell strategy, scientific research, technology development, battery commercialization, and end-of-life battery management.
3. What is Kelty’s biggest challenge?
His biggest challenge is reducing battery costs while delivering higher performance and scalability in electric vehicles to make them profitable for General Motors.
4. What are GM’s electrification goals?
GM has committed to investing $35 billion by 2025 and aims to strengthen its position as a leader in EV technology.
5. What is Kelty’s experience in batteries and EV technology?
Kelty led Tesla’s battery development team and co-founded Tesla’s Gigafactory. He has spent the last six years as a Vice President at Sila, a battery manufacturer.
Definitions:
EV – Electric Vehicle
GM – General Motors, an American car manufacturer
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
MBA – Master of Business Administration
Suggested Related Links:
General Motors website (https://www.gm.com/)
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The source of the article is from the blog motopaddock.nl