General Motors has confirmed plans to temporarily source lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from China’s CATL for its upcoming second-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV. The move comes as GM prepares to relaunch its most affordable electric vehicle.
Production of the new Bolt EV will begin later this year at GM’s Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.The vehicle will mark GM’s first Ultium-based model in North America to feature LFP battery chemistry.
GM said the use of CATL batteries will serve as a stopgap for approximately two years while it builds domestic LFP production capabilities. A joint venture with LG Energy Solution will convert the Spring Hill, Tennessee battery cell plant, aiming to start commercial LFP production by the end of 2027.
Despite significant U.S. tariffs on Chinese battery imports—currently around 80%—GM views the temporary arrangement as necessary to maintain affordability for its entry-level EV. The expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30 may mitigate competitive disadvantages for the Bolt.
GM emphasized that all twelve of its existing EV models—from the $35,000 Equinox EV to the $340,000 Cadillac Celestiq—use batteries made in the U.S., albeit with traditional nickel-based chemistries. Under new leadership of battery R&D headed by former Tesla executive Kurt Kelty, GM is shifting toward LFP for models including the Bolt, Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EV.
Industry analysts—such as Sam Abuelsamid from Telemetry—predict that, combined with other cost-cutting measures, the new Bolt equipped with Chinese-made batteries could still achieve marginal profitability for GM.
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