US motor manufacturer GM said it and battery maker Microvast are to work to jointly develop electric vehicle separator technology.
They will build a new separator plant in the US, supported by a $200 million grant from the US Department of Energy’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing initiative.
GM will contribute its separator and coating technology to the collaboration with Microvast. The companies will work together to develop separator technology that can help improve EV safety, charging and battery life.
This technology is designed to enhance thermal stability of EV batteries and work with nearly all types of lithium-ion cells, including graphite, silicon, and lithium-metal anodes and nickel-rich, cobalt-free, lithium iron phosphate-type and high-voltage cathodes, it added.
“This collaboration with Microvast supports our ongoing efforts to develop a North American-focused EV supply chain and help put everyone in an EV,” said Kent Helfrich, GM chief technology officer.
The US government is focused on promoting a national- and jobs-oriented American battery industry.
The Department of Energy has selected GM for its Battery500 Consortium, which is being awarded $75 million for a second phase of research.
Led by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the consortium is a team of battery experts from national laboratories, academia and industry working to develop more reliable, affordable, longer range and higher performance EV batteries. GM is the only motor manufacturer selected, said GM.
