GM going to cylindrical batteries instead of pouches?

I wonder if they will fit in the standard ultium module or if this is already the beginning of the end of the "upgradeable battery module"

I'm dubious. The original source for the article is General Motors considering using cylinder batteries over pouch for EVs which cites absolute zero reasons to think any of this is the case, then InsideEVs connects this to a lack of forward progress on an Ultium battery plant that already has statements as to why there is little progress (LG's treatment of labor unions) from GM.

I'm dubious as well, Hellsop. In China, GM has Ultium bricks that contain a rolled/folded cell rather than the flat "blade" pouch. So there is some flexibility to how the inside of the brick is laid out.

Given that the whole thrust of the EV program is based on the Ultium platform, with one plant up and running and two more under construction, I don't see GM changing direction on that format. As has been discussed before, Ultium doesn't car what the battery is (even different chemistry, solid state) as long as it conforms to the platform.

I read the "original source". The operative word in that article is "was", as in General Motors WAS considering using cylindrical batteries.

Steverino said:

I'm dubious as well, Hellsop. In China, GM has Ultium bricks that contain a rolled/folded cell rather than the flat "blade" pouch. So there is some flexibility to how the inside of the brick is laid out.

Click to expand...

Precisely. What the cells inside the battery are and what they conform to is essentially irrelevant to an Ultium vehicle. The modules are the modules and the only measure that even the service department is going to care about is whether the software is updated.

obermd said:

I read the "original source". The operative word in that article is "was", as in General Motors WAS considering using cylindrical batteries.

Click to expand...

None of this makes InsideEVs alarmism and clickseeking any more legitimate, does it?

Here's a video showing GM's prismatic can which is a pouch that's been rolled up and placed in a can. Some, including Mary Barra have referred to this a "cylinder battery" but it's not the same as what people think of or what Tesla is using: